Originally Posted by lastlight (Post 621965)

Agreed I'd really like to see one first. And I can't see myself just buying one to test either as it's still a lot of money.

After reading that RC thread I do get the feeling that these things are not quite as good par-wise as an actual fixture with 3w LEDs.

Originally Posted by Milad (Post 621920)

The spread is all about the optics. Most LEDs come with 125 degree lens on them. Most users of tanks that big put something like 60 degree optics on the LEDs to focus the light on the area. To get an output of a 250W MH you can do about 36 XP series LEDs or 28 XP/XM mix. I would think coverage is more of an issue of a single point light than a bunch of smaller spread out LEDs. For instance my penisula casts shadows because of how my rock work, under a standard MH fixture. With LEDs, you can spread them out with the correct optics and you can get more coverage, or tighten them up and do spotlight effects.

Here is some info on picking the right optic but it will give you an idea how the coverage works depending on which optics you choose and how high you hang the light. http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/pages/Cho...ght-optic.html

Originally Posted by Aquattro (Post 621973)

Jeff says the radiums are out due to mercury content or some such thing. Might try the Geismanns next.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo (Post 621982)

So to get what I need I'd have to build it myself? Ouch... I haven't even completed my current trade.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo (Post 621909)

Remember the PFO Solaris fixtures? Does anyone still own one or did they all break down as PFO went out of business? I'll wait for the industry to mature some more.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo (Post 621909)

I'm also concerned about the spread. A single 250W MH in a good reflector can light a 3'x3' area quite well. What would a person need to achieve the same goal with LED?