What LED setups are people liking these days?

[ReefIslandLight]

Was referred here from a friend...

I have noticed there are a ton of LED light units running around now-a-days... I was wondering what people are looking for in a stable unit and what is frowned upon...

• Lamp Power(w)/Power consumption?
• dimmable?
• Beam angles?
• Emitting Color: set or changeable?
• Chip?
• Color Temperature(CCT)?
• Working Temperature(℃)?
• On unit timers?
• LED Watt:1W/2W/3W/4W/5W?

[ReefIslandLight]

I was personally running x6 ReefKoi 120w units non dimmable but this was when they first came out so some time has passed since then.

thanks in advance!

[ReefIslandLight]

seems like some people have been playing with the Chinese lights...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...10092&page=155

whats everyone's thoughts on those? I would ask directly in the thread but I would rather gather most information here as far as comparisons go.

[nathan_krauss]

wow. it wont let me type what i want. [Removed]

[bluewater921]

i used the 3rd gen evolutions and love them ...

[goreef170]

I love my AI SOLE BLUES. For the price, they can't be beat !

[D-Nak]

Originally Posted by nathan_krauss

wow. it wont let me type what i want. go to google and look for cree led's

RC won't allow you to link to that site. i don't think you can even mention it without getting censored. You're talking about [Removed] right?

Back on topic...

In terms of your questions, the answers really do vary and it would be hard to answer all of them without going into a long-winded response. You really need to decide what fits your application. For example, lights that have dense arrays of LEDs tend to need to be hung higher than your average panel light. If you have a short canopy on your tank, something like a Kessil probably won't work for you.

Do a search and you'll see TONS of threads dedicated to LED technology. Take a seat and grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to read for hours. Welcome to Reef Central!

[Dino]

Originally Posted by nathan_krauss

wow. it wont let me type what i want. [Removed]

That is because individual(s) associated with that site have an extensive history of User Agreement violations on here and are no longer welcome. All words and URLs that appear on our censor list exist there for good reason and we appreciate all member's compliance in not using them on this site.

Thanks,
-Dino
RC Staff

[ReefIslandLight]

sorry, didnt mean to open up a can of worms here Dino lol

[ReefIslandLight]

Originally Posted by D-Nak

RC won't allow you to link to that site. i don't think you can even mention it without getting censored. You're talking about [Removed] right?

Back on topic...

In terms of your questions, the answers really do vary and it would be hard to answer all of them without going into a long-winded response. You really need to decide what fits your application. For example, lights that have dense arrays of LEDs tend to need to be hung higher than your average panel light. If you have a short canopy on your tank, something like a Kessil probably won't work for you.

Do a search and you'll see TONS of threads dedicated to LED technology. Take a seat and grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to read for hours. Welcome to Reef Central!

Appreciate the reply... I will look into it...
My tank is 1,000 gallon (48" tall) and trying to figure out what might be best here will be a bit difficult. I do not want to run power hungry MH and prefer the LED look and low power demands

[ReefIslandLight]

Originally Posted by goreef170

I love my AI SOLE BLUES. For the price, they can't be beat !

possibly a link to site where i can find further information and read specs?

(links ok?)

[ReefIslandLight]

Originally Posted by bluewater921

i used the 3rd gen evolutions and love them ...

the 3rd gens are pretty pricey and seem to be exactly what a ton of Chinese companies are selling (wouldn't be surprised if those were coming from China as well)

thoughts?

[D-Nak]

Originally Posted by ReefIslandLight

Appreciate the reply... I will look into it...
My tank is 1,000 gallon (48" tall) and trying to figure out what might be best here will be a bit difficult. I do not want to run power hungry MH and prefer the LED look and low power demands

Oh wow... 48" deep is quite a ways for LED light to travel. I think it's probably beyond what your typical LED panel could handle.

You may consider looking into the LEDs designed to penetrate versus flood the tank with light. What immediately comes to mind are the Ecoxotic pendants, such as the 100 watt elliptical or 120 watt circular canons. Ideally, you'll probably have a mix of canons and panels to cover the entire tank.

[dsdaley77]

I am looking into the new Evergreen units that are supposed to be coming out soon. Early word is that this unit will be fully customizable. We shall see. If that unit doesn't fit my needs I'm gonna try and build my own. Right now I just accent my t5's with 2 blue stunners and one 12000k. I love the sparkle. MH are not an option for me as I live in AZ and don't want to have to buy a chiller

[dsdaley77]

Originally Posted by D-Nak

Oh wow... 48" deep is quite a ways for LED light to travel. I think it's probably beyond what your typical LED panel could handle.

You may consider looking into the LEDs designed to penetrate versus flood the tank with light. What immediately comes to mind are the Ecoxotic pendants, such as the 100 watt elliptical or 120 watt circular canons. Ideally, you'll probably have a mix of canons and panels to cover the entire tank.

I definitely agree. The only way to have enough par at that depth in my opinion would to use 60 degree optics or les to create beams that can penetrate that deep, seems like more work and money than is practical.
The cannons work great, YouTube search "legoland led upgrade" and you can get an idea of their power. love that video, it is what turned me on to LEDs

[ReefIslandLight]

the tank will be set up primarily fish only for the most part and some easy ops and sps so im not extremely or overly concerned.... im considering having the tank have a LR pillar in the center and having DSB (8"-10") so the pillar will help with some coral placement giving it a chance to get closer to the light source and the DSB will bring the bottom up some making the penetration needed 38"-40"... im thinking that some cannons would actually work great and give the tank a "center piece" look leaving the rest of the tank with swimming room

but overall I haven't decided firmly on my aquascaping ideas so at this point i really need to consider all lighting options :/

[dsdaley77]

My advice is to build your rockwork around your selection for corals and then decide what light(s) will work best for you situation. It really just depends on what species you plan to keep as thier requirements can differ greatly

[ReefIslandLight]

the planning for the tank is pretty much mostly fish (tangs & angels), maybe some nems, shark (still deciding on acceptable species), baby rays and perhaps a smaller octopus... the corals will fit in there somewhere but I have nothing specific that I like off the top of my head... a few toad stools... some goniopora here and there, some leathers, nothing really demanding at all to be honest as far as coral is concerned

im pretty sure that the nems would probably be the most demanding when it comes to lighting, again a good reason for the led cannons possibly?

[tst400]

Originally Posted by dsdaley77

I am looking into the new Evergreen units that are supposed to be coming out soon. Early word is that this unit will be fully customizable. We shall see. If that unit doesn't fit my needs I'm gonna try and build my own. Right now I just accent my t5's with 2 blue stunners and one 12000k. I love the sparkle. MH are not an option for me as I live in AZ and don't want to have to buy a chiller

sorry to jump off topic but why does everyone think in az you have to have a chiller if you run halides???? my wife keeps my house at 82 while im at work and my tank only jumps between 76 and 79 every day.. i currently run 250 watt halides

[dsdaley77]

In my opinion, a three degree spike is too much, mine goes 1 1/4 degree warmer around 3 pm or so. Hate to be in your tank if your AC ever goes out

[Toadally]

Kessils

[ReefIslandLight]

Originally Posted by Toadally

Kessils

? huh ?

[dsdaley77]

I think he's saying he's liking kessil's

[ReefIslandLight]

ahhhhh lol ill check em out lol

[OneReef]

Originally Posted by tst400

sorry to jump off topic but why does everyone think in az you have to have a chiller if you run halides???? my wife keeps my house at 82 while im at work and my tank only jumps between 76 and 79 every day.. i currently run 250 watt halides

82? Do you mean 72? It seems implausible for a house to have an ambient temp of 82, and be running 250w halides and have a tank at 76-79. I'd check your thermometer. Just seems odd to me..