Show Us Your LED Tanks

[sphelps]

Another topic to discuss relating to LEDs is resale. Many of us constantly change our tanks out for bigger or smaller versions and sometimes sh** happens and we need to sell it all or most of it. So how will LED fixtures do in the used market?

Since LED fixtures can in theory last 10+ years how will one confirm the life remaining on the LEDs? With halide and T5 fixtures bulbs are typically replaced anyway to be on the safe side since they aren't too expensive.

If you buy a fixture today for $4K how much can you realistically sell it for in a few years? Since solaris fixtures are one of the few that have been around for long enough I would opt to use that as a guideline although the prehaps not the best example but when they came out reviews were still on average pretty good. The fixtures cost over $3K when they came out, recently seen people trying to sell them for around $600-$700 with little luck.

If you build your own fixture I think your chances of selling it for close to what you paid are significantly lower, although a simple system to the builder the buyer will see something significantly more complicated and may be concerned about integrity, especially when DIY controllers are also introduced. Those with LED experience will see more value but will most likely opt to build their own rather than buy someone elses.

Halide and T5 fixtures can sell for a reasonable amount, especially lower end fixtures that didn't cost that much new such as TEKs and PFOs. I purchased a used giesemann fixture a few years back, with new bulbs that fixture was as good as new, I'm confident I could sell that fixture for pretty much the same price I paid and the buyer would simply stick in new bulbs and the fixture again would be as good as new. Can the same be said about LED fixtures?

[mseepman]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Another topic to discuss relating to LEDs is resale.

If you build your own fixture I think your chances of selling it for close to what you paid are significantly lower, although a simple system to the builder the buyer will see something significantly more complicated and may be concerned about integrity, especially when DIY controllers are also introduced. Those with LED experience will see more value but will most likely opt to build their own rather than buy someone elses.

Funny enough, I've been really researching the DIY LED side of things as I will be building my own and of the various setups that have been made via the detailed threads on RC and NR, a lot of them have been sold for more than they cost. Their reason for selling...to make bigger and fancier ones of course...that's what DIYer's do.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mseepman

Funny enough, I've been really researching the DIY LED side of things as I will be building my own and of the various setups that have been made via the detailed threads on RC and NR, a lot of them have been sold for more than they cost. Their reason for selling...to make bigger and fancier ones of course...that's what DIYer's do.

That's strange cause a quick search on RC shows nothing of the sort

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led

Perhaps this was a special circumstance from a reputable builder on RC? I can see someone that people would consider an expert and has spectacular build quality could sell their DIY fixtures for a decent amount in comparison to the cost of parts alone but for us average Joes, I doubt it.

[mseepman]

Originally Posted by sphelps

That's strange cause a quick search on RC shows nothing of the sort

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&highlight=led

Perhaps this was a special circumstance from a reputable builder on RC? I can see someone that people would consider an expert and has spectacular build quality could sell their DIY fixtures for a decent amount in comparison to the cost of parts alone but for us average Joes, I doubt it.

I hadn't even looked at the FS forum on RC, I was simply talking about some of the long DIY threads where I've followed the builder through multiple renditions of their light (as they sell each one to help pay for the next build).

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Another topic to discuss relating to LEDs is resale. Many of us constantly change our tanks out for bigger or smaller versions and sometimes sh** happens and we need to sell it all or most of it. So how will LED fixtures do in the used market?

Since LED fixtures can in theory last 10+ years how will one confirm the life remaining on the LEDs? With halide and T5 fixtures bulbs are typically replaced anyway to be on the safe side since they aren't too expensive.

Many fixtures do allow you to replace leds. Aqua illuminations sells their led pucks incase one expires and maxspect you can change out each individual one with a variety of colors now if you choose. i think Vertex is getting into this idea as well with their newer auxiliary models.

I agree that there are a few fixtures and some DIY unit that are going to be inhibited by this problem but i can see a lot more companies in the led market giving the consumer the ability to customize the fixture.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Many fixtures do allow you to replace leds. Aqua illuminations sells their led pucks incase one expires and maxspect you can change out each individual one with a variety of colors now if you choose. i think Vertex is getting into this idea as well with their newer auxiliary models.

I agree that there are a few fixtures and some DIY unit that are going to be inhibited by this problem but i can see a lot more companies in the led market giving the consumer the ability to customize the fixture.

Yes I know, most fixtures being produced now have replaceable LEDs, but for how much? My point was you can replace a couple halides and T5s for around $200-$300 depending on the type and quantity. You can also usually get an idea on how old T5 bulbs and halide bulbs are by their brightness and color. LEDs are a little trickier and at probably around $10 per LED depending on the manufacturer you could end up spending close to $1000 for a 4 foot fixture.

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Yes I know, most fixtures being produced now have replaceable LEDs, but for how much? My point was you can replace a couple halides and T5s for around $200-$300 depending on the type and quantity. You can also usually get an idea on how old T5 bulbs and halide bulbs are by their brightness and color. LEDs are a little trickier and at probably around $10 per LED depending on the manufacturer you could end up spending close to $1000 for a 4 foot fixture.

Yea i agree they are expensive at the moment. i think a puck with three leds from AI runs about $25 USD. But like everything as more products become available price should start to fall.

Aside from DIY LED are still in their infancy compared to MH and T5. we need those early adopters to to weed out the crap. haha

[mseepman]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

we need those early adopters to to weed out the crap. haha

Haha...well who knows if I will end up regretting my decision to go LED...but I'm invested now and my research suggests that it will be well worth it.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Yea i agree they are expensive at the moment. i think a puck with three leds from AI runs about $25 USD. But like everything as more products become available price should start to fall.

Aside from DIY LED are still in their infancy compared to MH and T5. we need those early adopters to to weed out the crap. haha

Yeah I agree however special puck LEDs like those in AI will likely not drop in price unless the company allows other manufactures to make them which is doubtful as the replacement LEDs will be a good source of revenue in the future. They could also change the design in new fixtures 10 years from now so I would worried about being able to purchase such a unique replacement in the distant future.

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Yeah I agree however special puck LEDs like those in AI will likely not drop in price unless the company allows other manufactures to make them which is doubtful as the replacement LEDs will be a good source of revenue in the future. They could also change the design in new fixtures 10 years from now so I would worried about being able to purchase such a unique replacement in the distant future.

I agree with that as well. but you also have to think about other companies making aftermarket products for one fixture. this is a broad (VERY broad) example but look at all of the different MH and T5 bulbs available to the consumer. The quality of the bulbs are all over the map too. I expect as more fixtures are available more companies will come out with fixtures or replacement part which will cater to people different price points.

like you said the fixtures will only change over the next period of time while the people and companies settle on (by sales) a system that works for everyone.

I have been trying to hold out on adopting LED's for that reason but i do like the results i have seen so far with them and i am a sucker for the technology in them. i wish dimmable t5's and Mh made a bigger splash in the market.