LED lighting for sps mixed reef

[matts125]

just curious how the wattage of LED's compares to metal halide? I'm looking at setting up a 36''x36''x27'' 150 gallon cube looking for comments and suggestions. its been a while since I've had a reef and feel a bit rusty lol...


Matt

 

[Skimmy]

yo matt!
well, lets put it this way...
LED's are at the point where you could cook everything to a bleached white if you wish.
definately the par is there mang.
make sure you buy/diy something with dimming ability.
doesnt have to be a fancy controller, just a knob to adjust intensity is gud.

 

[Chichas01]

I made the switch a month ago to LED. Replaced a 700+ watt fixture that had 250w halides and 65w PC actinics with 2 Radion's. Coral colors are amazing and I'm up to about 95% of max output now. It's also really cool to have a varied spectrum of light available over the course of the lighting period. I'm at 14K at the peak and then go to 20K in the afternoon as the 'sun set' begins.

 

[matts125]

Thanks for your comments on your experience. Looking to get some recommendations for a 150galon cube.

 

[matts125]

Brand and fixture specific. As well as where to buy.

 

[Aquanaut]

I'm studying the same thing about which LED watt for particular depth penetration without frying the uppermost corals. I believe a mixture of 5w perimeter for the deeper or corner penetration and 3w for the mid-upper reaches of the reef deck. AI Sol is a good unit but I'm waiting for the next generation "code name Pheonix" that is controlable and has the 5w LED's. Control is the key from what I understand from all the posts. But from a economical standpoint you could do a combination of one 250w 12k Reeflux --overdriven by a HQI Icecap ballast-- and a perimeter of 2-4 38par LED 20k for the corner areas and the beams will overlap properly and give excellent color results and not hamper coral growth.

But that is only my opinion

 

[Chichas01]

Thanks for your comments on your experience. Looking to get some recommendations for a 150galon cube.

You would probably need 4 Radion's on a 150 cube. 1 per 2sq feet I believe it the recommendation. Purchased mine from Barrier.

 

[Skimmy]

IMHO, i dont think the radions merrit their price...
i personally would go with the new mazarra x LED coming out in a month or so.
you get a master module, a slave module, and the mounting hardware and controller for $500
the best thing about the mazzara is that you can change out every led individually to a different color with just a screwdriver and no soldering,
so you can get the exact color you wish for your reef.
check out the vid of the prototype system:
Mazarra X LED spied behind the scenes of ReefStock
More details on the forthcoming Maxspect Mazarra X

there are also a couple of the "chinese black box" led fixtures that are actually pretty decent:
128 Watt AQUARIUM LED FIXTURE REEFCHOICE EXTREME SPS DIMABLE | eBay

 

[matts125]

what about 3 of these over a 36''x36''x27'' cube?
input please..

Reef Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System

 

[BigAl07]

what about 3 of these over a 36''x36''x27'' cube?
input please..

Reef Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System

You do NOT want to use those over your REEF tank. They may state "Reef Capable" but you can grow some soft coral under a desk lamp. I'd stay FAR away from those.

I've been running LED of one form or another for over 3 years now. I say a MIN of 3W and optics depend on depth and coverage required.

Dimming ability is a must with the ability to dim each color a good idea.

I'm running a ModulrLED over my tank and it's all controlled by my ProfiLux P3. I'm able to control every aspect of the color and intensity from "moon light" to OMG Mid-day sun and every where in between.

If I were in the market for a factory unit I'd wait at least a month to see what the new GHL unit looks like and how it's priced. The "sneak peak" specs are THROUGH THE ROOF and the features are 2nd to none. I started a thread announcing it a week or so ago and updated it yesterday...

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f61/press-announcement-ghl-led-unit-coming-soon-64000/

 

[Skimmy]

what about 3 of these over a 36''x36''x27'' cube?
input please..

Reef Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System

no matt... yo may not skimp and buy the crappiest LEDs possible...

 

[Skimmy]

oh and mojo has taken a good look at the chinese black box i linked to, at first look they were good, but after a little digging,
no thermal glue, and waay too small heat sink, so avoid.

 

[BigAl07]

no matt... yo may not skimp and buy the crappiest LEDs possible...

LOL! Well put