torn between LED or Plasma Arc light

[thatguy559]

both sound really good. not sure which route i would like to go. i know everyone is taking the led plunge but there is more out there. what are your thoughts

here is the link to the plasma arc
http://reefbuilders.com/2010/03/11/quick-n-dirty-handson-beta-seashine-light/

 

[thatguy559]

here is the same light on 2 different tanks. with dimmer control to dial in color temp. thats only 1 light per tank

 

[thatguy559]

here it is on a friends tank in california

http://www.cvreefers.org/showthread.php?14741-Jestersix-Not-A-Pico-150-G

 

[roscoe]

I've seen the Arcs.I am very interested in this lighting. 1 light can cover a 4 square feet area! I think this lighting will be the next thing aside from LEDs.

 

[mfinn]

Pretty nice, but pretty spendy.

 

[thatguy559]

equally as spendy as leds though

 

[mfinn]

equally as spendy as leds though

hmmm,,, isn't anything not any more?:lol:

 

[roscoe]

equally as spendy as leds though

Yeah they are just as expensive as LED. It would actually be cheaper to go with the arcs then LEDs on larger systems.

 

[FreakinReefin]

Yeah but no blues?? That means you have to supplement with actinic which is addtional space and cost...

 

[thatguy559]

all you have to do is dim it to get the color temp

 

[FreakinReefin]

all you have to do is dim it to get the color temp

Yeah but then you don't have full power with a certain kelvin...

 

[thatguy559]

in that build thread there are par readings with a 50% dim and 100%

 

[thatguy559]

Yeah but then you don't have full power with a certain kelvin...

same thing with leds

 

[FreakinReefin]

same thing with leds

Not at all...I can have 100% power with both whites and blues on.

 

[thatguy559]

but is it the kelvin you want it at?

 

[FreakinReefin]

but is it the kelvin you want it at?

18k at 100% both.

 

[thatguy559]

Okay 18k is your liking and my liking is 10k-12k lighting so if I have your led lights I would dim the blue out to get more of the look I like so in a sense it's the same as dimming the plasma arc to acheive the 18k look everyone has their Kelvin of choice. Do you have par ratings at that Kelvin? How big is your tank

 

[FreakinReefin]

Okay 18k is your liking and my liking is 10k-12k lighting so if I have your led lights I would dim the blue out to get more of the look I like so in a sense it's the same as dimming the plasma arc to acheive the 18k look everyone has their Kelvin of choice. Do you have par ratings at that Kelvin? How big is your tank

I don't have PAR ratings but I know they are very high. My tank is only a 65 and is 24" tall and I have to turn the intensity way down in order to keep it from bleaching every coral in the tank.

 

[thatguy559]

Okay so we are in agreemnt that you still have to dim LEDs to acheive that certain look you want.

I have a 48" tank so I would be paying around the same if not more in led lighting. all I would need is 1 plasma arc light and maybe 2-3 led units to acheive the same coverage. Does that make sense

 

[MrGone]

I'm interested in this, how does plasma compare to LEDs heat wise?