LED experience for under $2

Milad · #1 07-06-2011, 03:02 AM

btw thread is derailing! back to OP topic, Ill have to give that a try to see how it looks.

intarsiabox · #2 07-06-2011, 03:19 AM

I've been leary of LED's since last year when I went into one of the local SW stores to see the new LED fixture they had on display over their main display tank. After about 30 seconds I started getting a bad headache from it and the lights produced a grid effect all over the tank. I don't know if this is typical and I wish I could remember which brand it was so I could avoid it. It wasn't a cheap set up either. My LED flashlight actually looks better this fixture did.

whatcaneyedo · #3 07-06-2011, 03:29 AM

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.

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? I plan to make my next tank 5' long and 3' front to back which I'll be able to comfortably light with my current two pendants.

reefwars · #4 07-06-2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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.

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? I plan to make my next tank 5' long and 3' front to back which I'll be able to comfortably light with my current two pendants.

thats kinda my thing too im using my 250w halide on my 20g and can upgrade to a larger tank with no upgrade to light as it has a good refector if i were to order leds for my 20g and wanted to upgrade back to my 60g cube is the spread gonna cover the extra width??

Milad · #5 07-06-2011, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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.

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? I plan to make my next tank 5' long and 3' front to back which I'll be able to comfortably light with my current two pendants.

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

whatcaneyedo · #6 07-06-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milad

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

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

Milad · #7 07-06-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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

Yes but just hold out for couple more months and ill have a kit for you that basically is plug and play. No soldering, no drilling, no tapping. Just pick the colors and plug in the power.

StirCrazy · #8 07-06-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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.

haha, they were using old old LEDs, not anywhere near the power of the current ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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?

3x3 from a single MH is not a good even output and is realy streatching the light out. yes it can light this amount but at a lower par. 2x2 is the effective max for MH.

Steve

reefwars · #9 07-06-2011, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milad

btw thread is derailing! back to OP topic, Ill have to give that a try to see how it looks.

i was actually over to a friends house the other day who ordered some leds with you and believe me hes got me sold its a beautiful set up and the lights are amazing i do like the dimmable drivers and the no heat or maintanance issue.things i didnt like though were where its diy theres no room for error on installation, bulbs have a possibility of burning out quick from heat,to add extra led's means a fair bit of work plus you need to find something to mount them on plus heatsink as well.

what happens when the leds get wet? what about salt creep?

ill send you a pm as i do want to order some like i mentioned they both have great features youll just have to send me step by step instructions on install lol

Milad · #10 07-06-2011, 03:32 AM

Most people put a pane of glass between the LEDs and tank to prevent salt creep and getting them wet. Acrylic works too but it can sag.

You can also mount the LEDs more than a foot above the tank and there shouldnt be any salt creep/wetness.

Is your friend on canreef? Which LEDs did he get? You may have been spoiled by the new XM-Ls, they are inhumanly bright.