The point wasn't to compare fixture cost at all, only that LEDs can use substantially less power even with the added heater duty cycle considered. Something a few people have asked me.

PS, I didn't get the Mitras to save money and personally don't think you should buy LEDs for the purpose of saving money cause in all reality you probably won't save anything :wink: But that wasn't the point here.

Yes


No

Then why this line? ;)

I am not planning an LED upgrade any time soon as I am happy with my HQI setup (upcoming summer temps might change that thought), but I truly enjoyed reading your findings and find them very informative.

As a matter of fact, I don't believe anyone else has done a similar mini-study, so THANK YOU for taking the time to perform, document and share with the rest of us.

I presume he meant you will most likely upgrade to LEDs for the purposes of dropping temperature for example.

I said probably which doesn't mean they won't save you money and that's just a personal opinion, far from fact. Quite simply put the potential is certainly there but whether most will be able to take advantage by sticking with the same fixture for long enough is debatable. Again the real point was additional heat isn't a huge factor and if it is it's something that can be minimized.

Yap that's the whole point of LED. Save your reef during the summer and the versatility and aesthetics that LEDs give :)

People tend to upgrade before the break-even point (4 years on average) and hence the "not" unless you use DIY leds or generic chinese $200 LEDs which, I hear, is damn good for the price. :razz:

Maybe that's just your whole point to LED? Mine was solely to reduce evaporation. Nothing more. Sure, they're growing on me, but my point was not your point. And yes, I'll save money as I was changing 3 Radium bulbs every 9 months.

Yes it's a debatable topic, which is why Kiens translation was accurate because it goes both ways (just like Kien) and yours is inaccurate because it only goes one way to state LEDs will not save you many.