LEDs after 1 and 2 Years?

[Oscar]

There are lots of LEDs coming on the market and lots of raves after their initial install. But what about the longer term? What do your corals think of LEDs after 1 or 2 years? Do you still get the growth your MH or T5s were providing?

[MarkoD]

i get better growth in 6 months with LEDs than i did in a year of Metal Halides

[Nano]

I can't speak long term yet, but already 3-3 1/2 months into leds as Marko said, I have wicked growth on everything compared to 6 months with T5's, it is short term, but I believe it is a testimonial to the growing power of LEDs

EDIT

The colors are also a million times better as well, and LEDs aren't going to brown out your corals like MH will

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Nano

The colors are also a million times better as well, and LEDs aren't going to brown out your corals like MH will

Funny you should mention the browning out. There is one thread on Reef Central that talked about browning out of SPS after a year of LEDs. That is what prompted me to ask the question. Although LEDs have been advancing rapidly and perhaps LEDs from 2 years ago are not comparable to today's versions?

Or there were other variables at play with the browning out?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Nano

LEDs aren't going to brown out your corals like MH will

huh?? How do MH brown out corals?

[Nano]

well any sps I bought was under MH, and was brown until a few weeks under leds, I dont know if its "browned out" per say, but it does seem to drown out the colors. might just be my experience though

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Nano

well any sps I bought was under MH, and was brown until a few weeks under leds, I dont know if its "browned out" per say, but it does seem to drown out the colors. might just be my experience though

I would say it's more likely a nutrient problem. Lighting of any type doesn't guarantee colors in SPS. If you got a frag from a MH tank and it was brown, it wasn't due to lighting (unless the bulbs were 2 years old). I have over 100 pieces of SPS under MH, and not a brown piece in the tank.

[MarkoD]

Browning out could be because of the amount of light, not type of light

[Nano]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Browning out could be because of the amount of light, not type of light

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I would say it's more likely a nutrient problem. Lighting of any type doesn't guarantee colors in SPS. If you got a frag from a MH tank and it was brown, it wasn't due to lighting (unless the bulbs were 2 years old). I have over 100 pieces of SPS under MH, and not a brown piece in the tank.

ahhh so either poor nutrients, or too much/too little light? My mistake :P
at least I learned something today

[MarkoD]

The only light factors that make a difference are color and intensity, a coral doesn't discriminate against the type of bulbs you're using.

Also it's possible that metal halides could be causing a swing in temp