LEDs, are they "there" yet?

griffithimage · 10/01/2007, 07:02 AM

I'm interested to know how many of you out there are using LEDs. Is the technology mature enough yet? I can certainly see some advantages in terms of bulb duration and heat. They also seem mighty expensive. What are peoples real world experiences?

thorsen · 10/01/2007, 10:49 AM

I posted a similar question a day or two ago, but didn't get many responces. I would think LED's would be the most discussed item here since they will undoubtedly change reefkeeping, but it is strangly quiet. I know there are three companies making them now - Aquaillumination (I think the best but that's debated), PFO, and now Current USA. I also have seen pictures of people using LED's with good results so they certainly work. I think for most people though, they remain unaffordable still. The best thread I have found on the topic is:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

triggerfish1976 · 10/01/2007, 11:00 AM

Some of the tests performed to date show that LED has promise but they really have not been out long enough and the "practical use" demographic is so small to be able to determine if they are comparable in efficiency to other light sources. When I say efficieny I not only mean price but use as well.

hyperfocal · 10/01/2007, 11:05 AM

Every thread on LEDs seems to devolve into the same basic argument. The "New & Cool" vs. "Not Efficient Enough Yet" gangs

USC-fan · 10/01/2007, 11:37 AM

LEDs are not ready for prime time just yet. Another 5-10 years and they most likely will be the main lighting sources for most reef tanks.

saleenpwr88 · 10/01/2007, 11:41 AM

Do they have the same shimmer as a MH. If they don't, I think a lot of people, including myself, won't make the switch.

griffithimage · 10/01/2007, 12:18 PM

shimmer is important to me as well

Josh125 · 10/01/2007, 12:27 PM

You know that a single household light bulb will create a shimmer effect. It's driven by a single source light and doesn't make a hill of beans difference in the health of the aquarium.

Ty1e · 10/01/2007, 12:37 PM

i've seen a one or two on reefers tanks and things seem to be working good, but IMO way to much money.

triggerfish1976 · 10/01/2007, 12:52 PM

Keep in mind that T-5's were all the rage when they came out as well for many of the same reasons (lower energy consumption, lower heat) and many hobbyists made the switch from MH's to T-5's because tests showed that they could be comparable but after a year or so of running the new bulbs most converted back because the results with SPS were not what we had hoped for.
I am not saying LED's are going to suffer the same fate because they are much more flexible than Fluorescents but I think it will still be another year or so before hard real time data comes back on how SPS do longer term under LED's.

Johnsteph10 · 10/01/2007, 01:14 PM

The "cost to benefit ratio" for LEDs are not even close yet for them to be considered a decent value.

griffithimage · 10/01/2007, 02:16 PM

the shimmer effect is because I like it, not for the corals

Quote:

Originally posted by saleenpwr88
Do they have the same shimmer as a MH. If they don't, I think a lot of people, including myself, won't make the switch.

pIankton · 10/01/2007, 02:19 PM

A guy in our local club had the Solaris. He said it was cool, but ended up switching back to halides after a few months.

Shaun120 · 10/01/2007, 03:54 PM

The moon light LEDs shimmer, so I would think the LED fixtures would too.

LEDs are far too expensive right now, but will be the future. I also read about UV LEDs in a Microbiology mag...maybe future source of UV sterilizers

10/01/2007, 07:02 AM	#1
griffithimage Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Markham, Ontario, Canada Posts: 266	LEDs, are they "there" yet? I'm interested to know how many of you out there are using LEDs. Is the technology mature enough yet? I can certainly see some advantages in terms of bulb duration and heat. They also seem mighty expensive. What are peoples real world experiences?

10/01/2007, 10:49 AM	#2
thorsen Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 204	I posted a similar question a day or two ago, but didn't get many responces. I would think LED's would be the most discussed item here since they will undoubtedly change reefkeeping, but it is strangly quiet. I know there are three companies making them now - Aquaillumination (I think the best but that's debated), PFO, and now Current USA. I also have seen pictures of people using LED's with good results so they certainly work. I think for most people though, they remain unaffordable still. The best thread I have found on the topic is: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1 __________________ And God said, let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life... Genesis 1:20 Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

10/01/2007, 11:05 AM	#4
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Every thread on LEDs seems to devolve into the same basic argument. The "New & Cool" vs. "Not Efficient Enough Yet" gangs __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

10/01/2007, 12:37 PM	#9
Ty1e Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 620	i've seen a one or two on reefers tanks and things seem to be working good, but IMO way to much money. __________________ Tyson. Current Tank Info: 70 gal rimless

10/01/2007, 01:14 PM	#11
Johnsteph10 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The South Posts: 2,537	The "cost to benefit ratio" for LEDs are not even close yet for them to be considered a decent value. __________________ John Current Tank Info: None

10/01/2007, 11:00 AM	#3
triggerfish1976 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Land of Smiles Posts: 2,980	Some of the tests performed to date show that LED has promise but they really have not been out long enough and the "practical use" demographic is so small to be able to determine if they are comparable in efficiency to other light sources. When I say efficieny I not only mean price but use as well.

10/01/2007, 11:37 AM	#5
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	LEDs are not ready for prime time just yet. Another 5-10 years and they most likely will be the main lighting sources for most reef tanks.

10/01/2007, 11:41 AM	#6
saleenpwr88 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Roselle Posts: 2,051	Do they have the same shimmer as a MH. If they don't, I think a lot of people, including myself, won't make the switch.

10/01/2007, 12:18 PM	#7
griffithimage Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Markham, Ontario, Canada Posts: 266	shimmer is important to me as well

10/01/2007, 12:27 PM	#8
Josh125 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fulshear, TX Posts: 979	You know that a single household light bulb will create a shimmer effect. It's driven by a single source light and doesn't make a hill of beans difference in the health of the aquarium.

10/01/2007, 12:52 PM	#10
triggerfish1976 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Land of Smiles Posts: 2,980	Keep in mind that T-5's were all the rage when they came out as well for many of the same reasons (lower energy consumption, lower heat) and many hobbyists made the switch from MH's to T-5's because tests showed that they could be comparable but after a year or so of running the new bulbs most converted back because the results with SPS were not what we had hoped for. I am not saying LED's are going to suffer the same fate because they are much more flexible than Fluorescents but I think it will still be another year or so before hard real time data comes back on how SPS do longer term under LED's.

10/01/2007, 02:19 PM	#13
pIankton Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 556	A guy in our local club had the Solaris. He said it was cool, but ended up switching back to halides after a few months.

10/01/2007, 03:54 PM	#14
Shaun120 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 259	The moon light LEDs shimmer, so I would think the LED fixtures would too. LEDs are far too expensive right now, but will be the future. I also read about UV LEDs in a Microbiology mag...maybe future source of UV sterilizers __________________ I'm givin' er all she's got Captain! Current Tank Info: 225 Reef + 120 FOWLR in-wall system, and 68 FOWLR