list the benefits for using LED? why switch?

rick12 · 08/08/2011, 12:57 PM

cost to run them is the obvious.
what else?

James77 · 08/08/2011, 01:07 PM

No replacing bulbs, dimmable allows better control of color. They are more easily customizable as far as being able to spread them out of cluster them.

Cons include heaters being on more if you are in a cool climate, the technology is rapidly changing so in a copu

rick12 · 08/08/2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

No replacing bulbs, dimmable allows better control of color. They are more easily customizable as far as being able to spread them out of cluster them.

Cons include heaters being on more if you are in a cool climate, the technology is rapidly changing so in a copu

what if you have to change the lights? can they burn out? or fail?

what about algea growing due to old bulbs/

disc1 · 08/08/2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick12

what if you have to change the lights? can they burn out? or fail?

what about algea growing due to old bulbs/

They will generally last 10 to 20 times as long as a regular bulb fluorescent or MH bulb. Years and years. No longer than the technology has been around, I'm sure nothing but the very very first of the LED builds are seeing any issues with old bulbs.

James77 · 08/08/2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick12

what if you have to change the lights? can they burn out? or fail?

what about algea growing due to old bulbs/

They can burn out and fail, though I have yet to see any widespread reports of it. But they have only just become extremely popular as well. DIY LED setups have the ability to solder out and replace one at a time for $4. Some fixtures like AI Sols can have scetions of LEDs replaced as well. LEDs hold their spectrum for its life frow what I have read.

They can save some a fortune in electric from lights an chillers, others may see negligible savings due to lower electric rates and the need to heat the tank more as a result of the LEDs not warming the tank at all. Some like not having to replace bulbs, but then you are limited to the setup you have with LEDs for the life of the fixture. Although dimmables could help that, and you could feasibly re-do a DIY setup. IMO they are a little behind halides in the appearance dept, but not by much. They shimmer, which is great. They are better looking than T5s. But they are not fully there IMO, but they are still more than sufficient for what we need.

pmrossetti · 08/08/2011, 06:09 PM

1. cheaper to run
2. almost no heat
3. contollability
4. bulbs last for years
5. upgradeable (AI)

ir_danno22 · 08/08/2011, 06:22 PM

Once you get over and accept the initial cost, then enjoying your tank with the pretty lights distracts you from the hole left in your wallet. I got the AIs on a holiday sale.

I fully agree with pmrossetti's pros. I am capable of DIY but lack the time for DIY therefore I went AI.

david00061 · 08/08/2011, 06:29 PM

What about growth?

08/08/2011, 12:57 PM	#1
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 770	list the benefits for using LED? why switch? cost to run them is the obvious. what else?

08/08/2011, 01:07 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	No replacing bulbs, dimmable allows better control of color. They are more easily customizable as far as being able to spread them out of cluster them. Cons include heaters being on more if you are in a cool climate, the technology is rapidly changing so in a copu __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/08/2011, 06:22 PM	#7
ir_danno22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Cali Posts: 288	Once you get over and accept the initial cost, then enjoying your tank with the pretty lights distracts you from the hole left in your wallet. I got the AIs on a holiday sale. I fully agree with pmrossetti's pros. I am capable of DIY but lack the time for DIY therefore I went AI. __________________ Nano Cube DX, 40 Breeder. Current Tank Info: Nanocube 28DX reef with AI sol, Aqueon 40 gallon breeder Feb 2011. Last edited by ir_danno22; 08/08/2011 at 06:29 PM. Reason: Didn't answer your question.

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08/08/2011, 06:09 PM	#6
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	1. cheaper to run 2. almost no heat 3. contollability 4. bulbs last for years 5. upgradeable (AI)

08/08/2011, 06:29 PM	#8
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