Upgrading VHO actinic with LED?...using with Radiums

[AkaSlyGuy]

I currently have 3x250w Radiums on m80 ballasts and 2 VHO actinics over my 180g tank that is mostly SPS. It is time to replace the VHO bulbs and I have decided to put that money towards some actinic LEDs.

I have searched on here and found posts about people "thinking" about using Current USA truelumen pro blue strips with their Radiums, but did not see any updates on what they went with. Two common ones I see mentioned are the Truelumen pros or the Reefbrite strips. I am just looking for that extra "pop" while the Radiums are running and for viewing when the Radiums are off (dawn/dusk). I know the Radiums grow great corals even without supplimentation, but does the VHO or LEDs benefit the corals much or is it mostly for our viewing? I got to see a tank this weekend that used 2 48in blue truelumen pro blue strips with their 400w Radiums. It was not a DRASTIC difference with the LED on or off, but a lot of the corals did fluores more. I wish I had had more time to really check it out, but we were in a hurry.

Any Radium uses using either of these LEDs want to comment?

Thanks
Joe

[JAustin]

I would just DIY some blue, royal blue, and UV LEDs and make my own actinic strips. That would save you money and you would get a better looking product with the mix of all the spectrums.

[sirreal63]

I would go wi either a ReefBrites ot EcoXotics Panorama Pro. The ReefBrites are a better bargain I think, for that size tank. The Stunner strips would also work but may be a bit under powered.

[Chris Lakies]

Hey Joe,

I'm looking at doing the same thing adding a actinic LED for my Radium.

Looking at DIY'ing because so freakin easy! For me i will be using a 36" x 1.4 aluminum heatsink pre-drilled n tapped.

Going to do a Mean well LPC-35-700 driver.

Using 14 leds - still trying to figure out colors as close to the UV super actinic as possible.

Might try 10 of the cree XTE Royals along with 4 violet 410-420nm wavelength

[James77]

I use a ReefBrite XHO strip, and have used their standard strip as well. Both are great, I'm on the fence as to whehter the XHO is worth the extra $, but you do get double the LEDs.

Far better than a DIY actinic strip I tried. The coverage stunk on the DIY one even with wide optics, and the light spill and glarewithout them was unacceptable. My 36" reefbrite fully covers a 120g (4x2x2) tank front to back, with almost no spile F to B, and minimal on the sides. No glare at all since I bank it inwards towards the tank.

[AkaSlyGuy]

I am leaning more toward a finished model instead of a DYI. I don't feel like messing with it. I am reading lots of good things on the reefbrites. Would I need 2 of the 48inch blues to equal what I am seeing with 2, five foot VHOs? I am not quite ready to totally switch to LEDs yet. I guess I am scared to switch from the Radiums. Maybe I could do 1 blue, and one white or 50/50 reefbrite and have a step below the full power radiums to enjoy the tank with a somewhat normal color before it switches to all blue. Would I just be waisting money that way on a 180g tank?

Thanks

[Chris Lakies]

Pulled the trigger on 8 rb xte's. I already have a driver and will use a 36" square 1" aluminum extrusion from lowes for heat sink , i just wanted to go the most affordable route.

[AkaSlyGuy]

The more I look I think I am about to buy 2 of the 60in blue reefbrites for my tank. Not the XHO models. I know it will be a great look, I wonder if it will positively effect the corals or not.

Joe

[tkeracer619]

The halides already have the proper spectrum for your corals. Anything additional is probably just for your pleasure. 250w Radiums on m80s are putting out tons of light.

[Chris Lakies]

Im sure it will look great!