Replace lights, raise em? LEDs or keep current?

pelfiredc · 04/02/2016, 09:54 AM

Hi all looking for suggestions on lighting....I'm currently running T5 Halide combo on a 90 gallon tank that is 24hx49w x 17 d...the t5s are 2 blue plus 1 aqua blue special and 1 actinic ( all ATIs)...the halides are Phoenix 150s
I think the fixture is a marineland 48 pro 32982 model.....the light is resting right on the tank and been pretty good but it's time to change out the bulbs and (a lot of the sps are burning out if moved up half way and starting to get hair algae..... Phos are .02 and nit are 0...... Think the bulbs are a year now and it's most of the issue. With that said I have a Reefbreaders 24 inch LED that I was humoring using on the tank instead of the combo above but would require getting another to cover the entire tank properly... Thoughts ??????? Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!

Hentz · 04/02/2016, 10:07 AM

If you'd like to go LED, I'd say absolutely! I've had great success with Reefbreeder LED's. In particular, two 24" over my 75 :P.

I came from an 8x54 T5 fixture. My acros liked the T5, but they LOVED the Reefbreeders! Once I found the sweet spot, they took off like wild fire.

pelfiredc · 04/02/2016, 11:21 AM

Great to hentz...... What settings ans distance are yours at?

Hentz · 04/02/2016, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelfiredc

Great to hentz...... What settings ans distance are yours at?

I found my sweet spot at 13" off the water running peak settings at 90W40B.

pelfiredc · 04/02/2016, 06:47 PM

Bump

pelfiredc · 04/03/2016, 08:53 AM

No one else ...thoughts?????

kevin_e · 04/03/2016, 09:43 AM

I would replace your bulbs and raise the fixture. You won't find a better lighting source than what you are currently using.

pelfiredc · 04/04/2016, 01:40 PM

Ty for your input!!!!!!!! I'm keeping a open mind here and hoping for more responses.

Vetthed · 07/19/2016, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_e

I would replace your bulbs and raise the fixture. You won't find a better lighting source than what you are currently using.

Hello, new to forum and salt water tanks.

I also have a90 gallon with the marineland 32982
Where can I buy replacement blue LEDs

Ron Reefman · 07/20/2016, 07:25 AM

If your MH is working for you and your tank, then keep them. If not, consider a change.

I had MH & t5 combo fixtures over all 4 of my tanks. I had issues with the heat in the tank so I had to get 2 chillers. That solved the water temp issues. But the house A/C ran too much.

I paid $1300 for 5 led fixtures almost 4 years ago. My lights use a little less electricity, my chillers run much, MUCH less and my A/C runs less. On average, my annual cost for electricity went down $400. My annual budget for t5 bulbs (replaced once per year) and MH bulbs (replaced every 2 years) was about $300. So the leds paid for themselves in less than 2 years. My coral health and growth rate is almost exactly the same as it was with the MH & t5 combo fixtures.

Why would I ever go back?

Jayreefer · 07/20/2016, 12:17 PM

On my 240 8'x2'x2' I run a couple of the coralife aqualight pros. they are old but has worked great. It has the 150w MH and orginally had PC on the sides. I gutted the PC's and added LED's to the channels with some DIY kits and the tank has exploded with color and growth.

After adding the LED to the short fixture

The rest done

and less than a week ago

04/02/2016, 10:07 AM	#2
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	If you'd like to go LED, I'd say absolutely! I've had great success with Reefbreeder LED's. In particular, two 24" over my 75 :P. I came from an 8x54 T5 fixture. My acros liked the T5, but they LOVED the Reefbreeders! Once I found the sweet spot, they took off like wild fire. __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

07/20/2016, 07:25 AM	#10
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	If your MH is working for you and your tank, then keep them. If not, consider a change. I had MH & t5 combo fixtures over all 4 of my tanks. I had issues with the heat in the tank so I had to get 2 chillers. That solved the water temp issues. But the house A/C ran too much. I paid $1300 for 5 led fixtures almost 4 years ago. My lights use a little less electricity, my chillers run much, MUCH less and my A/C runs less. On average, my annual cost for electricity went down $400. My annual budget for t5 bulbs (replaced once per year) and MH bulbs (replaced every 2 years) was about $300. So the leds paid for themselves in less than 2 years. My coral health and growth rate is almost exactly the same as it was with the MH & t5 combo fixtures. Why would I ever go back? __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/02/2016, 11:21 AM	#3
pelfiredc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pelham NY Posts: 165	Great to hentz...... What settings ans distance are yours at?

04/02/2016, 06:47 PM	#5
pelfiredc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pelham NY Posts: 165	Bump

04/03/2016, 08:53 AM	#6
pelfiredc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pelham NY Posts: 165	No one else ...thoughts?????

04/03/2016, 09:43 AM	#7
kevin_e Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,083	I would replace your bulbs and raise the fixture. You won't find a better lighting source than what you are currently using.

04/04/2016, 01:40 PM	#8
pelfiredc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pelham NY Posts: 165	Ty for your input!!!!!!!! I'm keeping a open mind here and hoping for more responses.

07/20/2016, 12:17 PM	#11
Jayreefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peoria Az Posts: 2,022	On my 240 8'x2'x2' I run a couple of the coralife aqualight pros. they are old but has worked great. It has the 150w MH and orginally had PC on the sides. I gutted the PC's and added LED's to the channels with some DIY kits and the tank has exploded with color and growth. After adding the LED to the short fixture The rest done and less than a week ago