So it seems LED fixtures are finally affordable, but which one is comparable to 250W?

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 02:28 PM

Ok it seems that LED fixtures are finally in the affordable range, $250 or less.

But which one would be comparable to the intensity of a 20k 250W MH?

Right now I have a 24" Coralife Deluxe with 20k 250W MH, 2 PC bulbs for actinics and 2 LED's for moon lights.

I love the shimmer of the MH, so the LED fixture must be able to replicate this along with providing the actinic feature as well as having moon lights.

And I only need a 24" unit.

What do you guys suggest?

James404 · 12/05/2010, 02:31 PM

Not sure what fixtures you are seeing for $250 but I am pretty sure it is not going to be anywhere close to the intensity of a 250w MH. You cant even DIY a led fixture for that price for a nano.

Fishfish0001 · 12/05/2010, 02:32 PM

Whats your price limit? AI Sol's are awesome IMHO. (and a 12" AI Sol does 24" of tank)

James404 · 12/05/2010, 02:35 PM

24" AI Sols are $1200, he was looking at fixtures under $250. I've only seen LEDs that are ok for FO setups in that price range.

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 02:37 PM

Marineland seems to have fixtures for less than $200 right now...

And I would want one for a reef setup.

But I'm not going to convert unless I can get the same growth/intensity of my current 250W setup.

I'd love to get another Coralife light, but don't know how their LED's compare.

Fishfish0001 · 12/05/2010, 02:42 PM

Oh. I though he was implying that his tank was 24". If it was then thats only $600~ for a good LED.

Cadlights has a $350 LED but no clue how good it is.

ludnix · 12/05/2010, 02:47 PM

You're not going to find a fixture that replicates a 250w metal halide for $250. The new marineland LED reef capable lighting is not even close to that brightness.

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 02:49 PM

My tank is 24" so I only need a 24" light. (my current Coralife 250W is 24")

Are there any 24" LED fixtures on the market that compare to 250W for growth factor?

Fishfish0001 · 12/05/2010, 02:55 PM

AI sol gets really good par:

You only need a 12" of those too because they have good spread. But it is a bit more expensive.

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 02:57 PM

I should also mention my tank is only 20" tall.

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishfish0001

Oh. I though he was implying that his tank was 24". If it was then thats only $600~ for a good LED.

Cadlights has a $350 LED but no clue how good it is.

I took a look at that light on Cadlights website and they say it is comparable to a 250W HQI.

hmm seems interesting and Cadlights usually puts out a really good product.

But it also says there are only two switchs for main white LED's and actinics. It doesnt seem to mention an option for moon lights.

For me personally all 3 stages of lighting are a must for me to convert. They all bring something different and amazing to the table.

Fishfish0001 · 12/05/2010, 05:03 PM

Could always attach some moonlights to it. Or un the Blue's very low.

jeff@zina.com · 12/05/2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agoutihead

Are there any 24" LED fixtures on the market that compare to 250W for growth factor?

Not for under a grand. The Marineland fixtures are about the same as a single T5 bulb. Maybe.

Jeff

Reefobsession · 12/05/2010, 07:28 PM

The AI SOLE Blue is perfect for you. You only need one module for a 24"X24"X24"tall area. I want o get two for my 93 cube some day when I dave up some money. You can get one module with controller and lighting rail for around $600.

agoutihead · 12/05/2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

Not for under a grand. The Marineland fixtures are about the same as a single T5 bulb. Maybe.

Jeff

Actually doing some more research there seems to be a few options $450 and less that will compare to a 250W.

http://www.boostled.com/collections/...35w-led-module $300 for this one!

http://www.aquashoponline.com/45-new...-in-timer.html this one ranges from $300 to $435 for the 24" and upgrading to Cree LEDS.

And there is another guy on NR that is doing some really really nice quality units with anodized aluminum housings and 3W LEDs for $450.

unbelievable · 12/05/2010, 07:52 PM

Reefkoi sells an led fixture as well.

dre_dem · 12/06/2010, 03:03 AM

I am interested in getting new lights for my tank. My budget is 400 for the whole lighting system any ideas?

reefermad619 · 12/06/2010, 11:14 AM

To the op: here's a link from one of my local forums about a group buy for led fixtures
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72510

This dude even list par readings comparing a 250 halide and his led fixtures. People that I know who have these fixture use 1-120watt fixture per 24 cubic inches of tank. So a up to a 60 cube. I haven't seen more than that because of the spread of light.

ChicagoReefer88 · 12/06/2010, 12:00 PM

you will not find a fixture you can buy for under 250 bucks. If you wanna spend a little bit over 300 got to reefledlights.com the retro builds are unbelievably cheap and def. comparable to MH!

njdevilsfan · 12/07/2010, 05:51 AM

reefkoi lights are getting good reviews from people in my local club

njdevilsfan · 12/07/2010, 05:52 AM

when you see the blues only from the leds you wil have no need for moonlights

Reefobsession · 12/07/2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njdevilsfan

reefkoi lights are getting good reviews from people in my local club

Doesn't the 1W LED's concern you?

richard snyder · 12/07/2010, 07:37 PM

Bluemoon aquatics has LED lighting at reasonable prices. Check with Champion lighting believe they have a 120 watt for between 4 and 5 hundred

12/05/2010, 02:28 PM	#1
agoutihead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,720	So it seems LED fixtures are finally affordable, but which one is comparable to 250W? Ok it seems that LED fixtures are finally in the affordable range, $250 or less. But which one would be comparable to the intensity of a 20k 250W MH? Right now I have a 24" Coralife Deluxe with 20k 250W MH, 2 PC bulbs for actinics and 2 LED's for moon lights. I love the shimmer of the MH, so the LED fixture must be able to replicate this along with providing the actinic feature as well as having moon lights. And I only need a 24" unit. What do you guys suggest? __________________ Experience the Liquid Realm...

12/05/2010, 02:31 PM	#2
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	Not sure what fixtures you are seeing for $250 but I am pretty sure it is not going to be anywhere close to the intensity of a 250w MH. You cant even DIY a led fixture for that price for a nano. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

12/05/2010, 02:35 PM	#4
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	24" AI Sols are $1200, he was looking at fixtures under $250. I've only seen LEDs that are ok for FO setups in that price range. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

12/05/2010, 02:37 PM	#5
agoutihead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,720	Marineland seems to have fixtures for less than $200 right now... And I would want one for a reef setup. But I'm not going to convert unless I can get the same growth/intensity of my current 250W setup. I'd love to get another Coralife light, but don't know how their LED's compare. __________________ Experience the Liquid Realm...

12/05/2010, 02:47 PM	#7
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	You're not going to find a fixture that replicates a 250w metal halide for $250. The new marineland LED reef capable lighting is not even close to that brightness. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

12/05/2010, 02:32 PM	#3
Fishfish0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 353	Whats your price limit? AI Sol's are awesome IMHO. (and a 12" AI Sol does 24" of tank)

12/05/2010, 02:42 PM	#6
Fishfish0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 353	Oh. I though he was implying that his tank was 24". If it was then thats only $600~ for a good LED. Cadlights has a $350 LED but no clue how good it is.

12/05/2010, 02:49 PM	#8
agoutihead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,720	My tank is 24" so I only need a 24" light. (my current Coralife 250W is 24") Are there any 24" LED fixtures on the market that compare to 250W for growth factor? __________________ Experience the Liquid Realm...

12/05/2010, 02:55 PM	#9
Fishfish0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 353	AI sol gets really good par: You only need a 12" of those too because they have good spread. But it is a bit more expensive.

12/05/2010, 02:57 PM	#10
agoutihead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,720	I should also mention my tank is only 20" tall. __________________ Experience the Liquid Realm...

12/05/2010, 05:03 PM	#12
Fishfish0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 353	Could always attach some moonlights to it. Or un the Blue's very low.

12/05/2010, 07:28 PM	#14
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	The AI SOLE Blue is perfect for you. You only need one module for a 24"X24"X24"tall area. I want o get two for my 93 cube some day when I dave up some money. You can get one module with controller and lighting rail for around $600.

12/05/2010, 07:52 PM	#16
unbelievable Moved On Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 534	Reefkoi sells an led fixture as well.

12/06/2010, 03:03 AM	#17
dre_dem Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: MOSES LAKE, WA Posts: 2	I am interested in getting new lights for my tank. My budget is 400 for the whole lighting system any ideas?

12/06/2010, 11:14 AM	#18
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	To the op: here's a link from one of my local forums about a group buy for led fixtures http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72510 This dude even list par readings comparing a 250 halide and his led fixtures. People that I know who have these fixture use 1-120watt fixture per 24 cubic inches of tank. So a up to a 60 cube. I haven't seen more than that because of the spread of light. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

12/06/2010, 12:00 PM	#19
ChicagoReefer88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 121	you will not find a fixture you can buy for under 250 bucks. If you wanna spend a little bit over 300 got to reefledlights.com the retro builds are unbelievably cheap and def. comparable to MH!

12/07/2010, 05:51 AM	#20
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	reefkoi lights are getting good reviews from people in my local club __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

12/07/2010, 05:52 AM	#21
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	when you see the blues only from the leds you wil have no need for moonlights __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

12/07/2010, 07:37 PM	#23
richard snyder Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: allentown,pa. Posts: 67	Bluemoon aquatics has LED lighting at reasonable prices. Check with Champion lighting believe they have a 120 watt for between 4 and 5 hundred __________________ reefpsycho Current Tank Info: 350 gal. reef

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