Ideas for LED supplementation

[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!

[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!!

[Myka]

No no, just sell the particular colonies you're not satisfied with and replace them with other SPS pieces!!! SILLY!!!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

No no, just sell the particular colonies you're not satisfied with and replace them with other SPS pieces!!! SILLY!!!

You mean like the large efflo? Nah...

The other is the pink and blue milli. It's a really nice blue milli, I just know it should be half pink. And the pink lemonade is less yellow that it has been in the past. But I'm setting up a 50g grow out tank with radiums, so I may just move them to there.

[StirCrazy]

remember this Brad

Originally Posted by Aquattro

You NEED metal halide. I'm just sayin'.....

what are you doing with LEDs anyways

Steve

[Reefer Rob]

Have you tried your old halides over your tank to see if you still like them? I think you'll find them a little bland after LEDs.

LEDs are so new, with very little real information for a reference, that it makes it challenging to get them dialed... but that's the fun of it isn't it.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Have you tried your old halides over your tank to see if you still like them? I think you'll find them a little bland after LEDs.

LEDs are so new, with very little real information for a reference, that it makes it challenging to get them dialed... but that's the fun of it isn't it.

Rob, I guarantee I'd still like them, I've loved Radiums for 10 years. I actually find the color separation from LED annoying, you can see it on the sand and the corals. I think some higher end units reduce that, but I have not seen a LED not do this, SOL, Radion, or Vertex. This includes DIY units I've seen with tons of LEDs installed.
With the SOLs, there is nothing to dial in. It's blue and white, or some mixture of that combo. The units are missing something that tweaks a particular pigment, not sure if it's red, UV, purple or anything else. Radions affect the corals the same way, so it likely isn't red or green, or maybe it just needs more than is provided.

Don't get me wrong, the LED gives of great light and color, and my blue and purple pieces are all gorgeous, and the ramping for sunrise/sunset is a fab feature. I do really like the lights and would have to seriously consider changing back to MH due to all the good features. I'm probably just going to have to accept that some pieces aren't going to have the color they had. I may be able to supplement with different color spectrum strips, not sure. Some type of T5 addition maybe?
I also have to consider that if I went back to MH, my wife would probably stab me in my sleep, not somewhere I really want to go

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

remember this Brad



what are you doing with LEDs anyways

Steve

And I still stick with my original quote! Due to evaporation rotting my house, I had to either spend money on HVAC, or switch to LED. I choose the LED. I'm thinking not the right choice
Overall, the LED have lots of great options. They're quiet, cool, have ramping ability, and the color given off is very pleasing to view. Most of the corals are growing to fast, and anything with blue or green looks great. Even my pink milli and pink stylo look incredible. Really, out of 100+ colonies, only maybe 4 have changed to a less pleasing color. They just happen to be some of the nicest pieces I have -lol
But, that being said, the Radiums had the color, intensity AND whatever it is that is missing in the LED. Yes, they're hot, noisy (due to fans cooling and bulbs rattling), more costly to run, blah blah....But MH IMO is superior light for SPS corals. I'm sure that if I'd started with LED, I'd never consider changing, but having run Radiums for so long, the LED were a downgrade. I've looked at Vertex fixtures over tanks with their "fuller spectrum" and they suffer the same issues as my Sols. So not really a brand issue, but a technology issue, in that the manufacturers haven't quite got it right yet. I'm sure that will change very soon, as there are a lot of SPS owners that are holding out until they see a true competitor to MH for color production.