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06/06/2007, 07:24 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 18
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Can LEDs be used in place of HQIs?
I'm sure this has been raised before, but I was wondering if the LED technology is there yet for replacing the use of metal halides. The main benefits being running costs and heat generation are much lower with LEDs. I'm planning a major overall to my 200g system, so I'd like to seriously consider LEDs. I have soft corals and, of course, fish in my reef.
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06/06/2007, 09:20 AM
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#2 |
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Moved On
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South East Alabama
Posts: 7,853
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PFO Solaris.
kc |
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06/06/2007, 09:37 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 18
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I just read up about the PFO Solaris lighting. Looks awesome. Then I saw the ad saying "Galileo lighting system coming soon". Wonder if it's worth waiting for that to come out...
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06/06/2007, 09:45 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,048
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better have deep pockets, thats for sure.
as of now, I dont think running costs would ever touch the up front cost of the LED units. these arent exactly 20mA LEDs, and MH's are pretty darn efficient. biggest bonus is the heat thing, but on a large tank like 200g, your probably looking at a serious hood fan, if not chiller, anyway.
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current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity. |
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06/06/2007, 09:46 AM
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#5 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC
Posts: 9,908
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Quote:
The solaris has less than 1/3 the par of a 250w 14K bulb. Yeah, less electricity, but less light also, and a $2K startup cost. Save the cash, and buy an LED fixture in 5 years when they can actually compete with current technology. Also, the LEDs used in the solaris are actually LESS efficient than current MH bulbs. You know what that means? More heat per watt, and less light per watt.
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NO TANKS!!! |
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06/06/2007, 09:54 AM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 18
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I wasn't aware of that. I thought the "big sell" with LED was the lower heat output and less electricity consumption for the same output as MH. Oh well, watch this space I guess....
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06/06/2007, 09:55 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC
Posts: 9,908
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Quote:
Marketing.
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NO TANKS!!! |
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06/06/2007, 10:08 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Northern New Mexico
Posts: 17,420
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most people who want The solaris would be better off with t5s
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Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator. |
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