Upgrading away from black box LEDs - suggestions?

[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by jason2459

I think my point though was one thing I never hear about are the spectrum of the LEDs lasting and shifting. Just like T5's. The LED may last 5 billion hours but if the light shifts away from the spectrum we want because the phosphors in it are burning out and is more conducive to algae and cyano then corals it's useless. It may still light up and produce the PAR but the PUR is gone...

I thank you for that info, I was not aware of that. That is another thing to consider with Leds, which is even worse because testing par is relatively easy now pur will be impossible for most of us...so we have one more variable to worry about with the darn leds...

I'm liking more and more to replace bulbs, after all I do so and am assured the fixture will get me what I paid for, and will perform just like it did when brand new. When one has $1000's of sps in a large system, the cost of bulbs can even mean "light pur/par insurance" lol

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by ReefCowboy

I thank you for that info, I was not aware of that. That is another thing to consider with Leds, which is even worse because testing par is relatively easy now Pur will be impossible for most of us...so we have one more variable to worry about with the damn leds...

I'm liking more and more to replace bulbs, after all I do so and am assured the fixture will get me what I paid for, and will perform just like it did when brand new. When one has $1000's of sps in a large system, the cost of bulbs can even mean "light pur/par insurance" lol

The Seneye Reef Monitor is a way to get an idea of the PUR from the PAR of what is lighting the tank.

I just compared the Seneye to a Apogee MQ-510 which did really well against.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2626700

I think these are important to track over time to know when to turn up the intensity or when to replace the LEDs.

[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by jason2459

The Seneye Reef Monitor is a way to get an idea of the PUR from the PAR of what is lighting the tank.

I just compared the Seneye to a Apogee MQ-510 which did really well against.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2626700

I think these are important to track over time to know when to turn up the intensity or when to replace the LEDs.

Thank you for that test, I guess the seneye is becoming more of a necessity to the hobby. I might get it. Will check out the test on the thread Jason, thanks again for helping.

[Ninsha]

Thanks everybody for all of the replies - I didn't expect such a great response!

So since I've posted this I have taken in all of the feedback and I made some adjustments.

My lights were 6 inches off of the water, I've moved them to about 1 ft off the water. I've also dropped the whites to about 30% and the blues to about 40%.

I also resolved a Phosphate issue that I think was really the root of the problem.

I have zoas in my tank now that have never opened up since I brought them home that are now wide open, and everything except my flower pot looks extremely happy. I knew the flower pot was a risk, and higher than my level of expertise, so I'm not too surprised there.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I think I'll end up sticking with these lights until they develop a problem, and then maybe I'll go with something that has some additional features, but it looks like the lights were not the problem. Thanks again!


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