LED light output

vaporlockv2 · 04/21/2010, 12:38 AM

I am thinking of supplementing the light on my tank with some LEDs. What I am wanting to know is how the scale of light output works for them. I know they are measured in mcd. What is that and what would be the best "light" output for bulbs to be used in a reef tank.

Anemonebuff · 04/21/2010, 09:28 AM

If you are using LEDs to supplement MH you are wasting you time. The MH will drown out any actinics they put off. If you are just using them for dawn/dusk then you should be fine using stunner strips or the like.

vaporlockv2 · 04/21/2010, 03:07 PM

I'm actually going to be supplementing regular CF. I have a 10g with two 15w 50/50s and two 18w 420 actinics.

Gatorluva9 · 04/21/2010, 07:59 PM

they are beautiful

mike_cmu04 · 04/21/2010, 08:26 PM

you could just build a diy setup with 12 led's and you could probably keep any coral in the tank they put out tons of light

gia3161 · 04/21/2010, 08:33 PM

i have a small tank aswell (prob around 10 gal) and i bought a DIY 12 led kit from rapidled and the light output is crazy! gives awsome blues so the coral colours really pop and gives the tank a really nice shimmer. ive got heaps of coral and a bubble tip in there with no probs and im going to start with some SPS and clams soon. they are really bright!

Anemonebuff · 04/21/2010, 08:46 PM

For a 10 gallon you could use a panorama module or two and/or some stunner strips.

vaporlockv2 · 04/22/2010, 12:18 AM

What is a stunner strip? I'm really more concerned about color than growth. But I don't want the light to be TOO blue though. Also are LEDs measured in kelvin like regular lights? I am going to want to balance my whites with my blues. What type of white bulbs should I get? I am on a very tight budget so I can't afford the cree lights or the mr16's. I am going to use regular 5mm .5w leds. I found on ebay a sale of 50 blues and 50 whites. The blues say they are 460mn so that's good, but not sure how the whites are measured and what the best whites are for my tank.

gia3161 · 04/22/2010, 12:45 AM

If y don't want it to be too blue then go with 3/4 white, 1/4 blue. Go with 'royal blue' for the blues as they have a higher par reading so will look actinic but also give beneficial light output.

timdam · 04/22/2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaporlockv2

What is a stunner strip? I'm really more concerned about color than growth. But I don't want the light to be TOO blue though. Also are LEDs measured in kelvin like regular lights? I am going to want to balance my whites with my blues. What type of white bulbs should I get? I am on a very tight budget so I can't afford the cree lights or the mr16's. I am going to use regular 5mm .5w leds. I found on ebay a sale of 50 blues and 50 whites. The blues say they are 460mn so that's good, but not sure how the whites are measured and what the best whites are for my tank.

i just bought these blue STUNNER strips to go on with my lights. just stick it on and plug in.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=21598

SWINGRRRR · 04/22/2010, 08:28 AM

Seen this?

Anemonebuff · 04/22/2010, 10:35 AM

I have ordered some LED spotlights, one white and one blue, that are 30 watts a piece using only one emitter. They have now come out with a 50 watt version. I may buy those depending on how these work. I will post picks whe I get them and will try to get PAR readings.

I bought it from here:
http://www.lck-led.com/p719/Aluminum...8559619b924e9a

I figure with the cost of these, if one burns out 4-5 years down the line, I can replace it for far less than 5 years of MH replacement.

I will warn you that this is a China based company and their customer service is very slow. I ordered on 4/6 and it did show that it shipped. After numerous emails they responded on 4/19 to tell me it shipped on 4/12. Knowing this before hand will make the purchase less stressful.

vaporlockv2 · 04/22/2010, 09:47 PM

So it looks like in the thread that he has just lined his aquarium with the rope led strands. I'm still debating whether I should get individual bulbs and make a hood with the lights in them, or if I should get the light strands. Looks to me that the strands don't look as bright as the individual.

vaporlockv2 · 04/23/2010, 08:16 PM

anyone know what the scale is between mcd and lumens? I've done quite a few searches online and haven't really found an answer that makes sense to me.

04/21/2010, 12:38 AM	#1
vaporlockv2 2011 IMAS Officer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Notus, Idaho Posts: 232	LED light output I am thinking of supplementing the light on my tank with some LEDs. What I am wanting to know is how the scale of light output works for them. I know they are measured in mcd. What is that and what would be the best "light" output for bulbs to be used in a reef tank.

04/22/2010, 12:18 AM	#8
vaporlockv2 2011 IMAS Officer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Notus, Idaho Posts: 232	What is a stunner strip? I'm really more concerned about color than growth. But I don't want the light to be TOO blue though. Also are LEDs measured in kelvin like regular lights? I am going to want to balance my whites with my blues. What type of white bulbs should I get? I am on a very tight budget so I can't afford the cree lights or the mr16's. I am going to use regular 5mm .5w leds. I found on ebay a sale of 50 blues and 50 whites. The blues say they are 460mn so that's good, but not sure how the whites are measured and what the best whites are for my tank. Last edited by vaporlockv2; 04/22/2010 at 12:35 AM.

04/22/2010, 08:28 AM	#11
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	Seen this? __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

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04/21/2010, 09:28 AM	#2
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	If you are using LEDs to supplement MH you are wasting you time. The MH will drown out any actinics they put off. If you are just using them for dawn/dusk then you should be fine using stunner strips or the like.

04/21/2010, 03:07 PM	#3
vaporlockv2 2011 IMAS Officer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Notus, Idaho Posts: 232	I'm actually going to be supplementing regular CF. I have a 10g with two 15w 50/50s and two 18w 420 actinics.

04/21/2010, 07:59 PM	#4
Gatorluva9 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gainesville Posts: 62	they are beautiful

04/21/2010, 08:26 PM	#5
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	you could just build a diy setup with 12 led's and you could probably keep any coral in the tank they put out tons of light

04/21/2010, 08:33 PM	#6
gia3161 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 68	i have a small tank aswell (prob around 10 gal) and i bought a DIY 12 led kit from rapidled and the light output is crazy! gives awsome blues so the coral colours really pop and gives the tank a really nice shimmer. ive got heaps of coral and a bubble tip in there with no probs and im going to start with some SPS and clams soon. they are really bright!

04/21/2010, 08:46 PM	#7
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	For a 10 gallon you could use a panorama module or two and/or some stunner strips.

04/22/2010, 12:45 AM	#9
gia3161 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 68	If y don't want it to be too blue then go with 3/4 white, 1/4 blue. Go with 'royal blue' for the blues as they have a higher par reading so will look actinic but also give beneficial light output.

04/22/2010, 10:35 AM	#12
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	I have ordered some LED spotlights, one white and one blue, that are 30 watts a piece using only one emitter. They have now come out with a 50 watt version. I may buy those depending on how these work. I will post picks whe I get them and will try to get PAR readings. I bought it from here: http://www.lck-led.com/p719/Aluminum...8559619b924e9a I figure with the cost of these, if one burns out 4-5 years down the line, I can replace it for far less than 5 years of MH replacement. I will warn you that this is a China based company and their customer service is very slow. I ordered on 4/6 and it did show that it shipped. After numerous emails they responded on 4/19 to tell me it shipped on 4/12. Knowing this before hand will make the purchase less stressful.

04/22/2010, 09:47 PM	#13
vaporlockv2 2011 IMAS Officer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Notus, Idaho Posts: 232	So it looks like in the thread that he has just lined his aquarium with the rope led strands. I'm still debating whether I should get individual bulbs and make a hood with the lights in them, or if I should get the light strands. Looks to me that the strands don't look as bright as the individual.

04/23/2010, 08:16 PM	#14
vaporlockv2 2011 IMAS Officer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Notus, Idaho Posts: 232	anyone know what the scale is between mcd and lumens? I've done quite a few searches online and haven't really found an answer that makes sense to me.