Ideas for LED supplementation

[Doug]

I think its just a lack of intensity, at least for me. My colours were fine under my SWC lights but not great spread and just ok growth. Under the new Evergreen, I have more spread and looks like more intense to me but just not right for what ever reason.

I was thinking of adding the Panorama Pro thats on the group buy but sheez already. I have two fixtures now and still cant get it right. Going to hand a 250 halide over my tank soon.

[Reefer Rob]

I'm also finding that some of my SPS have gone colorless under LEDs... but then some have never looked better.

Most likely in my case it is just neglect and way too much light. I've never cooked so many corals before.

Originally Posted by Milad

which LEDs are you using?
what colors are you missing?

Its all about knowing what wavelengths are going to bring out which colors. People using a cool white and royal blue combo will loose reds, oranges, pinks but their greens will explode.

check out the thread on full spectrum and OCW (Ocean coral white) LEDs.

If you are looking for color, thats the best place to check. Makes a huge difference.


FYI whoever is telling you its a technology thing is blowing smoke up your @$$. Light is light, it doesnt matter if its T5, MH, or LEDs. Its about the wavelengths. match the wavelength and locus of a MH with LEDs, its going to be the same light and will have the same effect.

But as the thread linked above will show you, MH are cookie cutter and you are stuck with their attributes. With a bit of testing (as the guys in that thread have done) you can take the right LEDs and the right ratios and produce some incredible colors in corals (AND FISH!)

Crap Milad, couldn't you have referenced a longer thread?

The OCW LEDs look interesting, but I'm half way through and I haven't got to the "I added the extra colors to the NW, RB LEDs and I'm totally amazed" posts yet.

Any feedback from people who have actually done this?

[Madreefer]

[quote=Doug;757609

I was thinking of adding the Panorama Pro thats on the group buy D[/QUOTE]

What group buy is this? Can you please point me to that thread? I talked to a vendor on here and he did not mention any such thing.

[Myka]

Hey Brad, I think if you added 3-400 watt Radiums to the tank it will pump that color right up!!!!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

Hey Brad, I think if you added 3-400 watt Radiums to the tank it will pump that color right up!!!!

Ya, I was thinkin' the same thing!

[Myka]

Ever since Sanjay Joshi was touting LEDs at MACNA (which was primarily based on super high PAR numbers) I have been tossing around the idea of purchasing some in the spring, but I know you and I have the same taste in lighting and you're turning me off the idea! Sanjay was predicting the future for LEDs will be focused on producing a fuller spectrum, although he did talk a bit about the fact that corals don't actually use the entire full spectrum, so maybe we don't need full spectrum, but rather proper spectrum...???

I have been noticing many people complaining that the new AI Vega uses cool whites instead of neutral whites. I definitely like the color of the Vega over the Sol, but visually the Radions are the nicest imo. I didn't look very closely at the Mitras. I don't think the Radions can even come anywhere near the color of halides or T5s though. I also find LEDs seem harsh on my eyes (and it's not the PAR lol).

I'm really thinking that we still have to wait another 2-3 years to be satisfied with LEDs as the primary source of reef lighting. So, those "10-year 50,000 hour" fixtures you all bought...yeah you're going to want new ones in a few years!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

I'm also finding that some of my SPS have gone colorless under LEDs... but then some have never looked better.

This kinda makes me think that we would all just be happy if we started a tank with LEDs rather than switching a tank to LEDs. There are definitely several SPS out there that we generally struggle to keep nice colors, and then think of all the brown SPS that we assume are just brown naturally. Maybe some of these corals that don't do as well as we would like under MH or T5 would be something crazy under LED?

A fine example is when you purchase a wild caught or ocean cultured SPS coral and move it to your tank. Chances are it will look much different in a few weeks under the new lighting. So if natural light vs MH or T5 is so different then maybe MH or T5 vs LED is also very different...who know? Time will tell!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

I'm really thinking that we still have to wait another 2-3 years to be satisfied with LEDs as the primary source of reef lighting. So, those "10-year 50,000 hour" fixtures you all bought...yeah you're going to want new ones in a few years!

Agreed. I'm actually seriously considering selling mine and going back to MH. I just have to figure out how to manage evaporation/moisture in the house. Some days I'm ok with the light, but other days, it's just not cutting it.

[Myka]

Why don't you sell the SPS you're not happy with? Replace them with something that will be more satisfying. Everything in life is relative...in this case you need to remove the memory of what was.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

Why don't you sell the SPS you're not happy with? Replace them with something that will be more satisfying. Everything in life is relative...in this case you need to remove the memory of what was.

More satisfying than SPS?? That's just silly!!