PowerCompact vs LED (with pictures)

myram · 11/28/2011, 06:47 PM

Here is a picture of my tank with a 32w PC 10k/420nm bulb.

Here is a picture of my tank with 2-12" TrueLumen Pro Marine Fusion LED 12K/453nm strips.

LEDs put out a bluer light, but not as much output as the PC. The PC is definitely brighter, but more white/yellow. PC bulb was just replaced about 2 weeks ago, so it's basically brand new.

Steve

Patzig · 11/28/2011, 06:58 PM

PC may be brighter, but LED's will likely give more usable light to corals

myram · 11/28/2011, 07:01 PM

Of course these pictures where taken with my DroidX, so the quality isn't as good as it could be.

Steve

Potsy · 11/28/2011, 07:35 PM

It's almost impossible to judge lighting intensity visually. I bet the led is putting out more par than the power compact.

m2434 · 11/28/2011, 07:53 PM

The PC may look brighter, but that is probably because our eyes don't see blue well. You can have around 1/20th the yellow-green light compared to blue and the yellow-green will still look brighter. Nevertheless, in that case, the blue is still the same brightness. In a sense, your corals require "real" brightness (PAR), not "perceived" brightness (LUX) if that makes sense?

myram · 11/28/2011, 07:59 PM

So...........what you are saying..............keep the LEDs?

LOL

Good thing I like about these are that I can add up to 4 more strips with my 1 power supply, so I can add a lot more light if needed down the road.

Steve

myram · 11/29/2011, 10:19 AM

I'm definitely going to give the LEDs a go and see how everything responds to their light. If needed, I'll add another strip in the future since it's easy and fairly cheap.

Steve

jkilty · 11/29/2011, 10:57 AM

Love the look of the LEDs...the difference is amazing.

myram · 11/29/2011, 11:48 AM

I agree, it is a huge difference. And the shimmer they add is great as well.

My anemone was shrunk last night, so I'm hoping today he's back out so I can see him under them.

At only 18.2w of power, they are cheaper to operate then the 32w bulb they replaced. And I got a great deal on them, so I couldn't pass them up.

Steve

myram · 11/30/2011, 06:29 AM

Everything looked great last night, so maybe these lights are doing the trick.

Steve

alton · 11/30/2011, 06:44 AM

Go borrow a meter, it is the only way to tell.

myram · 11/30/2011, 05:23 PM

I'll ask at my LFS tomorrow, but I doubt she has one.

Steve

RubberFrog · 11/30/2011, 05:29 PM

What exactly are we seeing here other than the difference between 10k/420 and 12k/453?

This isn't an accurate PC vs LED comparison. Maybe if you had a comparable bulb in the PC.

myram · 12/01/2011, 06:33 AM

If you can find a 12k/453nm 32w pc bulb, I'll do the comparison.

Other then that, it's just a before/after comparison.

Steve

krshlln300 · 12/01/2011, 10:31 AM

As far as color goes pc's will always produce a more "flat" dimension that that of a good quality pc.

Myram- I would look into adding a lower kelvin truelumen such as the 8k sun white in addition to another fusion. That would give a nice spectrum for growth while not taking away from the color. Also i am unsure what corals you look to keep but with these you would need to keep just about any SPS you get near the top.

krshlln300 · 12/01/2011, 10:32 AM

I meant good quality LED not pc

myram · 12/01/2011, 07:35 PM

Yeah, the 8k would be more of a yellow light and add another spectrum to the mix. It is a very blue color right now, but it really makes things pop.

I'll keep an eye out for a great deal on a 12" 8k strip to add to the mix.

Steve

myram · 12/02/2011, 08:37 PM

I just emailed the guy I bought these from, and he's going to try and get me an 8000k and another Marine Fusion at the same price. If he can, I'll have them next week and post another picture to show the difference.

The 8000K should take away a bit of the blueness, but it will still look good with the other Marine Fusion.

No SPS for me, just a few softies, shrooms, LPS, and polys/palys.

Steve

vermonter310 · 12/03/2011, 02:36 PM

Could you post a pic of how they're hung in your good please? Thanks

myram · 12/03/2011, 08:43 PM

Next time I have the hood off the tank, I'll take a picture.

They come with small mounting brackets, so it's literally a 5 minute install.

Hopefully have 2-3 more strips coming this week, find out soon.

Steve

grigsy · 12/03/2011, 08:52 PM

There is an easy way to get the PC tank to look better - switch the 03 blue bulb to the 460 nm blue bulb.

A 460nm blue bulb will bring out much more color.

A simple bulb switch will give that PC tank a lot nicer of a look.

myram · 12/06/2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krshlln300

Myram- I would look into adding a lower kelvin truelumen such as the 8k sun white in addition to another fusion. That would give a nice spectrum for growth while not taking away from the color. Also i am unsure what corals you look to keep but with these you would need to keep just about any SPS you get near the top.

So I have a chance to pick up a couple more strips to add to my tank. I can choose form the 8000K, 12000K, or the 12000K/453nm combo. You would recommend a 8000K and a combo to add to my current 2 combos?

Thanks,

Steve

11/28/2011, 06:47 PM	#1
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	PowerCompact vs LED (with pictures) Here is a picture of my tank with a 32w PC 10k/420nm bulb. Here is a picture of my tank with 2-12" TrueLumen Pro Marine Fusion LED 12K/453nm strips. LEDs put out a bluer light, but not as much output as the PC. The PC is definitely brighter, but more white/yellow. PC bulb was just replaced about 2 weeks ago, so it's basically brand new. Steve Last edited by myram; 11/28/2011 at 07:36 PM.

11/28/2011, 07:53 PM	#5
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	The PC may look brighter, but that is probably because our eyes don't see blue well. You can have around 1/20th the yellow-green light compared to blue and the yellow-green will still look brighter. Nevertheless, in that case, the blue is still the same brightness. In a sense, your corals require "real" brightness (PAR), not "perceived" brightness (LUX) if that makes sense? __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

12/03/2011, 02:36 PM	#19
vermonter310 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 730	Could you post a pic of how they're hung in your good please? Thanks __________________ Pain is temporary….. ……It only hurts ‘till you die Current Tank Info: 72g BF,

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Reef Insane Retro-Mood LED	dseco	New to the Hobby	0	11/28/2011 09:53 AM
Stunner 453 LED installed into Biocube 14 hood	Zoanthid777	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	7	06/20/2011 03:23 PM
DIY Led Fixture. How Many led for 120 Gal (5 foot)	beachjf	Do It Yourself	0	06/16/2011 02:10 PM

11/28/2011, 06:58 PM	#2
Patzig Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 72	PC may be brighter, but LED's will likely give more usable light to corals

11/28/2011, 07:01 PM	#3
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Of course these pictures where taken with my DroidX, so the quality isn't as good as it could be. Steve

11/28/2011, 07:35 PM	#4
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	It's almost impossible to judge lighting intensity visually. I bet the led is putting out more par than the power compact.

11/28/2011, 07:59 PM	#6
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	So...........what you are saying..............keep the LEDs? LOL Good thing I like about these are that I can add up to 4 more strips with my 1 power supply, so I can add a lot more light if needed down the road. Steve

11/29/2011, 10:19 AM	#7
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	I'm definitely going to give the LEDs a go and see how everything responds to their light. If needed, I'll add another strip in the future since it's easy and fairly cheap. Steve

11/29/2011, 10:57 AM	#8
jkilty Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Wausau, WI Posts: 7	Love the look of the LEDs...the difference is amazing.

11/29/2011, 11:48 AM	#9
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	I agree, it is a huge difference. And the shimmer they add is great as well. My anemone was shrunk last night, so I'm hoping today he's back out so I can see him under them. At only 18.2w of power, they are cheaper to operate then the 32w bulb they replaced. And I got a great deal on them, so I couldn't pass them up. Steve

11/30/2011, 06:29 AM	#10
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Everything looked great last night, so maybe these lights are doing the trick. Steve

11/30/2011, 06:44 AM	#11
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Go borrow a meter, it is the only way to tell.

11/30/2011, 05:23 PM	#12
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	I'll ask at my LFS tomorrow, but I doubt she has one. Steve

11/30/2011, 05:29 PM	#13
RubberFrog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 286	What exactly are we seeing here other than the difference between 10k/420 and 12k/453? This isn't an accurate PC vs LED comparison. Maybe if you had a comparable bulb in the PC.

12/01/2011, 06:33 AM	#14
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	If you can find a 12k/453nm 32w pc bulb, I'll do the comparison. Other then that, it's just a before/after comparison. Steve

12/01/2011, 10:31 AM	#15
krshlln300 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Robinson twp, PA Posts: 641	As far as color goes pc's will always produce a more "flat" dimension that that of a good quality pc. Myram- I would look into adding a lower kelvin truelumen such as the 8k sun white in addition to another fusion. That would give a nice spectrum for growth while not taking away from the color. Also i am unsure what corals you look to keep but with these you would need to keep just about any SPS you get near the top.

12/01/2011, 10:32 AM	#16
krshlln300 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Robinson twp, PA Posts: 641	I meant good quality LED not pc

12/01/2011, 07:35 PM	#17
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Yeah, the 8k would be more of a yellow light and add another spectrum to the mix. It is a very blue color right now, but it really makes things pop. I'll keep an eye out for a great deal on a 12" 8k strip to add to the mix. Steve

12/02/2011, 08:37 PM	#18
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	I just emailed the guy I bought these from, and he's going to try and get me an 8000k and another Marine Fusion at the same price. If he can, I'll have them next week and post another picture to show the difference. The 8000K should take away a bit of the blueness, but it will still look good with the other Marine Fusion. No SPS for me, just a few softies, shrooms, LPS, and polys/palys. Steve

12/03/2011, 08:43 PM	#20
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Next time I have the hood off the tank, I'll take a picture. They come with small mounting brackets, so it's literally a 5 minute install. Hopefully have 2-3 more strips coming this week, find out soon. Steve

12/03/2011, 08:52 PM	#21
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	There is an easy way to get the PC tank to look better - switch the 03 blue bulb to the 460 nm blue bulb. A 460nm blue bulb will bring out much more color. A simple bulb switch will give that PC tank a lot nicer of a look.