Are you happy with your LED's???

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

I dont see many people replacing MH bulbs twice a year, i see many people replacing MH bulbs every 16-18 month.

Most MH lamps will depriciate 50-60% of lumens by 50% of lamp life (dependant on brand, and yes you will find that the MFR will try to hide that and post better findings). So what one person does for lamp change will be different than another. I changed mine 6-8 months, while you do it 16-18 months, to each their own. If you look at a statement like Aquattro, he will keep his MH for 10 more years. Figure out your lamp replacement and Electric/hydro and figure out if you can pay it off in 10 years. Either you justify it or you dont.

Originally Posted by sphelps

This really is irrelevant, like I said earlier you can beet this argument to death as everyone has a different example of how much they spend on bulbs and energy and how much they would invest in a new fixture, also have to consider if they are replacing a fixture or setting up 100% as used fixtures can pull in some cash to speed up the return but regardless completely dependent on each person.

That is really the bottom line. Each person will justify LED one way or the other. Either you see a pay off or not. Like the look or not etc.

[abcha0s]

Least we forget that it's worth paying more for a superior solution. It is not necessary to recover costs or break even. Better is simply better.

- Brad

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by abcha0s@conceptaquatics

Least we forget that it's worth paying more for a superior solution. It is not necessary to recover costs or break even. Better is simply better.

- Brad

Couldn't agree more. I have no concerns over what I'm going to spend over the next 5 years, for me, it's MH all the way. It's what I like, it works for my setup, I've had great success and I have no reason to change. Better is simply better!

[Rice Reef]

I am staying with MH at this time as the LED tech is changing so fast and being still relatively new, I am still not totally convinced of it's reliabllity. Everyone says that they are good for 5 years but I do not see the warranty reflecting that. In addition, with the price of LED dropping (especially from things coming out of Asia) I am willing to wait it out.

[nlreefguy]

For me, though, I have to say that heat was the biggest problem I had with metal halides. LEDs fixed that problem for me. Now you can say it is poor system design etc, but in the end I kept my system exactly as it is and just replaced MH with LED and no more temp problems.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

For me, though, I have to say that heat was the biggest problem I had with metal halides. LEDs fixed that problem for me. Now you can say it is poor system design etc, but in the end I kept my system exactly as it is and just replaced MH with LED and no more temp problems.

seeing yours fred opened my eyes to led i must say you have amazing growth and beautiful colour.i also learned a couple things mainly that if your gonna diy do it right the first time i hope youll help me with mine when i get them

[chewie]

I know this thread is about aquarium specific LED systems but I just cannot come up with the $ for a complete set up. I am currently running mh on both my systems, have a fan built into canopy on both and have no problem with temp. I am however going try some cheap led strip lights from ikea to compliment my atinics. Going with this one to see how diferent colors look in the tank, maybe as moon lights.

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50192365

Will update on my opinion of them once installed

[nlreefguy]

Very true, I built mine in stages and it is less than optimal but I'm still happy with it. I sure will help you when you get yours.... no problem. I just love building them and seeing the end result from doing something with your own hands that everyone is happy with.

Originally Posted by reefwars

seeing yours fred opened my eyes to led i must say you have amazing growth and beautiful colour.i also learned a couple things mainly that if your gonna diy do it right the first time i hope youll help me with mine when i get them

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by parkinsn

Most MH lamps will depriciate 50-60% of lumens by 50% of lamp life (dependant on brand, and yes you will find that the MFR will try to hide that and post better findings).

Would you be so kind to post a reference link to your statement ?
I remember not too long ago there was a discussion on here and some good references just to the contrary. That MH bulbs only loose 20-25% in 12 months.

[intarsiabox]

If the corals are still just as colorful, growing and no algae problems then I don't see the need to change a bulb at a fixed interval just because somebody says I have to. Every bulbs life is going to be different based on mfg, hour usage, temperature control, brand of fixture they're in, etc. This were I don't agree with LED mfg's using short bulb life of non-led's to help justify their high prices in their marketing schemes showing how much money you will save every year on bulb changes.