Show Us Your LED Tanks

[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.

[Lego]

Thanks to the people that have showed some photos with LED setups. Great post Lampshade!

Some are Pro LED, Some are Dead against it and some are sitting on the fence.

It reminds me when I had seen tanks 20 years ago with Canister filters like Fluval, Mag Drive and Hot mags for filters... it was skimmer what?? Back then... Granted there were some skimmers out there but it was like finding a hens tooth... kind of like the LED right now.

No one really knows if they are the cats ass yet.

I would just remind some people forget the cost of them... Everyone keeps going back to the 2-$3k LED setups. I said it before Vertex has a setup for about $500 coming out for tanks up too 6'. the 4' bar is the $500 range. Now the lighting cost is coming with-in reason. No fancy controller but nor does a MH of any kind. If you have something that does have this fancy controller can you show me this thing?? I'm sure it would popular.