Dimmable LED or not?

Biodork · 04/24/2013, 10:31 AM

I am considering purchasing the new Onyx fixture from Rapid LED. Can anyone provide some advice on going with the dimmable model or not? It will be over a 24"x12"X24" (LxWxH) tank with a mix of SPS and LPS corals. The tank is currently lit by a 175W MH.

Thanks!

Slawdude · 04/24/2013, 03:24 PM

If SPS growth and colour is important to you I would stick with the 175MH or at least consider going to a T5/LED hybrid setup. Sorry, I know that was not your question but thought I would throw that in.

My preference is for dimmable LED setups so you can vary the colour contributions to reach your preferred look. To me it is one of the key advantages of the LED systems at the moment.

E Rosewater · 04/24/2013, 03:42 PM

Dimming is important for getting the color/intensity that you want.

nynick · 04/24/2013, 03:48 PM

Not sure about that unit but I can tell you that I would have fried my entire tank if my lights weren't dimmable. Many LEDs are very strong with much more light than a MH. I went from 250w mh to 120w led and I have to dim it down by roughly 50%.

Ron Reefman · 04/24/2013, 05:19 PM

I wouldn't even consider buying an led fixture that isn't more spectrum than just blue and white or one that doesn't have dimmers. I nice timer/controller makes even more sense.

Biodork · 04/25/2013, 08:42 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm still doing some research into some other LED fixtures, but it seems like ability to control the light output is a must.

alton · 04/25/2013, 11:51 AM

LEDs will drop as an average 3% per year, with a dimmer you are able to maintain the same PAR and intensity for many years.

04/24/2013, 10:31 AM	#1
Biodork Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 129	Dimmable LED or not? I am considering purchasing the new Onyx fixture from Rapid LED. Can anyone provide some advice on going with the dimmable model or not? It will be over a 24"x12"X24" (LxWxH) tank with a mix of SPS and LPS corals. The tank is currently lit by a 175W MH. Thanks!

04/24/2013, 03:24 PM	#2
Slawdude Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Down South Posts: 74	If SPS growth and colour is important to you I would stick with the 175MH or at least consider going to a T5/LED hybrid setup. Sorry, I know that was not your question but thought I would throw that in. My preference is for dimmable LED setups so you can vary the colour contributions to reach your preferred look. To me it is one of the key advantages of the LED systems at the moment. __________________ The rock is hard, the stone cutter is patient..... Current tank setup: http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=148&t=248587

04/24/2013, 05:19 PM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I wouldn't even consider buying an led fixture that isn't more spectrum than just blue and white or one that doesn't have dimmers. I nice timer/controller makes even more sense. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/24/2013, 03:42 PM	#3
E Rosewater Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 846	Dimming is important for getting the color/intensity that you want.

04/24/2013, 03:48 PM	#4
nynick Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,029	Not sure about that unit but I can tell you that I would have fried my entire tank if my lights weren't dimmable. Many LEDs are very strong with much more light than a MH. I went from 250w mh to 120w led and I have to dim it down by roughly 50%.

04/25/2013, 08:42 AM	#6
Biodork Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 129	Thanks everyone for the input. I'm still doing some research into some other LED fixtures, but it seems like ability to control the light output is a must.

04/25/2013, 11:51 AM	#7
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	LEDs will drop as an average 3% per year, with a dimmer you are able to maintain the same PAR and intensity for many years.