torn between LED and Plasma Arc Light

[corbett_n]

What is different about the induction fluorescent compared to what we have now?

[teesquare]

say what???

Here is what I know from looking at them in different envirements:

LEDS are brighter - almost to bright to me, especially in a well light room.

Plasma - is more subtle, more film like and more realistic color rendition.

But I don't know nuttin' 'bout inducin' no florons!
T

[Zire]

I didn't hear about induction previously either. From what I've seen though plasma seem to function as more powerful and efficient metal halides. LEDs have developed by leaps and bounds but I've still yet to see a really viable option for them to replace the likes of 1000 Watt MH bulbs whereas plasma lighting can. I really think it's too early to count any of these technologies out.

[teesquare]

O.K....got my meds...

Sorry for the earlier post - I really thought you were asking about TV's!!!

(turning shades of red, emabarrassment....)

[Zire]

Originally Posted by teesquare

O.K....got my meds...

Sorry for the earlier post - I really thought you were asking about TV's!!!

(turning shades of red, emabarrassment....)

Haha, and I thought you were talking about reef lights with your TV post. Hmmm...

[teesquare]

O.K. -Zire...now i am worried about you as well!

[zygote2k]

Whatever lighting technology that makes it easier for the general public and mass consumption is the one that will win. LED will win just for the sheer versatility in making small lights. Anything that uses a gas filled bulb will be kicked to the curb. It might be 20 years before the bulbs are completely gone, but they will.
Doesn't anyone remember the VHS vs Betamax? Beta had so much better picture and sound clarity, but VHS won because of its' availability and price.

[corbett_n]

VHS won because porn used that medium

[Zire]

Would'nt porn look and sound better on betamax though? Or maybe avid porn watchers jsut don't have too much money to drop on the latest and greatest... hmmmm...

[ErikS]

Originally Posted by corbett_n

VHS won because porn used that medium

A myth, VHS won due to licensing & it was first with the ability to record two hours (a movie).

I can see plasma working for larger installs where you'd need tons of LEDs............general 6' & under? Nope, electrical savings aren't there.

[jestersix]

The one thing that you don't hear much about is what happens when it is time to change those LEDs...nice new fixture you bought there!

Of course, I'm running plasmas so I am a bit biased...no,wait...I run MH, LED and T5 too! At this point I think plasma is only going to get better, and in my experience if you like the color rendition of 97% it is a great option. Price isn't bad when you compare over time.

So much of lighting is subjective as long as it will meet your needs - plasmas will certainly grow SPS if that is a concern. Of course, so will T5s, MH, LEDS even Compact Flourescents in the right situation. For me, it was a case of a fun new technology to experiment with. Still at the new edge of using it, but I'm of the opinion that it will only get better.

[thatguy559]

with the plasma light you can always supplement with Reef Brite strip blue leds....i think im leaning towards plasma.

[teesquare]

How do you propose to deal witht eh heat that the plasma lights produce...? Very hot!

T

[Zire]

Originally Posted by teesquare

How do you propose to deal witht eh heat that the plasma lights produce...? Very hot!

T

As far as I know Plasma created significantly more heat than LEDs, but less than Metal Halide.

[teesquare]

I am not sure about that...You may want to pose that question about heat to Sanjay Joshi. He recently played with a plasma light, and - forgive my memory, because I am not certain - but I think his comments were that it produced quite a bit of heat.
Not steering you away rorm plasma - just looking for all the info I can get on them as I am interested in them as well.
T

[Anemonebuff]

Originally Posted by corbett_n

What is different about the induction fluorescent compared to what we have now?

Induction uses far less mercury, last longer, and gives off more lumens/watt. I researched them, but they do not add glitter lines, currently only avaiable in 5500-6500K, and are not cheap.

[Anemonebuff]

Imagine this BAD@ZZ light:

http://plasma-i.com/sulphur-plasma-light.htm

[thatguy559]

i was told by a fellow reefer that they produce as much heat as a 150w mh

[teesquare]

That is a very anecdotal unit of measure....My t-5 fixture produces more than my 350 watt MH's. By approx 5 degrees.

I know that Sanjay Joshi had some plasmas arrive at his house just before MACNA - and he was going to be testing them. I am sure he will be publishing the data soon.

ZT

[Anemonebuff]

Originally Posted by thatguy559

i was told by a fellow reefer that they produce as much heat as a 150w mh

If that is the case that is not bad. It uses 290 watts at full power and fives off more PAR/lumens than a 250 watt bulb(if not 400W).

[Beaun]

My guess that the 150w MH heat is probably generous, but even if its comparable to 250w of MH that is still good.

This info is from Sfiligoi:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=16

The entire thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1849645

Vision Specs:

-available in single 24" and dual 48" fixtures
-Plasma dimmable from 100-20% via compatible 0-10v DC controllers (Sfiligoi Link, Profilux, Neptune Apex)
-manual, external dimmer included
-long life, up to 50 000hrs
-Dimmable T5's upgrade option via Sfiligoi Link, Profilux, Neptune Apex
-LED Moon's
-Fan Cooled generator

-Vision performance equivelants:

Plasma output = 600w MH
Power Consumption = 260w
Heat Generation = 150w MH

Pricing:

Vision Single 24" - $2995.00
Vision Single 24" T5 Dimmable - $3495.00

Vision Dual 48" - $5895.00
Vision Dual 48" T5 Dimmable - $6495.00

More info: http://www.aquaticselite.com/Sfiligo...lasma_s/53.htm

[thatguy559]

okay so here it is....the time has come to choose between the 2.

leds 2x180w fixtures 1:1 ratio total of 360watts uses 4 outlets= $1000 +tax

plasma 290watt fixture dimable down to 20% heat output of a 150watt mh = $1070 +tax.
http://www.straylightoptical.com/res...m-brochure.pdf

what am i going to choose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wickedfish]

If you cant look at them in person its a stab in the dark if you like one in person better pull the trigger. Today was 94F. and my chiller turned on quite a bit I have 250w mh at 14" over the water. I dont know anyone with a plasma light fixture so I cant comment on what they look like but I hear 10k thats way to white for my taste, the LEd's seem to have almost no heat that would vary your temp in your aquarium when placed 10" or higher and they have controls to go bluer or whiter with a twist of a knob also they usually come with a controller that simulates all sorts of things that go on in nature. Use your money wisely say no to chillers say no to replacing bulbs, okay if you need to change a bulb on the led, I have seen that option but from the info they give out it rarely happens since thier life span is longer than most of us will be in the hobby or maybe not. I spend at least 35-60$ on my light related electricity bill with chiller and lights. Fed up with the heat issues. Buy what makes you happy.

[cubsare1]

what kind of coverage can you get with 1 plasma light like the one linked to from straylight? Would it only cover a 2 ft area or larger, I know hanging it higher would spread it out but then the par would also go down.

[stephane]

We heard about plasma for 10+ years now......

Plasma could be good but for now they are DOA for the mass reefer. First the color is not what most want and second the use of a 290watt one bulb is to strong for most
22-30 inch deep tank.

LED for now could light a 24x24 area 22-30 inch SPS tank with around 150 watt customizable color so forget about a one point light of 290 watt 5500k. Yes they have some usage advantage for swimming pool reef but be honest how many of those they will sales compare to LED

If plasma luxim is ready to invest in producing lower wattage higher kelvin light maybe we could talk about something usable but for now the company go for the big $$$ and they are produce for outdoor light where you need to replace 400-1000 watt yellow light and notting for mass home aquarium user.

What technology is better we could speculate and talk about it forever but the fact are now as we talk the LED is cheaper, available everywhere, they sell tons of them for many use. The company LED making all fight and invest billion to improve and do R&D where Plasma luxim a small company alone with is patent don't really seem to have any interest in aquarium market....mmmmm I let you decide which one will win....