after having a conversation with a couple of people, i have been doing some reading up on LED lights and how they compare to our current lighting systems, par outputs, cost, diy and other stuff. i thought i would share.
efficiency levels compared to MH
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/cree-xp-g-led-hits-new-efficiency-levels-132-lumens-per-watt/
http://ledsreview.com/news/216/
cheap chinese stuff
http://www.mvava.com/detail_976_led-aquarium-light.html
this is a link to an aussie forum. they went and bought some cheapo chinese lights that appearently worked relativly well with good light output. (i mean LED light fixture for $225usd shipped) its a long read but worth it.
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=209183
reefcentral diy link
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1672708&highlight=led+lights
i think the most promising thing here is that aside from the obvious increase in efficiency and heat reduction, you can have the MH "shimmer" as long as the LEDs have a disperser on them. i am really not a fan of MH but i would not keep a reef tank without the shimmer. it like prerequisite for me.
The LED promises to alleviate that and allow a move away from MH with much greater control (dimming, sunrise, sunset, moonlight etc.), less heat, reduced maintenance and much reduced electricity usage. this is definitly something to keep an eye on. especially as the technology gets cheaper.
here is a European link to a company that produces led arrays in tubes that slip into a t5 receptacle
http://www.aquariumled.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=7
overpriced led t5 combo in the UK
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=2221
and there is much more but thats enough for now
efficiency levels compared to MH
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/cree-xp-g-led-hits-new-efficiency-levels-132-lumens-per-watt/
http://ledsreview.com/news/216/
cheap chinese stuff
http://www.mvava.com/detail_976_led-aquarium-light.html
this is a link to an aussie forum. they went and bought some cheapo chinese lights that appearently worked relativly well with good light output. (i mean LED light fixture for $225usd shipped) its a long read but worth it.
http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=209183
reefcentral diy link
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1672708&highlight=led+lights
i think the most promising thing here is that aside from the obvious increase in efficiency and heat reduction, you can have the MH "shimmer" as long as the LEDs have a disperser on them. i am really not a fan of MH but i would not keep a reef tank without the shimmer. it like prerequisite for me.
The LED promises to alleviate that and allow a move away from MH with much greater control (dimming, sunrise, sunset, moonlight etc.), less heat, reduced maintenance and much reduced electricity usage. this is definitly something to keep an eye on. especially as the technology gets cheaper.
here is a European link to a company that produces led arrays in tubes that slip into a t5 receptacle
http://www.aquariumled.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=7
overpriced led t5 combo in the UK
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=2221
and there is much more but thats enough for now
