LED Lighting -

Meaty24 · 04/14/2011, 11:53 AM

I have a 175 Oceanic Bowfront and am currently running 3 400w metal halides with 2 T-5 bulbs. My electric bills in the summer are almost 700 bucks a month for a one bedroom apt. Killer.

It seems everyone is switching over to LEDs, and it seems much, much, cheaper to run. Not to mention cooler.

Can anyone recommend good LEDs that are 72 inch in length. Also, what kind of color or bulbs do I want?

I am very uninformed when it comes to LED lighting. Thanks.

scuzy · 04/14/2011, 12:05 PM

Well i would get 2 Maxspect G2-170 or G2-220 that is 32 inches in length. Should over your tank well. You could also go with the higher end fixture like AI. They should definitely cut down some cost of electricity in your setup.

rbonick · 04/14/2011, 12:13 PM

I'm running 3 Aqua Illuminations sol blues over a 36 by 36 150 gallon tank. For a tank that size you would probably need to get 4 units and hang them 12 inches above the tank. Lots of flexibility in terms of intensity and color. the controller allows you to set multiple intensity levels through out the day. Only problem is you are looking at a 2000 dollar investment.

Meaty24 · 04/15/2011, 08:06 AM

I really don't want to buy 4 units. Does anyone make a fixture that will cover my 72 inch tank?

Meaty24 · 04/15/2011, 11:24 AM

I am looking at Alibaba.com for LED lights because they are cheaper in China. Anyone have any suggestions?

pimp4cheddar · 04/15/2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meaty24

I am looking at Alibaba.com for LED lights because they are cheaper in China. Anyone have any suggestions?

Don't know how trustworthy alibaba.com is...but AI and Maxspect are track proven.

It'll be expensive to buy at first...but what you save on utilities over 3 months will cover the initial purchase...

...you can always make them yourself if you have a canopy over your tank...

Meaty24 · 04/15/2011, 01:08 PM

I took off the canopy when I installed the MH lights... way too hot for a canopy. Now that I am going to have LED's, can I put the canopy back on, or will it be too hot?

slovan · 04/15/2011, 01:20 PM

My AI LEDs doesn't put out any heat. In fact, my heater runs quite a bit to keep the temperature from dropping.

108reefer · 04/15/2011, 03:05 PM

Meaty24, I have the same tank - and what a PITA it is to light the front of it!! I have 3 lumenbrite mini's under the canopy (I actually remade it 6" taller than it was), with a double 80w t-5 for actinic supp. I am trying to draw up some DIY Led fixtures to put across the front of it, 3 units with 12 LED's per. I looked at AI and just don't have the dough for them as of now... After reading many, many posts about the DIY fixtures - I would do it, but if you have the budget - the AI SOL is really impressive...

Meaty24 · 04/15/2011, 03:08 PM

I probably could spring for the LED's from AI. I mean, my electric bill for a one bedroom apt. last summer was almost 700 bucks per month. The lights make heat, the chiller is on, the apt. is hot, and the airconditioners are cranking. While I need to lay out the money for the LEDs, I will make it back in a few months. And, maybe I can sell the MH. So, iare the AI's the best?

ptr13 · 04/15/2011, 06:26 PM

I have a 225 and we went with 3 -18 inch x 8.25 heatsink with 48 to 60 LEDs per section from reefledlights,the other fixtures are so much more xpensive so we went with diy and works great with more options.

MarlinHooker · 04/15/2011, 07:25 PM

AI Sols by far .. I just spent the better part of a month installing 2 250w MHs + 4 LED moonlight simulatior plus 2 T5s plus 6 Powerbrites .... for my brand new 150 I'm setting up. This weekend I'll be UNINSTALLING the 2 250w MH systems so I can put in 2 AI Sol modules ... anyone interested in buying 2 brand new 250w MHs w/LumenMax Elite reflectors, IceCap electronic ballasts & brand new bulbs ... lol

gatorrx98 · 04/15/2011, 09:43 PM

I'm actually hanging 3 AI's over my 180 tomorrow. They say if you can keep them >12" above the water line, each one will cover a 24x24 area. I hung mine side to side on a self made bracket. Mine will be about 17" above the water line. I'm converting from 3 LumenBright mini's with 250 Radiums. I'm looking to dump the MH's, chiller, pump for chiller, and two fans that run the entire time my lights are on.

Hagisan · 04/15/2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

I'm actually hanging 3 AI's over my 180 tomorrow. They say if you can keep them >12" above the water line, each one will cover a 24x24 area. I hung mine side to side on a self made bracket. Mine will be about 17" above the water line. I'm converting from 3 LumenBright mini's with 250 Radiums. I'm looking to dump the MH's, chiller, pump for chiller, and two fans that run the entire time my lights are on.

gatorrx98 - Can you post more pics of lights over the tank please? I also like the very clean looking DIY light rigging. How far are you spacing those apart?

ty

gatorrx98 · 04/15/2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagisan

gatorrx98 - Can you post more pics of lights over the tank please? I also like the very clean looking DIY light rigging. How far are you spacing those apart?

ty

I'll have them up and running tomorrow. I centered each fixture between the braces on my 180. I believe that each opening was 21.5 inches, so I centered them on that space. I hope it works out well. They will be in a canopy though. I really wanted to hang them end to end and actually was able to build the bracket for about $40 bucks at Home Depot. The wires are tie wrapped neatly behind the tubing. I'm fairly happy with the appearance, now I have to see how the lights perform.

Meaty24 · 04/16/2011, 11:25 AM

OK, after reading the blogs, it seems like the Vertex is the better option. I TOTALLY agree that, asethically, the Vertex is MUCH better looking than the AI. I don't like the look of the lighting fixtures hanging on a square bracket. And, on the Vertex youtube clip, the simulating lighting looks damn cool.

My questions is this: I have a 175 Oceanic bow front. Do I buy the 72 inch strip (which is crazy buck), or should I but three smaller units (or two). My tank has two bracing dividers, and three glass tops.

Next question: who can give the best deal on this VERY expensive unit?

04/14/2011, 11:53 AM	#1
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	LED Lighting - I have a 175 Oceanic Bowfront and am currently running 3 400w metal halides with 2 T-5 bulbs. My electric bills in the summer are almost 700 bucks a month for a one bedroom apt. Killer. It seems everyone is switching over to LEDs, and it seems much, much, cheaper to run. Not to mention cooler. Can anyone recommend good LEDs that are 72 inch in length. Also, what kind of color or bulbs do I want? I am very uninformed when it comes to LED lighting. Thanks.

04/15/2011, 01:20 PM	#8
slovan Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IA Posts: 3,544 Blog Entries: 1	My AI LEDs doesn't put out any heat. In fact, my heater runs quite a bit to keep the temperature from dropping. __________________ Marineland 300G DD

04/15/2011, 03:05 PM	#9
108reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: naples Posts: 355	Meaty24, I have the same tank - and what a PITA it is to light the front of it!! I have 3 lumenbrite mini's under the canopy (I actually remade it 6" taller than it was), with a double 80w t-5 for actinic supp. I am trying to draw up some DIY Led fixtures to put across the front of it, 3 units with 12 LED's per. I looked at AI and just don't have the dough for them as of now... After reading many, many posts about the DIY fixtures - I would do it, but if you have the budget - the AI SOL is really impressive... __________________ Matt the reefer Current Tank Info: Currently tankless.... Med school - need I say more...

04/15/2011, 07:25 PM	#12
MarlinHooker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 690	AI Sols by far .. I just spent the better part of a month installing 2 250w MHs + 4 LED moonlight simulatior plus 2 T5s plus 6 Powerbrites .... for my brand new 150 I'm setting up. This weekend I'll be UNINSTALLING the 2 250w MH systems so I can put in 2 AI Sol modules ... anyone interested in buying 2 brand new 250w MHs w/LumenMax Elite reflectors, IceCap electronic ballasts & brand new bulbs ... lol __________________ Inconviencing marine life since 1984 Current Tank Info: 150 mixed reef

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04/14/2011, 12:05 PM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Well i would get 2 Maxspect G2-170 or G2-220 that is 32 inches in length. Should over your tank well. You could also go with the higher end fixture like AI. They should definitely cut down some cost of electricity in your setup.

04/14/2011, 12:13 PM	#3
rbonick Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 156	I'm running 3 Aqua Illuminations sol blues over a 36 by 36 150 gallon tank. For a tank that size you would probably need to get 4 units and hang them 12 inches above the tank. Lots of flexibility in terms of intensity and color. the controller allows you to set multiple intensity levels through out the day. Only problem is you are looking at a 2000 dollar investment.

04/15/2011, 08:06 AM	#4
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I really don't want to buy 4 units. Does anyone make a fixture that will cover my 72 inch tank?

04/15/2011, 11:24 AM	#5
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I am looking at Alibaba.com for LED lights because they are cheaper in China. Anyone have any suggestions?

04/15/2011, 01:08 PM	#7
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I took off the canopy when I installed the MH lights... way too hot for a canopy. Now that I am going to have LED's, can I put the canopy back on, or will it be too hot?

04/15/2011, 03:08 PM	#10
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I probably could spring for the LED's from AI. I mean, my electric bill for a one bedroom apt. last summer was almost 700 bucks per month. The lights make heat, the chiller is on, the apt. is hot, and the airconditioners are cranking. While I need to lay out the money for the LEDs, I will make it back in a few months. And, maybe I can sell the MH. So, iare the AI's the best?

04/15/2011, 06:26 PM	#11
ptr13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bolingbrook Posts: 2,276	I have a 225 and we went with 3 -18 inch x 8.25 heatsink with 48 to 60 LEDs per section from reefledlights,the other fixtures are so much more xpensive so we went with diy and works great with more options.

04/16/2011, 11:25 AM	#16
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	OK, after reading the blogs, it seems like the Vertex is the better option. I TOTALLY agree that, asethically, the Vertex is MUCH better looking than the AI. I don't like the look of the lighting fixtures hanging on a square bracket. And, on the Vertex youtube clip, the simulating lighting looks damn cool. My questions is this: I have a 175 Oceanic bow front. Do I buy the 72 inch strip (which is crazy buck), or should I but three smaller units (or two). My tank has two bracing dividers, and three glass tops. Next question: who can give the best deal on this VERY expensive unit?