LED advice

[bkelly]

Hi
I am looking into a LED fixture for my tank. Our electricity bill has really gone up so this decision may help significantly. Am I on the right track thinking my current fixture ( six T5s and Two 250 MHs) with a PFO magnetic ballast , plus running a chiller (1/2 hp with a 1200 GPH pump) would be using lots of power and what would you think by putting a LED fixture that could support my tank full of SPS. tank dimensions 4feetx3feet x2 feet. What sort of fixture do you suggest . Is this a direction that would really lower my electricity needs?

- Guess I need to know if Id be able to stop running my chiller and is LED efficient on electricity over T5/MH plus what type to buy.
Thanks for any help.
Brent

[Milad]

Hi
I am looking into a LED fixture for my tank. Our electricity bill has really gone up so this decision may help significantly. Am I on the right track thinking my current fixture ( six T5s and Two 250 MHs) with a PFO magnetic ballast , plus running a chiller (1/2 hp with a 1200 GPH pump) would be using lots of power and what would you think by putting a LED fixture that could support my tank full of SPS. tank dimensions 4feetx3feet x2 feet. What sort of fixture do you suggest . Is this a direction that would really lower my electricity needs?

- Guess I need to know if Id be able to stop running my chiller and is LED efficient on electricity over T5/MH plus what type to buy.
Thanks for any help.
Brent

Ive switched to DIY LEDs and didnt run the chiller this year. There was about 7 days where the temp went above 82degrees in my tank. I had about 800w of lighting before and now im down to (300ish) and probably have twice the light/growth.

[sphelps]

What's your budget? Not many fixtures that can spread 3 feet to cover front to back of your tank so might be looking at doubling up.

[Aquattro]

I run a 1/2HP chiller and with MH it ran much of the 12 hours my lights were on. Now with LED it's rarely comes on, but does once in a while. In BC the cost of power isn't huge, especially in short term when you look at the cost of covering your tank. With my lights, (AI Sol), you'd probably need 9 of them @ $400 each. Most single fixtures won't cover the width, so pendants would be needed, or 2 fixtures. The cost can be all over the place though, depending on what you go with for brand and design.

[sphelps]

9 brad? I was thinking more like 6.

[sphelps]

A couple fixtures to consider

6 x Sols or Vegas -> $2400-$3000 -> 432W-570W
2 x Sunbrite F-Series -> $2200 -> 480W
4 x Radions -> ~$2600+ -> 560W
2 x GHL Mitras -> $2400 -> 380W (might need three but two has enough spread)
2 x Vertex 260 -> $4800 -> 640W
2 x Vertex 360 -> $5800 -> 680W

[Aquattro]

9 brad? I was thinking more like 6.

Sorry, you're right. I was thinking 6' long, not 4. 6 units would do it.

[bkelly]

thanks guys, My tank is set up with the bulk of the SPS under the MHs , in the center and back 1/3 of the tank with less light sensitive corals in the front 1/3 of the tank , all SPS are up on the rocks , clams LPS on the bottom mostly. would using one Vertex 260 fixture be enough, budget is a factor. Would I look at the 4 foot fixture for that model.
My electric bill has risen close to $200/month form what it was with this system, im thinking these main systems are the cause.

[Aquattro]

The bulk of that 200 isn't going to be the lights and chiller. You might save 30/month or so on the bill.
A Vertex 260 is nice, and I think one of the better units, but you can get decent LED for less cost. If you can afford the Vertex, then sure, but they're pricey!

[claymax]

keep diy in mind as well, no better bang for your buck! it could very well save you ~1200$. it does however require some creativity and hands on skills to make it look pretty.

[sphelps]

If you're on a budget the vertex is certainly not the fixture you should be considering, seems strange that's the fixture you would consider over other options being the most expensive. I also don't think one fixture will give you good results even if with your coral layout. One vertex is $2400 while two sunbrites are $2200, having two fixtures will allow full coverage plus you can run the back at a lower output. 6 sols or 4 radions would also be a better than one vertex, both are only $200 more than the single vertex at $2600 for the set.

[Reef_Geek]

I just added a second light to my 36 x 18 x 24

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430761_10151345255537953_454412133_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378391_10151345255607953_505778592_n.jpg

These are the Innovative Marine 92 watt dual spectrum tablet Skkye Lights. Got this brand because I found one unit used online for only $220. Got the other one new in town for $525... dollar cost averaging made these cost $372.50 a piece... just a little less than AI sols

[nrosdal]

Brent,

I saw that you sold that beauty of a t5/mh fixture you had.

What did you end up going with for a new fixture? or did you figure out that you could put in a skylight upstairs and just buy a bunch of mirrors? :mrgreen:

[bkelly]

I got a vertex 260 3 foot LED, im happy with it just concerned for my corals as they adjust plus trying to figure the expert mode programming. coverage seems good for my 4x3 tank area

[nrosdal]

good to hear that it worked out, i had no idea a 3ft fixture would cover such a large area. You should treat us to some pics when ya get a chance.

[bkelly]

heres my tank now with the Vertex fixture, corals still adjusting the way my rock work is as towers with my 4x closed loop hidden inside from the base creates some darker areas but im finding good for specific corals