Generic this LED vs that LED opinion request.

[gobytron]

So...

I'm going to put some LED's into my RSM 130.

Even though the growth is great with the stock lighting, the colour just doesn't make me feel like the cash spent on corals these days is worth while.

I recently was over at Wheelman's place and bought a few things...taking them home and putting them into my tank really just made me realize how much more value you get from corals when you have the led glow.

I was sort of sold on Steves LED
http://shop.stevesleds.com/Red-Sea-M...8794102442.htm

At around 400 bucks shipped to my door.

Then the AI Prime came out, and now I am looking at it wondering if for about 275 bucks, that might be the way to go.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ID=ld-aifhyprb

Steves LED fits right into the canopy with minimum modification.

The AI prime will require some minor hood mods.

Anyone care to share their experience or opinion?

[Madreefer]

I'll chime in.
There is no comparison between LED, MH and T5. LEDs just don't get the corals colours to pop like the other two. Ask Brad

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Ask Brad

Leave me out of this. I had my run at LED this week already

[gobytron]

This is fairly subjective.

I always say that nothing makes corals look as good as the old 110 watt VHO 454 T12's did...

LED's have also come a long, long way in the last 5 years.

Remember the PFO Solaris?

Frankly, I would never drop 1000's of dollars on an emerging technology, which is what LED is for the aquarium trade.

All those guys and gals who dropped 1,2,3,4 or even 5 grand on a light that is how horrifically outdated were all necessary in getting this stuff to the point where it is being mass produced overseas....which is where we are now and why the technology is evolving so much faster now and at the same time, getting cheaper.

I have been watching LED come on for a while and it is really only within the last year or two that the quality of light seems to come pretty close to T5/MH.

[MKLKT]

I ordered a kit from RapidLED for my RSM130, currently being shipped so I will be setting it up pretty soon. I had a handful of extra 700mA LEDs so I ended up getting an extra driver so I'll have ~50% more than the kit usually would. I got the 'full spectrum' kit that has 1 red, 1 green and a few UV LEDs in addition to the White/Blue mix.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by MKLKT

I ordered a kit from RapidLED for my RSM130, currently being shipped so I will be setting it up pretty soon. I had a handful of extra 700mA LEDs so I ended up getting an extra driver so I'll have ~50% more than the kit usually would. I got the 'full spectrum' kit that has 1 red, 1 green and a few UV LEDs in addition to the White/Blue mix.

Right on...

Mind if I ask what you paid and why you went with this kit?

I like how Steves LEDs give you the option of the, building it for 95 bucks....you also get a few snazzy upgrades for paying the extra too.

Are you just running stock lighting now?