PowerCompact vs LED (with pictures)
 

Here is a picture of my tank with a 32w PC 10k/420nm bulb.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...Tank/tank1.jpg

Here is a picture of my tank with 2-12" TrueLumen Pro Marine Fusion LED 12K/453nm strips.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...Tank/tank2.jpg


LEDs put out a bluer light, but not as much output as the PC. The PC is definitely brighter, but more white/yellow. PC bulb was just replaced about 2 weeks ago, so it's basically brand new.

Steve

PC may be brighter, but LED's will likely give more usable light to corals

Of course these pictures where taken with my DroidX, so the quality isn't as good as it could be.

Steve

It's almost impossible to judge lighting intensity visually. I bet the led is putting out more par than the power compact.

The PC may look brighter, but that is probably because our eyes don't see blue well. You can have around 1/20th the yellow-green light compared to blue and the yellow-green will still look brighter. Nevertheless, in that case, the blue is still the same brightness. In a sense, your corals require "real" brightness (PAR), not "perceived" brightness (LUX) if that makes sense?

So...........what you are saying..............keep the LEDs?

LOL

Good thing I like about these are that I can add up to 4 more strips with my 1 power supply, so I can add a lot more light if needed down the road.

Steve

I'm definitely going to give the LEDs a go and see how everything responds to their light. If needed, I'll add another strip in the future since it's easy and fairly cheap.

Steve

Love the look of the LEDs...the difference is amazing.

I agree, it is a huge difference. And the shimmer they add is great as well.

My anemone was shrunk last night, so I'm hoping today he's back out so I can see him under them.

At only 18.2w of power, they are cheaper to operate then the 32w bulb they replaced. And I got a great deal on them, so I couldn't pass them up.

Steve

Everything looked great last night, so maybe these lights are doing the trick.

Steve

Go borrow a meter, it is the only way to tell.

I'll ask at my LFS tomorrow, but I doubt she has one.

Steve

What exactly are we seeing here other than the difference between 10k/420 and 12k/453?

This isn't an accurate PC vs LED comparison. Maybe if you had a comparable bulb in the PC.

If you can find a 12k/453nm 32w pc bulb, I'll do the comparison.

Other then that, it's just a before/after comparison.

Steve

As far as color goes pc's will always produce a more "flat" dimension that that of a good quality pc.

Myram- I would look into adding a lower kelvin truelumen such as the 8k sun white in addition to another fusion. That would give a nice spectrum for growth while not taking away from the color. Also i am unsure what corals you look to keep but with these you would need to keep just about any SPS you get near the top.

I meant good quality LED not pc

Yeah, the 8k would be more of a yellow light and add another spectrum to the mix. It is a very blue color right now, but it really makes things pop.

I'll keep an eye out for a great deal on a 12" 8k strip to add to the mix.

Steve

I just emailed the guy I bought these from, and he's going to try and get me an 8000k and another Marine Fusion at the same price. If he can, I'll have them next week and post another picture to show the difference.

The 8000K should take away a bit of the blueness, but it will still look good with the other Marine Fusion.

No SPS for me, just a few softies, shrooms, LPS, and polys/palys.

Steve

Could you post a pic of how they're hung in your good please? Thanks

Next time I have the hood off the tank, I'll take a picture.

They come with small mounting brackets, so it's literally a 5 minute install.

Hopefully have 2-3 more strips coming this week, find out soon.

Steve

There is an easy way to get the PC tank to look better - switch the 03 blue bulb to the 460 nm blue bulb.

A 460nm blue bulb will bring out much more color.

A simple bulb switch will give that PC tank a lot nicer of a look.

So I have a chance to pick up a couple more strips to add to my tank. I can choose form the 8000K, 12000K, or the 12000K/453nm combo. You would recommend a 8000K and a combo to add to my current 2 combos?

Thanks,

Steve