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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:18 PM   #1
ocean17
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Question LED's vs. MH

OK, here it goes. Opinions please, I had very good consultants set up a tank in my office and a chiller is somewhat out of the question. I chose LED's based on their advice but now a bunch of new stoney's aren't extending polyps at all. Everything else is doing great so anybody have experience with this.?????


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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:22 PM   #2
Jim96SC2
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More info. Tank size, lighting specifics, etc please.


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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:24 PM   #3
cvincenti
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I can't imagine you could get enough light out of LEDs to support SPS. As for LPS, I'm suspicious here too.

Got lighting specifics?


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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:25 PM   #4
EvMiBo
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more info will be nice, but from the sounds of it get t5s.

LEDs aren't quite there yet in technology. T5 and MH are the top two. If you're worrying about getting a chiller with MHs than why not t5?


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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:26 PM   #5
ocean17
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led

339 deep 60w x 24 d x 43.5 t, Solaris I5


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Unread 01/28/2009, 07:30 PM   #6
Sisterlimonpot
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what about those 100W LED's?


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Unread 01/28/2009, 08:10 PM   #7
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my LFS guy has a tank with some LED's and he is not happy with results so far. Polyps are dying and about the only thing he is winning with are softies. good luck


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Unread 01/28/2009, 08:34 PM   #8
MileHighFish
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43.5 tall is a stretch for LED's and maybe even T5's ( I dont use T5's so maybe someone else will chime in) IMO 400 mh's are your only choice for good SPS growth.


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Unread 01/28/2009, 09:11 PM   #9
Reverend Reefer
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i'm pretty sure you need to add some lights for SPS. +1 on the T5's if you don't want to spend more money/energy/cooling-fans. i saw a tank of the month running T5s with individual reflectors and it looked great!


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Unread 01/28/2009, 09:19 PM   #10
sohal1025
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How long has it been set-up for?


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Unread 01/28/2009, 10:20 PM   #11
DocMark
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My opinion, for what its worth, as you know is:
LEDs are (largely unproven in terms of SPS). Any tanks I have seen with good SPS growth and LEDs are either very shallow or a tank of PFO themselves.
LEDs on a tank that tall are going to be highly questionable. While I think T5s are great, I also think they may be questionable on a tank that tall. I considered T5s strongly on my 30" tall tank, but then went with MH. I am happy I did.
I do not like running chillers, but I do.
The shimmer, sharpness, brightness, color choices, good SPS color and growth, etc. of MH can't be beat, IMO.
Are MH more expensive.........in the long run, sure. If money were the issue, why would we have this hobby in the first place.
I wish you much luck, if you switch to MH, I bet you can sell or find a use for the Solaris. As it is the American made I5, you likely wont have much trouble selling it.
I would like to see how that light does on a 24 " tank, though.
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Unread 01/29/2009, 12:48 AM   #12
VacavilleFC3S
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wow 43"

with a tank that deep your going to have problems with anything but multiple 250w MH's . theres no way t5 or LED are going to penetrate that deep and still give a decent par reading.

i have a friend who makes custom LED flashlights, the LED's that solaris uses are several years old and most likely from china like all the others, the only LED's i know of that might actually work for you are called a P7 there basically 4 led dies in 1 housing about the size of a half marble, unfortunately there $40 a piece but put out nearly 10w. also the color spectrum is very limited and your getting no UVA or UVB


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Unread 01/29/2009, 06:12 AM   #13
ocean17
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Led




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Unread 01/29/2009, 06:13 AM   #14
ocean17
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led



sorry, trying to figure out the photo upload

ocean17


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Unread 01/29/2009, 08:29 AM   #15
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i have a 36" tall tank.. the only way you will be happy is with 250w MHs i would say ever go with 400's


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Unread 01/29/2009, 08:47 AM   #16
Michael
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LEDs can actually penetrate deeper than most of you guys would suspect actually, but i agree with one of the posters above who said they still have a way to go yet


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Unread 01/29/2009, 09:14 AM   #17
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IMO lack of polyp extension buring the photoperiod is not necessarily a concern if you determine that they are polyping in the dark like they do in nature. Before you panic, I'd wait about an hour or two after the lights go out and see if the polyps are out using a flashlight. If they are, then drop some plankton in there at night and don't worry about polyp extension during the day.


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Unread 01/29/2009, 09:31 AM   #18
Juruense
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I would love to see pics of this 339 deep sounds like you went all out on it!


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Unread 01/29/2009, 09:44 AM   #19
MileHighFish
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Re: led

Quote:
Originally posted by ocean17


sorry, trying to figure out the photo upload

ocean17
I agree your tank is lit well but it is also supplemented with T5 and there isnt any coral. So Im still on the fence, does anyone else have a pic of a thriving reef that also has been running the LED's say for several months? Thanks


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Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..
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Unread 01/29/2009, 09:53 AM   #20
Michael
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i know of a guy with a 6ft tank which has 20 12watt led bars over it and its been running for several months and is doing well, however its 2ft deep, i could get some pics, but its part of another site and im unsure if it would be wise to post


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Unread 01/29/2009, 11:37 AM   #21
MileHighFish
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Does this tank contain sps or softies? It would be cool to see pics.


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Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..
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Unread 01/29/2009, 11:42 AM   #22
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As others have mentioned, a 43" deep tank would require multiple 400W MH to get adequate light to the bottom, but the photos show some tall rock work so I'm sure some SPS corals would do ok placed at the top. It looks pretty bright in the photos.

As far as the lack of polyp extension, that could be an issue of flow and water params just as much as light. The tank does look new so it may just be an issue of tank maturity. If the corals are keeping their color (and not losing tissue), I'd just leave them be and make sure you are keeping your calcium alkalinity and pH in the proper range.


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Unread 01/29/2009, 11:43 AM   #23
Michael
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Quote:
Originally posted by MileHighFish
Does this tank contain sps or softies? It would be cool to see pics.
pm sent


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