Led lights (1 Viewer)

[wendy32693]

I dont really know anything about leds but I am thinking about trying them instead of buying t5 bulbs every year.

I found these led panels that are pretty decently priced compared to everywhere else I have looked. but thing is I dont know how many of these I would need over my tank, its 72" long, 125g.

Says each panel its 120 watts equivilant to a 250w metal halide. Bridgelux leds 55 in each panel. 55x3 watts and says each 3 watt led is run at 2.2 watts to extend bulb life. 120 degree angle for more coverage.

How many of these would I need?

 

[gabe_j]

they are ok for smaller systems but your tanks depth is going to require some pretty strong lighting. or tight optics but that involves higher quantities to help the blended light mix in the air then hit the water so you don't get crazy disco effects.

 

[Ostentum]

But who doesnt love a Disco? Especially in your tank, fish like to party too.

 

[wendy32693]

my tank is only 18" deep, is that still too deep for those?

 

[gabe_j]

at the currents they are running yea it may not be enough. as it is those leds are lacking in the output department driven at max. if you go with crees you can run up 29" and no optics at full power. I'm currently running 36 leds at max 12" over a 16" deep tank and I can still hit 200 par on the floor of the tank.

its just something to keep in mind if you're going to try those leds. if it doesn't do what you're expecting it may not be that its leds in general. it may be their lack of efficient light output.

 

[Diesel]

Why settle for less if you can have the best, less for the price of a Radion or AI sol. GO LEDS BY BAMF AQUATICS!!

 

[wendy32693]

I have already talked to him but there is no way I can afford to put that much money on lights. I just dont have that kind of money. Has anyone ordered from a place called alibaba.com? I beileve they are a wholeseller but a lot of thm have minimum orderes of 1 led unit and they have 60w dimmable led units at $120-$180. Thats a price range I could afford if they are a trustable site, but right now im on a limited budget.

 

[rlpardue]

I'd encourage you to research the LED's thoroughly before you buy one. I have a Kessil 150w over my 30g seahorse tank but went with a used MH/t5 setup for my 75g because the cost of SPS-capable LED's just isn't quite low enough yet. I will say that, for a small tank, LED's are great vis a vis MH/t5's b/c of heat issues, but to use them for a large aquarium is just still a little too pricy for most people (compared to MH or t5 alternatives). Be sure to buy either Cree or a quality alternative LED; there's lots of LED's marketed at low prices that don't provide the UV output you need for a reef.

 

[Reggie]

Let patience be your guide on this if your thinking economics and quality. I know for a fact in about 2 months Mazarra Maxspect X will be out and should be in the $200-$400 price range. For a 72" a minimum of 4 will be required. If you want a bit more information go here Watch the first look.

 

[wendy32693]

Ok, well I'm not rushing into buying first cheap leds I find, just looking at different options as all of the bulbs in my t5 are going to go out soon. The ones im looking at are crees.

 

[wendy32693]

On the led fixtures that are dimmable, is there anything that I could hook up to the lights that can control the lights ,.like start out dim in the morning and make the lights brighter then go back to dim in the evening? So I wouldn't have to manually change the brightness every day? Also on an led panel that has 55 leds, 28 blue and 27 white, is that a good combo?

 

[reeftopia]

Im currently running 16 differnt leds from alibaba site, only 2 are dimmable there an extra $150 for the dimmable they are cool. There 144 wt cree leds are running abot $300 shipped to your door. Myself although their cool I dont like the dimmable because of the number of lights im runnning. Some of my corals love these lights some have been slow to come around only using them about 2 months now so im still evolving with them

 

[wendy32693]

So should I go with non dimmable leds?