Question on LED's...

MarineGirl411 · 09/02/2011, 12:08 AM

So LEDs sound like a great option. The Orphek model's are simply beautiful and sleek looking. They are rated to last 50,000 hours....so my question is, once those 50,000 hours are up then what? Eventually, does a person throw the entire unit away? Or are these replaceable? My question seems a little dumb, so please forgive me. I am just really curious about this. Thank you.

TheFishMan65 · 09/02/2011, 06:18 AM

Most LED get dimmer with age. I don't remember the spec on the Orphek, but it will probably be 70-80% dimmer after the 50,000 hours so if it is adjustable (and you are not maxed) you can just turn it up some. Some models have replaceable LEDs.

Realize at 12 hours a day it will last 11.4 years (50,000 hours). At which point you will probably want to replace it with a better (even if only more efficient LEDs) unit.

evilss · 09/02/2011, 07:08 AM

i have wondered this myself. thanks alot for the info.

Phishguy · 09/02/2011, 07:13 AM

Seems to me that with tech advancing and pricing dropping so fast that a lot people will probably be replacing after a few years. It'll still be less expensive in the long run by energy costs and no bulb replacement..

rysher · 09/02/2011, 07:58 AM

50,000 hrs is 10+ years, who knows if we are still around in 10 yrs.

Jamesus · 09/02/2011, 08:24 AM

By the time your LEDs would going to be die you will have long replaced them with a better technology. Do you remember 10 years ago? I think we were still lighting our tanks by candle light and wishing for a better option that would involve getting less wax in the water.

TheFishMan65 · 09/02/2011, 11:00 AM

No that was 20 years ago, TC was just being invented 10 years back

pmrossetti · 09/02/2011, 11:06 AM

don't get Orphek. no programmability. Look at Acan. gorgeous fixture. only up to 48" though.

laxing22 · 09/02/2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrossetti

don't get Orphek. no programmability. Look at Acan. gorgeous fixture. only up to 48" though.

Is there a nice 48" LED that does not cost $2,600?
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/A102_...p/RAL10248.htm

ganjero · 09/02/2011, 02:06 PM

50,000 hours is about 17 years at 8 hours a day. I don’t doubt the LEDs might survive that long but the PAR won’t. I say you would a lot less PAR longevity out of LEDs. Some people are losing par on their PAR38 bulbs after a couple of years already. Like GSMguy mentioned in another thread, MH/PC/T5 won’t burn out for 5-7 years but their PAR and spectrum diminish after a year or so.

I would get a LED fixture that can be upgraded and LEDs are easy to replace.

TheFishTeen · 09/02/2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganjero

50,000 hours is about 17 years at 8 hours a day. I don’t doubt the LEDs might survive that long but the PAR won’t. I say you would a lot less PAR longevity out of LEDs. Some people are losing par on their PAR38 bulbs after a couple of years already. Like GSMguy mentioned in another thread, MH/PC/T5 won’t burn out for 5-7 years but their PAR and spectrum diminish after a year or so.

I would get a LED fixture that can be upgraded and LEDs are easy to replace.

One of the things that makes the Aqua Illumination SOL a great pick is that its modular. If AI comes out with a new cree, LED chip, new lens act, you purchase is it, pop out the old one and replace it with the new. Its that easy. No need to purchase a whole new fixture.

"If its not modular, your making a mistake"
-Mark Callahan, Mr.SaltWaterTank TV, on the subject of LED's.

09/02/2011, 12:08 AM	#1
MarineGirl411 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,583	Question on LED's... So LEDs sound like a great option. The Orphek model's are simply beautiful and sleek looking. They are rated to last 50,000 hours....so my question is, once those 50,000 hours are up then what? Eventually, does a person throw the entire unit away? Or are these replaceable? My question seems a little dumb, so please forgive me. I am just really curious about this. Thank you. __________________ I am a reefaholic and there is no cure. =) Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef, Cardiff Nano Seahorse tank.

09/02/2011, 06:18 AM	#2
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Most LED get dimmer with age. I don't remember the spec on the Orphek, but it will probably be 70-80% dimmer after the 50,000 hours so if it is adjustable (and you are not maxed) you can just turn it up some. Some models have replaceable LEDs. Realize at 12 hours a day it will last 11.4 years (50,000 hours). At which point you will probably want to replace it with a better (even if only more efficient LEDs) unit. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

09/02/2011, 11:00 AM	#7
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	No that was 20 years ago, TC was just being invented 10 years back __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

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09/02/2011, 07:08 AM	#3
evilss Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 56	i have wondered this myself. thanks alot for the info.

09/02/2011, 07:13 AM	#4
Phishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: springfield, ma Posts: 660	Seems to me that with tech advancing and pricing dropping so fast that a lot people will probably be replacing after a few years. It'll still be less expensive in the long run by energy costs and no bulb replacement..

09/02/2011, 07:58 AM	#5
rysher Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Location: Location Posts: 577	50,000 hrs is 10+ years, who knows if we are still around in 10 yrs.

09/02/2011, 08:24 AM	#6
Jamesus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 168	By the time your LEDs would going to be die you will have long replaced them with a better technology. Do you remember 10 years ago? I think we were still lighting our tanks by candle light and wishing for a better option that would involve getting less wax in the water.

09/02/2011, 11:06 AM	#8
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	don't get Orphek. no programmability. Look at Acan. gorgeous fixture. only up to 48" though.

09/02/2011, 02:06 PM	#10
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	50,000 hours is about 17 years at 8 hours a day. I don’t doubt the LEDs might survive that long but the PAR won’t. I say you would a lot less PAR longevity out of LEDs. Some people are losing par on their PAR38 bulbs after a couple of years already. Like GSMguy mentioned in another thread, MH/PC/T5 won’t burn out for 5-7 years but their PAR and spectrum diminish after a year or so. I would get a LED fixture that can be upgraded and LEDs are easy to replace.