LED'S for dummies

[Drinkmorewater]

I recently saw LED's in person on a MR members tank and was blown away. This tank only had the night time LED's but I was interested to know about using LED's to replace MH or T5.

I was in Home Depot who sells a simple 6 light small fixture (maybe 18") for only $40. I'm sure it isn't that simple as I sometimes see posts on MR with intricate drawings and notes about someones LED setup.

All that being said can someone provide the basic LED options for a total beginner? If so that would be amazing. If you could add how the different light spectrum and wattage levels work (or guidelines) that too would be really helpful. Finally, can anyone speak to the energy efficiency of running LED's? How much will this reduce an electric bill over MH?

Thanks in advance!

 

[NanoAquatic]

If you are looking for LEDs that will replace your Metal Halides, a $40 stuff at Home Depot would definitely not cut it. They are not grow lights, it only provides light for people to see. With that said, if you want to replace Metal Halides you would want fixtures that are made to be used with Aquariums. Most high-end LED lights, such as Acan Lighting company or Elos, etc. are freakishly expensive. They are dimable, which could be a cool thing, but on a personal note, i think it's pointless.

The most affordable one that quite a few MR members here use is EcoRay 60D. Each fixture runs on 60watts compared to a 250watt Metal Halide. The PAR level is stronger than a 250metal halide, even at 24" depth, EcoRay 60D reads 500 on PAR level. Consumes heck-of-a lot less energy than MH. Careful not to get EcoRay 60 because EcoRay 60D is the newer version. The regular, older, version of EcoRay 60 (notice it's without the "D"), has only one powercord which doesn't allow you to control blue and white light. EcoRay 60D on the otherhand, let's you control both blue and white with two powercords, all you need is a timer. Hope that helps. Was I detailed enough? My finger hurts lol

 

[Drinkmorewater]

Thanks a lot for the response.

Any idea on a vendor who sells the ECORAY 60D? If I have a deep 32" tank how do I know what I need?

Does anyone know how long it takes to return the investment of the light with the power savings?

 

[Creeper Reefer420]

Will sells them take a look...

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/wills-water-world/79609-new-ecoray-led-lighting-system.htmlhttp://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/wills-water-world/79609-new-ecoray-led-lighting-system.htm

 

[tonep]

I believe Wingo also sells them.
I just got two Maxspec fixture which are pretty nice but with a 32" deep tank I'm not sure if they would work.

 

[exodus32]

+1 on EcoRay 60D. Good investment

 

[prattreef]

I highly recommend you check out this great LED Primer by Jake Adams from the latest issue of Reefs Magazine:

http://www.reefsmagazine.com/showthread.php?t=82622