250 MH or CREE LED

Shore Tang · 10/27/2010, 10:26 PM

I am undecided on what to put on my 54 gallon corner. I'm not sure because I really like the look of the MH. On the other hand I like the thought of less heat and electricity used that the LED lighting offers. I also like that i can custom fit to the top for possible better coverage of light throughout the tank. Can I please get some opinions on this situation.

ast · 10/27/2010, 10:36 PM

LED, IMO.
Long list here, http://www.reeftank123.com/lighting/lighting.html

Shore Tang · 02/23/2011, 07:53 PM

Thank you for the link

grigsy · 02/23/2011, 09:57 PM

No doubt in my opinion, go with the 250 watt metal halide.

You like the look of halides and they give better growth than LEDs.

You can get an electronic MH ballast and save electrical consumption.

My friend switched from MH to AI LEDs and says the same thing - better growth from the halides.

Acrotrdco · 02/23/2011, 09:57 PM

Go LED!

Shore Tang · 02/24/2011, 09:21 PM

Thanks guys but I am going to go with a halide. Reason is I can get a 250 halide for 225 bucks shipped to my door step. LED is going to cost well over a thousand bucks for my tank (23 inches deep). So, that means I will buy about 9 bulbs before I equal the cost. I already run 4 vho on my 30 breeder. So my total watts are still lowering by 130 watts. No disrespect to LED's but until they become more affordable I am not on board. I can get a new 250 bulb at any LFS. LED availability at this time is joke. Plus they look spotty in some pics. Looked at a couple of tanks had them. Sorry LED guys/gals

Shore Tang · 02/24/2011, 09:31 PM

I could build the LED system myself but for a 36 bulb setup would be about $650 bucks. A 48 bulb setup would run about $775 bucks and that's with shipping on all the different parts since they come from different suppliers. Problem is no warranty. So I don't like the thought that if something goes wrong there is no security. Too much money to gamble.

chadfarmer · 02/24/2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shore Tang

I could build the LED system myself but for a 36 bulb setup would be about $650 bucks. A 48 bulb setup would run about $775 bucks and that's with shipping on all the different parts since they come from different suppliers. Problem is no warranty. So I don't like the thought that if something goes wrong there is no security. Too much money to gamble.

wow you are getting ripped off than

Shore Tang · 02/24/2011, 10:58 PM

Well can you give me some links to get cheaper parts. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places.

Shore Tang · 02/24/2011, 11:07 PM

I was going to parts express, rapid led, and heatsink USA for the parts. By the way, the build is for 3 watt Cree led and dimmable for each strand of 12. Don't know if that makes a difference.

TheReefNinja · 02/24/2011, 11:15 PM

contact Bill @ reef led lights google reef led lights a 48 led delux kit he has would be just over $500 with 4 drivers less if you only wire for 2 go check it out. Also that is everything you need to get up and running including fans, adhesive, optics, etc... minus a $20 adjustable wallwart from radioshack so no ordering from many places. I went LED and couldnt be happier. MH looks nice but the added heat is a no go for me

NatureNerd · 02/24/2011, 11:24 PM

You need to do the full cost analysis to really find out what is cheaper for you. For me, the costs of running my two 175W MH's and two flourescent tubes is more than LED's after just three years. The initial buy-in costs are made up by lower electric bills and far less bulb replacements. If you run a chiller, I don't, the period to recoupe costs is even less. Do the math, simple spreadsheet, use your electric rates, calculate total wall power consumed, and add bulb replacement costs. The investment is recovered surprisingly quick.

I will eventually switch to LED to save money and I believe it will produce good results.

So, to not go with LED's to save money is a false economy. To not go LED because you think MH is better for growth or appearance is valid for there is not enough evidence that LED is as good in those respects. Although it might be.

Shore Tang · 02/25/2011, 12:06 AM

Thank you guys for taking time to help me out. Now I am back to where i started. Undecided. Just when I thought I figured it out. Great.

savethereef · 02/25/2011, 01:18 AM

i used 250W MH for about 5 years. I recently purchased 4 AI sets. And wow i am so happy. Corals pop and love the low electric bills. no chiller needed.

10/27/2010, 10:26 PM	#1
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	250 MH or CREE LED I am undecided on what to put on my 54 gallon corner. I'm not sure because I really like the look of the MH. On the other hand I like the thought of less heat and electricity used that the LED lighting offers. I also like that i can custom fit to the top for possible better coverage of light throughout the tank. Can I please get some opinions on this situation.

02/24/2011, 11:15 PM	#11
TheReefNinja Imagination superfreak Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: West Chicago, IL. near RT. 59 and RT. 64 Posts: 1,698	contact Bill @ reef led lights google reef led lights a 48 led delux kit he has would be just over $500 with 4 drivers less if you only wire for 2 go check it out. Also that is everything you need to get up and running including fans, adhesive, optics, etc... minus a $20 adjustable wallwart from radioshack so no ordering from many places. I went LED and couldnt be happier. MH looks nice but the added heat is a no go for me __________________ Regards, Tom Current tank: 45g acrylic cube, Sunpod 150w 14k bulb Current Fish: Hey I gots some fish..

02/25/2011, 01:18 AM	#14
savethereef SCRK Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bellflower 90706 CA (So Cal) Posts: 7,720	i used 250W MH for about 5 years. I recently purchased 4 AI sets. And wow i am so happy. Corals pop and love the low electric bills. no chiller needed. __________________ Instead of building a reef in my home i would rather build my home in the reef. Rob aka STR SCRK & SCMAS MEMBER Current Tank Info: Leemar 450g 96L x36W x 30T 3/4 inch Starfire With 70g Sump Vertex 250 Royal Exclusive protein Skimmer Laguna 2900 Return pump 5 Aquaillumination Hydra's LED Modules. 4 Tunze Stream Bubble Magus Doser. Reef Keeper Elite

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10/27/2010, 10:36 PM	#2
ast Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57	LED, IMO. Long list here, http://www.reeftank123.com/lighting/lighting.html

02/23/2011, 07:53 PM	#3
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	Thank you for the link

02/23/2011, 09:57 PM	#4
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	No doubt in my opinion, go with the 250 watt metal halide. You like the look of halides and they give better growth than LEDs. You can get an electronic MH ballast and save electrical consumption. My friend switched from MH to AI LEDs and says the same thing - better growth from the halides.

02/23/2011, 09:57 PM	#5
Acrotrdco Moved On Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 708	Go LED!

02/24/2011, 09:21 PM	#6
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	Thanks guys but I am going to go with a halide. Reason is I can get a 250 halide for 225 bucks shipped to my door step. LED is going to cost well over a thousand bucks for my tank (23 inches deep). So, that means I will buy about 9 bulbs before I equal the cost. I already run 4 vho on my 30 breeder. So my total watts are still lowering by 130 watts. No disrespect to LED's but until they become more affordable I am not on board. I can get a new 250 bulb at any LFS. LED availability at this time is joke. Plus they look spotty in some pics. Looked at a couple of tanks had them. Sorry LED guys/gals

02/24/2011, 09:31 PM	#7
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	I could build the LED system myself but for a 36 bulb setup would be about $650 bucks. A 48 bulb setup would run about $775 bucks and that's with shipping on all the different parts since they come from different suppliers. Problem is no warranty. So I don't like the thought that if something goes wrong there is no security. Too much money to gamble.

02/24/2011, 10:58 PM	#9
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	Well can you give me some links to get cheaper parts. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places.

02/24/2011, 11:07 PM	#10
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	I was going to parts express, rapid led, and heatsink USA for the parts. By the way, the build is for 3 watt Cree led and dimmable for each strand of 12. Don't know if that makes a difference.

02/24/2011, 11:24 PM	#12
NatureNerd Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 877	You need to do the full cost analysis to really find out what is cheaper for you. For me, the costs of running my two 175W MH's and two flourescent tubes is more than LED's after just three years. The initial buy-in costs are made up by lower electric bills and far less bulb replacements. If you run a chiller, I don't, the period to recoupe costs is even less. Do the math, simple spreadsheet, use your electric rates, calculate total wall power consumed, and add bulb replacement costs. The investment is recovered surprisingly quick. I will eventually switch to LED to save money and I believe it will produce good results. So, to not go with LED's to save money is a false economy. To not go LED because you think MH is better for growth or appearance is valid for there is not enough evidence that LED is as good in those respects. Although it might be.

02/25/2011, 12:06 AM	#13
Shore Tang Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: panama city beach, FL Posts: 48	Thank you guys for taking time to help me out. Now I am back to where i started. Undecided. Just when I thought I figured it out. Great.