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Aquattro 10-20-2012 02:56 PM

Ideas for LED supplementation
 
So I've decided that something needs to be done to bring back some lost color due to switching to LED. I've read threads elsewhere of people reporting the same thing with various brands, so it's more a technology limitation, and so far the only real fix I've found is going back to MH or T5.
But, has anyone come across any added light (UV, Violet, Red, etc) that has helped bring back lost colors? I know it's a limited number of people that have switched from a mature HM/T5 tank to LED, but what are your thoughts and experience with this?

sphelps 10-20-2012 03:05 PM

I added red, green, NW, yellow and UV LEDs before I was happy with the color in my tank. I found the biggest issue related to white LEDs washing out many colors, adding the red and green LEDs will create a RGB color effect allowing to cut back on white output. This made the most dramatic effect, the UVs did nothing IMO.

Blue and White (especially cool white) are just not enough to create a good color spectrum for all coral color.

don.ald 10-20-2012 03:11 PM

I am in the same boat. I ran 6 t5s and switched to 3 sol units and I still run 4 t5s to supplement the LEDs to get a look I want:cry:

Aquattro 10-20-2012 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don.ald (Post 756524)
I am in the same boat. I ran 6 t5s and switched to 3 sol units and I still run 4 t5s to supplement the LEDs to get a look I want:cry:

Which bulbs?

Aquattro 10-20-2012 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps (Post 756523)
I added red, green, NW, yellow and UV LEDs before I was happy with the color in my tank.

sounds all very complicated :)

don.ald 10-20-2012 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro (Post 756527)
Which bulbs?

Fiji purple and some KZ actinic blue?

Anyone have any feedback on these??
http://www.modularled.ca/36-panorama-marine/

PurpleMonkey 10-20-2012 06:36 PM

What light fixture are you using? Which white LEDs?

sphelps 10-20-2012 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro (Post 756528)
sounds all very complicated :)

It's as complicated as you make it, you can purchase LED tube lights that will be no different than adding T5 lighting except you can strictly add just the colors you're looking for.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/868/4...478868_342.jpg

Adding T5s becomes counterproductive when you've already switched to LEDs, if you're tank is 6ft and you're running a large amount of LEDs you're looking at adding around 6 to 8 36" T5s to make a noticeable difference, that could be as much as another 300W of light plus bulb changes.

Doug 10-20-2012 06:52 PM

That will teach you to switch from the halides you vowed to never leave. :lol:

On a serious note, mine are also lightning up since adding my new led fixture. My SWC led, which is also just white and blue, was giving me good colour. Not sure if its because of more white as you guys say or what.

Even if I add the other led fixture back and run both, its still just white and blue I guess. May look at a strip like Steve mentioned.

subman 10-20-2012 07:04 PM

Its really a limitation of the fixtures you bought not leds. The radions and Vegas provide full spectrum (at least closer to it) as they have more than blue and white leds. I am currently using all three and I can adjust the colors to be whatever I want.


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