LED Lighting!

[sergiotami]

Dumb Question? Is LED lighting up to par w MH to T5HO lighting or are hobbyist just better off waiting till the technology catch's up and of course prices drop???

[Texreefer]

Short answer, IMO Yes!, but there will always be something better just around the corner

[350gt]

My AI sols at 45% power are brighter than my 2 t5(54watt)/2 150 watt MH fixture...

Im happy.....

[rrasco]

You can't just lump all LEDs together in one group. It's important to have the right intensity, spectrums, and spread in order for LEDs to be successful. If a fixture is adequately designed to accommodate these requirements then yes, LEDs are absolutely up to PAR (no pun intended) with MH and T5.

[sergiotami]

O'kay, who has a class on how to set up a fixture and supplies need, I'm not the most electrically or mechanically inclined person and would probably create a Real fire hazard, but want to learn, so who's got a step by step manual for someone like me?????

[Texreefer]

Step 1. Look on line and find the one you like
Step 2. Purchase
Step 3. hang and enjoy

[Big_Pun]

My AI sols at 45% power are brighter than my 2 t5(54watt)/2 150 watt MH fixture...

Im happy.....


any growth pics? since going back to MH i can see noticable growth, some have grown 1/2 inch in couple months. emily my girlfriend has even noticed it and she was very much against MH

[350gt]

Not yet,... Should have done before and after.... But I'm only at 45% and I am getting equivalent or stronger #s, and they are set 12" awl, my MH fixture was at about 6-8" awl.

I haven't ramped them up since cause I am trying my hardest not to burn any corals, which most do when swapping to LEDs and I haven't seen one ****ed off coral. My toadstool closed up and just opened the other day..... Polyp extension is way more than it ever was from 2 of the SPS I bought from you awhile back.... My best looking(IMO) cap has also gotten thicker before it seemed real thin... But not much growth yet...

I am not one for growth in a 2 month period... I will sacrifice a little growth for no heat and somewhat energy savings.... I love electronics and even thought the AI controller is dated and downright $uck$(IMO) its useful.... Thunderstorms are a s
waste of technology though......

I was going to go the MH route... But thought about the heat and humidity that was around my tank when I first setup the tank, including a the wires and ballasts.... I passed..

[rrasco]

O'kay, who has a class on how to set up a fixture and supplies need, I'm not the most electrically or mechanically inclined person and would probably create a Real fire hazard, but want to learn, so who's got a step by step manual for someone like me?????

You mean to DIY your own kit? There is a lot of information out there, no comprehensive guide yet, since things are still evolving everyday. If you have any specific questions, I can try to answer them to the best of my ability.

[sergiotami]

Yes rrasco, would like a "How To Guide", but have had Excellent growth w my T5HO and thinking of going toward MH lights, told growth is Much better...:)

[rrasco]

You can try looking at aquatsylesonline, they have relatively cheap DIY kits that people are having success with. Their drivers are adequate, but they only have analog dimming, so controller choices are limited. You can have them upgrade to a better meanwell driver so you can use PWM dimming though. The problem with a how to guide is every system is different. What are you growing, how deep is the tank, etc. All these things effect the way the system can be built. There is TONS of information on RC, but no guide just yet. I think the LED market still needs a few years to define best practices as people are still really only starting to figure out what works and what doesn't over the long term.