These LED's just aren't cutting it. Or - are they?

Slyguy00 · #1 10-25-2013, 01:54 AM

Id agree. My corals have never been happier since switching to led

Saltnoob · #2 10-25-2013, 02:20 AM

i have the sunbrite led and it is amazing i dont know my light is about 5 inches fron water top and everything is great i got a goni that is about the size of a basketball and polyps extend like 7 inches it loves my led

neoh · #3 10-25-2013, 02:50 AM

I'll try taking it down by 10 across the blues and see if it makes a difference!

PurpleMonkey · #4 10-25-2013, 02:59 AM

In my experience with LED's (designed and built a full spectrum light for my BC29), if the corals bleach, then its too much light too fast. If they brown out, then probably want more light (or nitrates/phosphates are too high -- or a combo of the two factors).

monocus · #5 10-25-2013, 04:04 AM

i have no problems with my vertex .if you want you could borrow my par meter and check various levels of your tank

Slyguy00 · #6 10-25-2013, 04:05 AM

Where do you get par meters, and how much do they cost?

waynemah · #7 10-25-2013, 04:19 AM

16" tall water column with 9" between water and light gives you 25" to the sand bed. I ran my lights 15" above my 24" tall tank with great success (39" above sand bed). If you raise the light up a bit, you can continue with your current brightness and get better coverage. I would likely start by raising it about 5".

If you decide to turn the lights down a bit, I would say cut all colors equally. Your LED lit tank will look about 30% duller than your T5 tank. Every time I look at my tank now (with T5) it's like a glowing kick in the face compared to what it was with LED.

monocus · #8 10-25-2013, 02:56 PM

with tax they are$500-i got mine at apogee instruments

saltyair · #9 10-25-2013, 07:30 PM

I have the same fixture - I will admit that the first 6weeks i was getting worried. bleaching a little browning and disappearing coriline algae.

I did raise them by 3inches - and added a longer dawn and evening. (blue only) but 6 hrs full light.

once I did my corals have been growing and colouring up like normal - love the fixture.

jason604 · #10 10-25-2013, 08:25 PM

For anyone deciding to switch to great LEDs and don't want to spend a fortune then u should really consider getting these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0092L...110_SY165_QL70

I think I only paid $129 for mine brand new I can't remember.
They are amazing. I didn't get any coral bleach or browning. All my corals love it and thriving. I only have 1 on my 75g 4feet tank with a large center brace in mid.