Show Us Your LED Tanks

[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.

[Aquaholic]

I am just getting my system going and wanted to go with an LED system... this is what i have no water, live rock, ect... yet

they look nice an bright and with the multi controler i have them on for sunrise/sunset and moon light.

Attachment 7228

Attachment 7229

[TJSlayer]

I will hopefully have something to add in about a month or so.....stay tuned will be doing a full review of the setup...

[reefermadness]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I think the overall tone of the topic is that nobody is really sure..ok, they look pretty, they can do lightning storms and adjust color a bit. But my primary objective is to grow the blueist and purplist corals I can, long term. I don't believe that LEDs can do that (yet?). Also, the cost over five years, for new lighting setups may be beneficial over five years, but I couldn't afford a LED fixture up front, even if it's going to save me money in the long term. I can however afford 300/yr for bulbs over the next five years without a problem. It's the same principle of my mortgage, I'd save tons if I had that kind of cash
I have run 400w radiums for years, and continue to do so. I can find years worth of awesome tanks running the same config, so I know that these do the job I need done. LED, at this point, is still a lot of speculation on what MAY be a good lighting system 4 or 5 years down the road.
No lighting system is the best for every application, so one needs to decide what is best for their application, and for me, the MHs are the system of choice. Maybe it costs me more over 5 years, but so what? This isn't a budget hobby, and for my money, I know what I'm getting in terms of light. It's tried and true. 5 years from now, I may look at LED when it's affordable by the common peasant, but for now, to me anyway, it's a rich man's lighting experiment!!

My sediments exactly. I think there is great future for LED but I'll let others be the guinea pigs. When I start seeing TOTMs using LED for years, and the economics make sense....I will make the switch.

BTW....I cant believe I read this whole thread...I was expecting to see way more pictures. Im a picture book kind of guy..haha.

[someguy]

Interesting discussion, not so many photos

I'm new to this hobby and have just set up my tank using AI LED modules.
My thoughts:
1) the assertion that this technology is unproven for growing coral seems false to me. A little time spent on RC or some European forums will show a number of tanks that have been using LEDs successfully for years. Just because you haven't physically seen one with your own eyes doens't mean they don't exist.
Sanjay Joshi has also published some PAR readings from some fixtures, and the numbers seem comparable to traditional technologies.
2) Economy - yes at this point the quality fixtures are expensive, and as has been discussed here a number of different ways, they may or may not be more economical in the long run. But the reality is that today, cost does not appear to be rational reason to invest in LEDs.
3) Aesthetics - in designing my tank, I was aiming for a sleek, modern look, and MH simply are not a good option for those, without getting into the very expensive European fixtures. At that price point, there is no difference with the cost of quality LED fixtures.
Having said this, I currently have my modules mounted on the AI rails, which are admittedly ugly. I will remedy this at some point.
4)Efficiency - what has not been mentioned in this thread, outside of cost, is that LEDs are more efficient. In short, they are a greener solution, and that matters to me. In this same vein, what has not been mentioned is that LEDs are often run below their maximum capability, so when doing the cost/usage math, this should be factored in.
5) Coverage - my particular system does have a spotlighting effect currently, but that can be dealt with. I am planning on adding a third module, and raising them all higher from the water to give greater spread. The AI units come with 40 degree optics for the middle four pucks, but 70 degree optics are available if I prefer those.

And lastly a photo. Obviously this tank is very new as the bright white rocks will attest, but I'll post updates as the tank matures.

[GMGQ]

Brad,

Did you ever figure out how to wire a fan with the driver? I've been trying to figure this out too, as I dont see a point of having a separate power brick just to run the fan.

It would be great to wire it with the driver and LEDs so that the fan comes on when the LEDs come on.

LMK, thanks man.

Gary

Originally Posted by Aquattro

No, you don't understand. My really complex electrical project right now is connecting my fans to the adapter Me and wires, well, not so good. And the intricate detail work, not really me either.

So I'll put my name up tho for a rain check on the building, just in case I ever change my mind -lol

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by GMGQ

Brad,

Did you ever figure out how to wire a fan with the driver? I've been trying to figure this out too, as I dont see a point of having a separate power brick just to run the fan.

It would be great to wire it with the driver and LEDs so that the fan comes on when the LEDs come on.

LMK, thanks man.

Gary

he has doors on his stand, what else do you want? this is a huge step for Brad

[apexifd]

I too decided to get on the led band wagon. But I am only upgrading my biocube 29 from PC to led

Here are some pictures

[apexifd]

Now.. With just 6 white and 6 blue wire up... And this is bright.

I can't wait to replace 2x36 PC in the bio cube with 72 watts of led.