LED Intensity

[troni]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

there is also the factor that constantly running an LED at 100% will cut its lifespan almost in half.

its lifespan is determined by running at 100%.
what i think you mean running them at a lower percent will increase life.



I'm curious as how long till the spectrum starts to change, if at all.

[Nano]

Originally Posted by troni

I'm curious as how long till the spectrum starts to change, if at all.

I "Heard" once 5% per year at 100% but I am sure that not accurate, and could be more. also depending on the types of features you use (I.E) thunderstorms etc, it could cause varied results IMO.

[jorjef]

The way I approached buying my SOL's was sort of trial basis. I only ordered one the first time, I was 90% certain I would need a second with a 48" tank but with shipping being free for one or two I decided to see what one unit looked like. It took about five minutes to decide one was not enough and ordered the second. This same principal will work for anyone even if you had to start with say 3 or 4 and add units if needed.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jorjef

The way I approached buying my SOL's was sort of trial basis. I only ordered one the first time, I was 90% certain I would need a second with a 48" tank but with shipping being free for one or two I decided to see what one unit looked like. It took about five minutes to decide one was not enough and ordered the second. This same principal will work for anyone even if you had to start with say 3 or 4 and add units if needed.

kinda my plan as well. I"ll start with 3 and see how that goes. Problem I have is that the tank may suffer before I can afford to buy more.

[muck]

Ask sbux for a V.I.P. discount card...

[RuGlu6]

Just wondering what is the difference between one 3w LED and the other?
Other then dimming and fancy controls what is the difference between AI sols and these
http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-48-LE...ht-p/56234.htm
?
They have single fixtures 5" wide and double fixtures 9.25" wide. If everyone is running their "fancy" LED's at 35%-50% anyway?
Really want to know what is the difference. thx

[Nano]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

Just wondering what is the difference between one 3w LED and the other?
Other then dimming and fancy controls what is the difference between AI sols and these
http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-48-LE...ht-p/56234.htm
?
They have single fixtures 5" wide and double fixtures 9.25" wide. If everyone is running their "fancy" LED's at 35%-50% anyway?
Really want to know what is the difference. thx

You get what you pay for, with anything, AI has a proven track record as well as radions, sure the evo may have 3w LEDs but what do we actually know of the quality of the lights, etc. having features like dimming or sun rise sun set etc, is very ideal and healthy for the tank stimulating all aspects of a day/night cycle, something you can't do with out a controller. Honestly, and please dont take this the wrong way, but I have seen a couple of threads from you in regards to Evo Leds, and I just want to say that if you are considering jumping into LEDs that you make the right choice the first time, so as not to waste money (potentially) I would personally go with a light that has testimonial from people you are familiar with to back it up. it looks like it would be more suited for planted/refugiums or little frag tanks if anything, but for a main display tank I would put your money to good use on a good light just my opinion though

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

Just wondering what is the difference between one 3w LED and the other?
Other then dimming and fancy controls what is the difference between AI sols and these
http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-48-LE...ht-p/56234.htm
?
They have single fixtures 5" wide and double fixtures 9.25" wide. If everyone is running their "fancy" LED's at 35%-50% anyway?
Really want to know what is the difference. thx

for one they don't say what kind of LEDs there using, if they are using Cree (or another good brand) then no difference, if they are using some of the cheep ones that use a coating to get the color then the coating will break down eventually and these ones will give you a spectrum shift. there has even been reports of the coating pealing off in places. so it basically comes down to how the LED is made. you get the expensive high quality that use the actually metal of the diode to give off the color you want and you get the cheep and sometimes expensive ones that use a cheep metal to give a blueish color and then coat the dome with colored phosphorus to tune the color to what they want.

Also you want to check into the power supply and if it can be controlled. there are cheaper power supplies that are not regulated as much so this can lead to early failure, and controllability adds cost (although not much)

and finally what is there heat sink and how is the temp managed, you can get systems that use a aluminum heat sink that is enough on there own then add fans as a back up, and you can get systems that if the fans fail your system will be cooked. allot of the companies now are using a heat sink material as the circuit board and mounting the bare LEDs directly to it. nothing wrong with this as long as it is rated for proper thermal dissipation, some companies will do this but use the cheapest material they can find then over size fans. So you really have to looking to the construction and parts used in the system.

Steve

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by muck

Ask sbux for a V.I.P. discount card...

shut.up!

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

kinda my plan as well. I"ll start with 3 and see how that goes. Problem I have is that the tank may suffer before I can afford to buy more.

Just leave your existing lights in place, when the new ones arrive just get a bunch of people together to do a mock up and hold the lights over the tank for you as you sit back say "okay a little to the left, now up..no no the other up, you know down" All the time adjusting intensity to see how you like it. If you decide you need more units the original light is still there until the other unit arrives and swap out then.