Show Us Your LED Tanks

[amoreira]

Wow! Nice pics with the Illumina 200. That looks like a PAR monster. I hear the 260 is even stronger.

I like my MH, but they sure give off a lot of heat. In the summer that can be problematic and expensive with a chiller. I use fans. They're effective if directed to blow over the surface of the DT. They're noisy and a bit of an eyesore.

I've decided to dump the MH to cut down on electricity and for the features that LED's offer (dimmable!). I'm waiting for an Aquaillumination SOL Blue unit. With this one I can simulate sunrise/sunset and storms. Every dinner time, I'll have the tank experiencing an electrical storm (the DT is right beside the dinner table). I can tie it into my Neptune Apex controller and have some fancy timers set up for such things.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by amoreira

I'm waiting for an Aquaillumination SOL Blue unit.

I looked at one of these the other night, and wasn't impressed. The spacing on the bulbs causes a flicker between the blue and white lights in the shimmer you get through the water. Also, the indivudual pods of lights were too far apart, causing different areas of brightness, even over individual corals near the surface.
I also looked at a DIY light and was much more impressed.

[Madreefer]

Good discussion and off topic is good too, keep up the "debate". I too am for MH and I have seen a tank with the Vertex LED and was not impressed. The pics that Dogfather put up look great! Lets see some more from others please.

[lastlight]

Depending on where your tank is you might actually WANT the heat from a mh setup. My basement is always very cold and I'm sure those terribly dated bulbs are going to help heat my tank. I don't think I'll even come close to needing a chiller but we'll see.

Up since the summer, corals are ok, i'd like to see more blue but Ecoxotic are apparently in the stages of getting something controllable out.


Ocean Aquatics

[Kevotron]

I have a 8 bulb t5 and in the process of upgrading to LED...
thought about going with MH, but a 6 foot 3 x 250W MH fixture is already ~$1500, add in ballast ~$400, 3 MH bulbs say $120 each and 4 x T5 bulbs @ $22 each
that is already ~$2500 for the whole set up.
every year to year and half another $400 for bulb changes + electricity cost
within 2-3 yrs it already pays for a $4000 LED fixture.

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I looked at one of these the other night, and wasn't impressed. The spacing on the bulbs causes a flicker between the blue and white lights in the shimmer you get through the water. Also, the indivudual pods of lights were too far apart, causing different areas of brightness, even over individual corals near the surface.
I also looked at a DIY light and was much more impressed.

Brad, does some one here on the island have one? I wanted to take a look at one in person for some comparisons.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Brad, does some one here on the island have one? I wanted to take a look at one in person for some comparisons.

Ya, Gareth's mother-in-law has one.

[Lego]

I think madreefer was talking about me... all good. Here is how the conversation sparked. I have a 120g 4' x 2' x 2'. I have a ballast that is no good anymore. so I need a ballast.... I also need bulbs as I am due for new bulbs... I would need two... Most likely need a new pendant for my new ballast I have to replace... maybe... maybe not.

But lets pretend for argument I'm a newbie and I have to get new stuff to get my tank running.

$70 for a bulb
$130 for a pendant
$140 for a ballast
_________
$340 for 250w setup on the cheaper end......

4' tank I should be running 2... so I'm $680 now.

Vertex is just releasing in Feburary a new LED setup that is $500 or $580ish can't remember right off the top of my head for the 4' bar. No controller to make a pretty lighting storm as I wouldn't care for that anyways. Also a MH can't do that unless were starting them up for the split second you might get one

I can also add more bars if need be.... 60,000hrs of life 2 year warranty.

I think the cost is coming inline as in start up costs.

Now let pretend cost isn't the concern right now... just the growth of a health aquarium we are all suppose to have I don't like killing corals and it is also killing my pocket book

Who is seeing growth from the LED lights?? how long have you had them? can you show a photo? Just to help us on the fence people. I believe in MH but looking for a longer term light.

[Jackie]

Left: Weipro LED
Middle: KEY Aquarium LED
Right: Marineland Reef LED