LED on a budget??

myram · 11/04/2011, 03:12 PM

I just broke my 32w PC bulb, so I saw this as an opportunity to switch to LED.
I want a 50/50 10k/420 mix, simple plug and play, as cheap and easy as possible.

Does that exist?

How are the Marineland Reef ready units?

Any other units worth it that are relatively affordable (cheap)?

This is for my 35gal hex, mixed FOWLR/Reef. No hi light corals, maybe some mushrooms and other low lights in the future.

Thanks for any help

Steve

myram · 11/04/2011, 03:39 PM

Anyone using the Current USA TrueLumen Pro strip lights?

It's a 12k/453 mix. 12" strip and a power supply can be had for under $100 on Ebay. Marine Depot sells them as well, and the reviews are great.

Steve

MTWiley · 11/04/2011, 06:39 PM

I'm a fan of the Panorama Pros personally.

One of our LFS recently tried to switch all of their tanks to the TrueLumen Pros, but they didn't like the look so they're back to T5s for now and looking for other options.

I replaced the PC lights on my BC29 at 84.99/module, but you need to buy a transformer($36.99) which can run up to 3 off one transformer with the splitter(8.95).

Total initial cost for just the transformer and a single module would be $121.98.

If you wanted to add a second and/or third panorama pro all you'd have to do is buy the module for $84.99 and either the 2 way splitter for $7.95 or 3 way splitter for $8.95(at only a dollar difference I'd just buy the 3 way to room to add the third module if you ever decided you wanted to add a third module)

I love the way it turned out so much that last week I changed out the PCs in my nanocube12 to Panorama Pros too.

myram · 11/05/2011, 06:26 AM

They look almost the same, and the pricing is almost the same.

Current USA told me a single 12" strip would be enough for my tank, and in the future I could add another if I decide to more difficult corals.

I found what I need from Aqua Cave for approx. $100, so I'll add that to my Christmas list......LOL

Steve

WingoLED · 11/05/2011, 08:42 AM

Get a PAR 38 for ~$80 and will be 1.5-2 times the light power of your current 32WPC.

Choose the kind with 60 degree, it helps to increase the intensity of the light and make the light stay inside your tank more.

Example of PAR from one such light with 60 degree lens: Note: the values of the edges will be higher when you actually put the light on the tank because the reflection from the glass.

[IMG]

PAR38 15x1W WingoLED DayLight 12,000K PAR DATA

[/IMG]

matiLanza · 11/05/2011, 08:48 AM

^^ PAR 38, way batter

myram · 11/05/2011, 09:53 AM

What is a PAR 38? Any links to it or info?

I've been out of the hobby for about 9 years, so bear with me as I get back up to speed on the new items.

Steve

myram · 11/05/2011, 09:58 AM

Of course I should mention that I'm mounting the lights inside the wood hood on my tank, it's only about 3" tall. So the LED strips or PC is the preferred method due to it's low height.

Steve

myram · 11/05/2011, 10:04 AM

Just did a google search for PAR 38.................not going to work for my situation.

Steve

11/04/2011, 03:12 PM	#1
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	LED on a budget?? I just broke my 32w PC bulb, so I saw this as an opportunity to switch to LED. I want a 50/50 10k/420 mix, simple plug and play, as cheap and easy as possible. Does that exist? How are the Marineland Reef ready units? Any other units worth it that are relatively affordable (cheap)? This is for my 35gal hex, mixed FOWLR/Reef. No hi light corals, maybe some mushrooms and other low lights in the future. Thanks for any help Steve

11/05/2011, 08:42 AM	#5
WingoLED Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 258	Get a PAR 38 for ~$80 and will be 1.5-2 times the light power of your current 32WPC. Choose the kind with 60 degree, it helps to increase the intensity of the light and make the light stay inside your tank more. Example of PAR from one such light with 60 degree lens: Note: the values of the edges will be higher when you actually put the light on the tank because the reflection from the glass. [IMG][/IMG] Last edited by WingoLED; 11/05/2011 at 08:51 AM.

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11/04/2011, 03:39 PM	#2
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Anyone using the Current USA TrueLumen Pro strip lights? It's a 12k/453 mix. 12" strip and a power supply can be had for under $100 on Ebay. Marine Depot sells them as well, and the reviews are great. Steve

11/04/2011, 06:39 PM	#3
MTWiley Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kansas City Metro Posts: 273	I'm a fan of the Panorama Pros personally. One of our LFS recently tried to switch all of their tanks to the TrueLumen Pros, but they didn't like the look so they're back to T5s for now and looking for other options. I replaced the PC lights on my BC29 at 84.99/module, but you need to buy a transformer($36.99) which can run up to 3 off one transformer with the splitter(8.95). Total initial cost for just the transformer and a single module would be $121.98. If you wanted to add a second and/or third panorama pro all you'd have to do is buy the module for $84.99 and either the 2 way splitter for $7.95 or 3 way splitter for $8.95(at only a dollar difference I'd just buy the 3 way to room to add the third module if you ever decided you wanted to add a third module) I love the way it turned out so much that last week I changed out the PCs in my nanocube12 to Panorama Pros too.

11/05/2011, 06:26 AM	#4
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	They look almost the same, and the pricing is almost the same. Current USA told me a single 12" strip would be enough for my tank, and in the future I could add another if I decide to more difficult corals. I found what I need from Aqua Cave for approx. $100, so I'll add that to my Christmas list......LOL Steve

11/05/2011, 08:48 AM	#6
matiLanza Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: miami Posts: 218	^^ PAR 38, way batter

11/05/2011, 09:53 AM	#7
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	What is a PAR 38? Any links to it or info? I've been out of the hobby for about 9 years, so bear with me as I get back up to speed on the new items. Steve

11/05/2011, 09:58 AM	#8
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Of course I should mention that I'm mounting the lights inside the wood hood on my tank, it's only about 3" tall. So the LED strips or PC is the preferred method due to it's low height. Steve

11/05/2011, 10:04 AM	#9
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Just did a google search for PAR 38.................not going to work for my situation. Steve