Help me Switch to LED

kingfisherflesh · 06/11/2012, 03:01 PM

Hey guys - its time to replace the bulbs on my tank.

Its a 125g tank, and Im running 2x 250w MH's, and 2x 160w VHO.

This is going to cost me a lot of money, probably almost $400.

That, paired with the at least $100 I could get for this fixture leaves me with some money.

Im not seeing the kind of growth that I would like to see in my tank with my current setup, and there are things I could change (pull my glass lids - although the mess it would make on my lights I dont think is worth it) and replace the bulbs (which I think are 14k) with ones that are 12k.

I hate the look of most DIY fixtures, the light looks super fake, and I dont want that. Its a mixed reef, but the top crest is all SPS, and Id like to see those things start to grow a little faster.

I want something that is tried and true, some fixtures have been out there long enough that we should be seeing almost fully developed tanks from people like aqua illuminations etc.

Any help at all is appreciated, I need a direction to go in. Thanks

kingfisherflesh · 06/11/2012, 06:22 PM

Bump - I know people have purchased LED's. Tell me what you bought, why, and what your experience has been.

Good ones perferred...people who have grown stuff with them.

What was your growth rate like?

Thanks

Seahorse NJRC · 06/11/2012, 06:55 PM

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Seahorse NJRC · 06/11/2012, 06:56 PM

I have excellent growth with my maxspect mazarra p-series on my 55.

pgaudreau · 06/11/2012, 08:02 PM

Ecotech radeons. Love them growth is unbelievable. Great service

Ella · 06/11/2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemmy

I have excellent growth with my maxspect mazarra p-series on my 55.

I have changed to LED fixture and finally gave up maxspect mazarra p-series because it is not enough power with only 3W LED each for my deep tank. So I bought ZETLGIHT ZP3300, there are two 35W LEDs and color temp is 12000K for white LED. In my opinion, they are more suitable spectrum for corals.

sczlars · 06/11/2012, 11:38 PM

Kessil A350. More blue wavelengths than other LED fixtures.. The single point shimmer look of halides. My corals are loving it.

edit: guess I should back that up. There was this post by Robert of Neptune Aquatics on another thread:
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/s....php?t=2162091

kingfisherflesh · 06/12/2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sczlars

Kessil A350. More blue wavelengths than other LED fixtures.. The single point shimmer look of halides. My corals are loving it.

edit: guess I should back that up. There was this post by Robert of Neptune Aquatics on another thread:
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/s....php?t=2162091

How many fixtures would you suggest for my tank? Thanks for the thread, reading it now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ella

I have changed to LED fixture and finally gave up maxspect mazarra p-series because it is not enough power with only 3W LED each for my deep tank. So I bought ZETLGIHT ZP3300, there are two 35W LEDs and color temp is 12000K for white LED. In my opinion, they are more suitable spectrum for corals.

So what would you suggest on my tank? Number of fixtures etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgaudreau

Ecotech radeons. Love them growth is unbelievable. Great service

How many of these would you suggest to light my tank?

I want to see more growth than I have now with my current set up - so it has to at least meet or exceed my lighting now.

iereefer · 06/12/2012, 08:34 AM

Make the switch, you'll love it..wife loves it too. Edison bill is down, coral pop is rediculous, low heat, etc..i went from 2x150 phoenix w 2x54w ati to 2x250w radiom w 4x54w geiseman to 2x250 phoenix w 4x80w geiseman. All are are great till the edison bill comes and it nightmare. Ive used TMC-AquaRay HD1000 tiles (the radion or AI in UK) to pricey for a little sucker. Used 3 HD1000 tiles n 4 500/600 beams, controller sold seperatly. Burned 2holes in my wallet....end of the month edison billed was half, sold 1/3 chiller, no need for it...

Donkeykong · 06/12/2012, 09:50 AM

I am guessing it is a standard 125 at 6 feet. I have AI Sol's, I would have went radions but I could swing the price. 3 radions will run you $2250, 3 Sols with 70 degree optics will run you $1450 or 4 sols will run you $1600. This is all well above your estimated $500. LED's have a BIG entry point but make up for it in time with no bulb changes lower eletricity not only from the lights but most no longer need run chillers. There are cheaper units like the ebay special that are like $200 and you can run 4 for $800 but will have to run times and such as they do not come with the controllability as the nicer units. Kessils, I have no personal experience except what I have seen from around my local club, softies and LPS do really well, but there has been alot of loss of SPS from everyone who has tried them. But that was the a150 units I have not seen the a350 yet.

kingfisherflesh · 06/12/2012, 11:19 AM

The ammount of money is not the max I am willing to spend, its just cash in hand moving forward. I can a really good deal through a store I know, and get the AI's for their cost most likely.

What does everyone think about that?

Thanks Donkeykong, good post. Want to talk a little about your experience with the AI units?

Thanks everyone - we need more recommendations for me!

Donkeykong · 06/12/2012, 11:40 AM

I have had my AI's for a while now and have had good growth and coloration. I only lost one SPS during the transition period. Take your time, if you get in a hurry you can and will burn your corals. If your tank is under 24" inches deep I strongly suggest switching out the optics to the 70 degree ones, this will allow you to increase the intensity with lower risk of hot spotting your corals, as well as have better spread and color blending. I have to be honest I do see a lacking of vibrancy in some of my red corals. My rose bubble tip anemone, red monti cap and red open brain all have lightened up a bit and have an almost pink/orangeish tint. But I have a fire garden acro and red planet that still looks good with good growth. The new Vega's that are coming will have red LED's included. I dont think it is going to be worth it to me to upgrade my current AI's since I am so happy with them, but I am playing with the idea of adding a stunner strip and see if that will fill that little hole. If you have any specific questions just ask.

sczlars · 06/12/2012, 01:43 PM

For a 6' tank you'd probably want 3 of the Kessil A350 lamps. I'm going to hang mine over my 2'2'2' cube when it gets up and running, and it should be plenty.

Interestingly, for a really beautiful light mix, I've been supplementing this lamp with a Kessil a150 6500K lamp, and the color rendition of the tank is the best I've ever seen. --Lars

kingfisherflesh · 06/13/2012, 09:50 AM

http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html

What does everyone think about these?

I can get a pretty rocking deal - about $499 or less for three units. We are currently working out a potential for a sort of "group buy" situation.

I have looked at the kessils - and based on some things I read they would not be good for my tank. Also they are probably goin to be a little out of my price range - I think I would need four because my 125g has only one brace on top - making lighting with three units seem impossible.

I have seen some very impressive growth shots from the units that I posted the link to.

I am only going to have this tank for two more years - and then most likely will be headed to grad school. So although I am willing to toss some money around, anything over $1k is probably not going to happen.

kingfisherflesh · 06/13/2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donkeykong

I have had my AI's for a while now and have had good growth and coloration. I only lost one SPS during the transition period. Take your time, if you get in a hurry you can and will burn your corals. If your tank is under 24" inches deep I strongly suggest switching out the optics to the 70 degree ones, this will allow you to increase the intensity with lower risk of hot spotting your corals, as well as have better spread and color blending. I have to be honest I do see a lacking of vibrancy in some of my red corals. My rose bubble tip anemone, red monti cap and red open brain all have lightened up a bit and have an almost pink/orangeish tint. But I have a fire garden acro and red planet that still looks good with good growth. The new Vega's that are coming will have red LED's included. I dont think it is going to be worth it to me to upgrade my current AI's since I am so happy with them, but I am playing with the idea of adding a stunner strip and see if that will fill that little hole. If you have any specific questions just ask.

Sweet - thank you very much for your post. I should know in the next couple days what sort of deal I can swing as far as the AI units go.

kingfisherflesh · 06/19/2012, 05:45 PM

Anyone want to compare these two? Anyone that has used either of these?

http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html 4x

or

2x (as recommended by the guy that owns this business) http://www.shop.clayboa.com/p...1&categoryId=5

Thanks

theman772 · 06/19/2012, 06:17 PM

if you can get the AI at cost get them and 2 years sell them when you go to school

SeanT · 06/19/2012, 08:35 PM

I want to know where 2 halide and 2 VHO bulbs cost $400.
So I can avoid that place.

kingfisherflesh · 06/20/2012, 11:50 PM

Replacing my two halide bulbs 250w each will cost me about $240. My VHO bulbs cost me almost $90 to replace. Then I factor in $45 in shipping...and yea. Dang close haha.

ANYONE want to give me an experienced opinion on the fixtures I have outlined?

Im not getting AI - I wont spend more money then I can payoff by the end of the month. Im most likely going to get those reef filtration units and run them with my 2x 160w VHO's

SeanT · 06/21/2012, 12:25 AM

Do you buy online?
Check out www.premiumaquatics.com

kingfisherflesh · 06/21/2012, 10:22 AM

Hmm. Good prices. Thank you.

Still want to change to LED. I only have 2x 250w MH and 2x 160w @4300nm VHO for lighting and I just feel like it is not getting it done lighting wise.

By adding another 250w or upgrading to 2x 400's plus the cost of bulbs it still doesnt make sense to me.

06/11/2012, 03:01 PM	#1
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	Help me Switch to LED Hey guys - its time to replace the bulbs on my tank. Its a 125g tank, and Im running 2x 250w MH's, and 2x 160w VHO. This is going to cost me a lot of money, probably almost $400. That, paired with the at least $100 I could get for this fixture leaves me with some money. Im not seeing the kind of growth that I would like to see in my tank with my current setup, and there are things I could change (pull my glass lids - although the mess it would make on my lights I dont think is worth it) and replace the bulbs (which I think are 14k) with ones that are 12k. I hate the look of most DIY fixtures, the light looks super fake, and I dont want that. Its a mixed reef, but the top crest is all SPS, and Id like to see those things start to grow a little faster. I want something that is tried and true, some fixtures have been out there long enough that we should be seeing almost fully developed tanks from people like aqua illuminations etc. Any help at all is appreciated, I need a direction to go in. Thanks

06/11/2012, 06:55 PM	#3
Seahorse NJRC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 216	[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

06/11/2012, 11:38 PM	#7
sczlars Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 206	Kessil A350. More blue wavelengths than other LED fixtures.. The single point shimmer look of halides. My corals are loving it. edit: guess I should back that up. There was this post by Robert of Neptune Aquatics on another thread: http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/s....php?t=2162091 Last edited by sczlars; 06/11/2012 at 11:57 PM.

06/19/2012, 08:35 PM	#18
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I want to know where 2 halide and 2 VHO bulbs cost $400. So I can avoid that place. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/21/2012, 12:25 AM	#20
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Do you buy online? Check out www.premiumaquatics.com __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

06/11/2012, 06:22 PM	#2
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	Bump - I know people have purchased LED's. Tell me what you bought, why, and what your experience has been. Good ones perferred...people who have grown stuff with them. What was your growth rate like? Thanks

06/11/2012, 06:56 PM	#4
Seahorse NJRC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 216	I have excellent growth with my maxspect mazarra p-series on my 55.

06/11/2012, 08:02 PM	#5
pgaudreau Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 92	Ecotech radeons. Love them growth is unbelievable. Great service

06/12/2012, 08:34 AM	#9
iereefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 15	Make the switch, you'll love it..wife loves it too. Edison bill is down, coral pop is rediculous, low heat, etc..i went from 2x150 phoenix w 2x54w ati to 2x250w radiom w 4x54w geiseman to 2x250 phoenix w 4x80w geiseman. All are are great till the edison bill comes and it nightmare. Ive used TMC-AquaRay HD1000 tiles (the radion or AI in UK) to pricey for a little sucker. Used 3 HD1000 tiles n 4 500/600 beams, controller sold seperatly. Burned 2holes in my wallet....end of the month edison billed was half, sold 1/3 chiller, no need for it...

06/12/2012, 09:50 AM	#10
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I am guessing it is a standard 125 at 6 feet. I have AI Sol's, I would have went radions but I could swing the price. 3 radions will run you $2250, 3 Sols with 70 degree optics will run you $1450 or 4 sols will run you $1600. This is all well above your estimated $500. LED's have a BIG entry point but make up for it in time with no bulb changes lower eletricity not only from the lights but most no longer need run chillers. There are cheaper units like the ebay special that are like $200 and you can run 4 for $800 but will have to run times and such as they do not come with the controllability as the nicer units. Kessils, I have no personal experience except what I have seen from around my local club, softies and LPS do really well, but there has been alot of loss of SPS from everyone who has tried them. But that was the a150 units I have not seen the a350 yet.

06/12/2012, 11:19 AM	#11
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	The ammount of money is not the max I am willing to spend, its just cash in hand moving forward. I can a really good deal through a store I know, and get the AI's for their cost most likely. What does everyone think about that? Thanks Donkeykong, good post. Want to talk a little about your experience with the AI units? Thanks everyone - we need more recommendations for me!

06/12/2012, 11:40 AM	#12
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I have had my AI's for a while now and have had good growth and coloration. I only lost one SPS during the transition period. Take your time, if you get in a hurry you can and will burn your corals. If your tank is under 24" inches deep I strongly suggest switching out the optics to the 70 degree ones, this will allow you to increase the intensity with lower risk of hot spotting your corals, as well as have better spread and color blending. I have to be honest I do see a lacking of vibrancy in some of my red corals. My rose bubble tip anemone, red monti cap and red open brain all have lightened up a bit and have an almost pink/orangeish tint. But I have a fire garden acro and red planet that still looks good with good growth. The new Vega's that are coming will have red LED's included. I dont think it is going to be worth it to me to upgrade my current AI's since I am so happy with them, but I am playing with the idea of adding a stunner strip and see if that will fill that little hole. If you have any specific questions just ask.

06/12/2012, 01:43 PM	#13
sczlars Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 206	For a 6' tank you'd probably want 3 of the Kessil A350 lamps. I'm going to hang mine over my 2'2'2' cube when it gets up and running, and it should be plenty. Interestingly, for a really beautiful light mix, I've been supplementing this lamp with a Kessil a150 6500K lamp, and the color rendition of the tank is the best I've ever seen. --Lars

06/13/2012, 09:50 AM	#14
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html What does everyone think about these? I can get a pretty rocking deal - about $499 or less for three units. We are currently working out a potential for a sort of "group buy" situation. I have looked at the kessils - and based on some things I read they would not be good for my tank. Also they are probably goin to be a little out of my price range - I think I would need four because my 125g has only one brace on top - making lighting with three units seem impossible. I have seen some very impressive growth shots from the units that I posted the link to. I am only going to have this tank for two more years - and then most likely will be headed to grad school. So although I am willing to toss some money around, anything over $1k is probably not going to happen.

06/19/2012, 05:45 PM	#16
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	Anyone want to compare these two? Anyone that has used either of these? http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html 4x or 2x (as recommended by the guy that owns this business) http://www.shop.clayboa.com/p...1&categoryId=5 Thanks

06/19/2012, 06:17 PM	#17
theman772 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: El Monte ca Posts: 262	if you can get the AI at cost get them and 2 years sell them when you go to school

06/20/2012, 11:50 PM	#19
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	Replacing my two halide bulbs 250w each will cost me about $240. My VHO bulbs cost me almost $90 to replace. Then I factor in $45 in shipping...and yea. Dang close haha. ANYONE want to give me an experienced opinion on the fixtures I have outlined? Im not getting AI - I wont spend more money then I can payoff by the end of the month. Im most likely going to get those reef filtration units and run them with my 2x 160w VHO's

06/21/2012, 10:22 AM	#21
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	Hmm. Good prices. Thank you. Still want to change to LED. I only have 2x 250w MH and 2x 160w @4300nm VHO for lighting and I just feel like it is not getting it done lighting wise. By adding another 250w or upgrading to 2x 400's plus the cost of bulbs it still doesnt make sense to me.