CF vs LED in my tank - what do you think?

Glendor · 05/27/2011, 08:24 AM

I recently purchased a 36" Marineland Reef Capable LED light as a possible replacement for my Coralife CF+moon light. I'm tired of the heat, noise frm the fans, and yearly bulb purchase. Here are the before / after pictures. Do you think the LED is going to work, or should I get new bulbs and go back to the CF light?
CF...

LED...

nanojg · 05/27/2011, 08:44 AM

I dont think that led fixture will sustain coral health.

Paco · 05/27/2011, 12:05 PM

I don't think we can tell from the photo because your camera is going to vary the exposure to make the tank look the same. Your eyes have the same problem (or feature

) which is your irises. The only ways you'll find out is with a PAR meter or by giving it a few weeks to see what happens.

nanojg · 05/27/2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

I don't think we can tell from the photo because your camera is going to vary the exposure to make the tank look the same. Your eyes have the same problem (or feature

) which is your irises. The only ways you'll find out is with a PAR meter or by giving it a few weeks to see what happens.

The par is around 100 at 12 inches and 50 at 24 inches

mordibv · 05/29/2011, 08:47 PM

I don't see why it wouldn't work . I did not catch any light loving corals in the pic . If it needs more light, just add some tru lumen pro's to the fixture .

mistaflicksta · 05/29/2011, 10:04 PM

keeping taps on these lights.

Bobbofin · 05/29/2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanojg

The par is around 100 at 12 inches and 50 at 24 inches

Not bad for softies or LPS up high but forget about any SPS.

Glendor · 06/01/2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordibv

I don't see why it wouldn't work . I did not catch any light loving corals in the pic . If it needs more light, just add some tru lumen pro's to the fixture .

I was looking up the True Lumen Pro strip lights. I would need the 36" model and it looks to run about $150. Should I go with the 8k or 12k white, or the 12k white & blue, or the deepwater blue? Are you recommending one of these lights, or more?

Anemonebuff · 06/01/2011, 03:46 PM

Looks good to me. If you want more demanding corals the LEDs will not suffice. I'd venture to say that the LEDs have better PAR than the CFs.

05/27/2011, 08:24 AM	#1
Glendor Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 10	CF vs LED in my tank - what do you think? I recently purchased a 36" Marineland Reef Capable LED light as a possible replacement for my Coralife CF+moon light. I'm tired of the heat, noise frm the fans, and yearly bulb purchase. Here are the before / after pictures. Do you think the LED is going to work, or should I get new bulbs and go back to the CF light? CF... LED...

05/27/2011, 12:05 PM	#3
Paco Move Don Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,210	I don't think we can tell from the photo because your camera is going to vary the exposure to make the tank look the same. Your eyes have the same problem (or feature ) which is your irises. The only ways you'll find out is with a PAR meter or by giving it a few weeks to see what happens. __________________ Fish are nitrate factories. Remove them and watch your nitrates come down. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

05/29/2011, 08:47 PM	#5
mordibv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 1,499	I don't see why it wouldn't work . I did not catch any light loving corals in the pic . If it needs more light, just add some tru lumen pro's to the fixture . __________________ It's hard to take advice from those who do not show the fruits of their labor . Current Tank Info: No tank ATM

05/29/2011, 10:04 PM	#6
mistaflicksta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,212	keeping taps on these lights. __________________ Erik G. Current Tank Info: 150H(48LX24WX30H), 302 Aquatics sump w/ATS, NWB 200 reef octopus skimmer w/DC pump, 2× MP40W, Varios 6 return pump, RKE, Avast Marine Kalk reactor, Kessil AP700

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LED lighting or MH in a nano tank?	Mark Nishimura	New to the Hobby	29	10/10/2012 02:18 PM
Coming back to... LEDs?	Maculosa	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	03/20/2011 02:31 PM
NOOB NEEDS HELP WITH LED Lights HELP!!	New90Gal	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	14	10/25/2010 08:49 PM
O/T 80 CF 3000 PSI Luxfer Scuba Tank For Trade	Yarim	Florida Marine Aquarium Society (FMAS) - Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	0	03/15/2009 01:57 PM
CF lighting for a SPS tank ?	loves saltwater	New to the Hobby	25	06/15/2007 06:44 AM

05/27/2011, 08:44 AM	#2
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	I dont think that led fixture will sustain coral health.

06/01/2011, 03:46 PM	#9
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Looks good to me. If you want more demanding corals the LEDs will not suffice. I'd venture to say that the LEDs have better PAR than the CFs.