LED lighting becomes affordable?

[phoenix20]

I just saw that PFO is now producing a LED system without the embedded controller like the Solaris I-5.

The Solaris is a super cool system being able to dim the lights, moon cover, etc. but the price tag is too steep for me.

The Galileo lighting system is more or less like your "normal" lights which aren't adjustable, just on/off switches connected to external timers, etc.

I think this might be a good fit for me though. A 24" light is posted here for $622,
http://www.bluewatercorals.com/pfo24inga218.html">http://www.bluewatercorals.com/pfo24inga218.html</a>

compared to the Solaris I-5 24" at $1499
[IMG]http://www.bluewatercorals.com/pfo24in20sol.html">http://www.bluewatercorals.com/pfo24in20sol.html</a>


Granted those computer controlled features are really sweet -- but I need light!

The area I have to work with is extremely small, and I can't place a sump/fuge near my tanks, and I def can't have a chiller -- so this may be my solution for being able to have high light output at a cheaper cost.

 

[chemically_balanced]

I still can't believe this is the cost for such a simple piece. I can understand the Solaris with it's ability to be programed but for just an LED light, unreasonable. You should just get a bunch of those 1.99 LED flashlights and strap them together... Then you can turn on and off certain lights to make your effects..

I've worked with LED before and it's just not that hard to string them together.. check this out.

http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/moonlight/">http://www.kaotica.com/frag/diy/moonlight/</a>

Maybe I'm just in the wrong line of work and need to start building these things myself and sell them for the small price or $400.00. That's $100.00 in cost for parts and $300.00 profit.. LOVE IT.

 

[phoenix20]

Well, I think these LEDs are meant to replace T5 Florescents and Metal Halide as the primary light source. I guess they have different intensities of light. Moonlights are less intense lights that aren't designed for photosynthesis.

I've read that the Solaris I-5 LED lighting system delivers as much PAR as a 400 watt MH lamp. It doesn't produce heat like MH or T5s, so there isn't a need for a chiller.

 

[derek_s]

But I think what Perry is saying is that you could do the same thing he linked to, but with a higher lumen output LED. If you could just find a cheap source for the LEDs that are used in the Solaris and Gallileo then you're set.

 

[purplegorilla]

It doesn't have the pars to keep hard corals.

The Galileo is designed for soft coral, planted tank, and fish only tanks

 

[chemically_balanced]

corvettecris;226163 wrote: But I think what Perry is saying is that you could do the same thing he linked to, but with a higher lumen output LED. If you could just find a cheap source for the LEDs that are used in the Solaris and Gallileo then you're set.

Exactly. The moonlight set-up only cost around $25.00 to set-up. I gave the extra $75.00s for the "good" LEDs. I figure a bulk purchase of any of the LEDs wouldn't exceed $75.00 for what looks like 36 LEDs on the Galileo fixture. I could be wrong though I haven't looked into what one of those LEDs.

 

[echinatl]

What do you guys think about this:
http://www.247aquariumsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=143">http://www.247aquariumsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=143</a>

Some good things said about it in the nano reef post:
[IMG]http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=171612">http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=171612</a>

Anyone brave (or rich) enough to test this thing?

 

[todd03blown]

purpleGORILLA;226167 wrote: It doesn't have the pars to keep hard corals.

My elos E-lite does:thumbs:

 

[phoenix20]

todd: Does elos sell the e-lite lamp separate from your cube? Do you how how much they run or what PAR values you get?

 

[steve]

todd03blown;226188 wrote: My elos E-lite does:thumbs:

Have you honestly tested the PAR or are you just taking Chris' word for it? Unless you have solid proof in numbers it's not proven yet.

 

[todd03blown]

Yes they sell the e-lite sep, its around 750 if I remember correctly.

Steve - yes the par #'s have been release by Elos and the top of the water line the par is 1596 and the bottom of the tank is the far corners the par is over 120. Keep in mind this LED setup has been running for a while over in italy and they have lots of tanks with SPS and LPS. Heck even my tank I have SPS and have new growth already.

 

[FutureInterest]

phoenix20;226158 wrote: Well, I think these LEDs are meant to replace T5 Florescents and Metal Halide as the primary light source. I guess they have different intensities of light. Moonlights are less intense lights that aren't designed for photosynthesis.

I've read that the Solaris I-5 LED lighting system delivers as much PAR as a 400 watt MH lamp. It doesn't produce heat like MH or T5s, so there isn't a need for a chiller.

That's what they report but from the few tanks I've seen with these systems the lighting is rather insufficient.

 

[steve]

Do they have a picture of a tank running it with PAR numbers labeled? Not wanting to sound hostile, but just haven't seen any proof of this so far.

 

[todd03blown]

Here is a link:

 

[FutureInterest]

Monti's don't require a lot of light... and besides it looks kinda bleached out .

 

[steve]

Yeah I agree that monti doesn't look that good...

When you get a high intesity light acro in your tank let us know how it does after 3 months.

 

[todd03blown]

yep will do......I just put in an acro colony yesterday.

 

[george]

The I5 has 30 LEDs/foot. They're not a 400w MH "killer", though they are definitely comparable if you focus on the sub-spectrum of PAR that corresponds to the actual absorption spectrum used by chlorophyl.

Their real payoff is in the absence of UV and near absence of heat. The resultant power savings pays off fairly quickly if you factor in the lack of evaporation which helps your whole house's power bill when running the air conditioning.

The controller is really sweet, too. To DIY one of those you'd be looking at at least a couple hundred in programmable parts and controllers, but it's doable and you'd have ultimate control over the effects. If you have a computer to dedicate to the aquarium, you could knock that down to under $100, though.

 

[flyingarmy]

Just suck it up and buy the Solaris.....right George!


(ok...so mine was free)

 

[george]

Solaris' only problem with those fixtures is quality control. Not with the lights, but the controller. There have been reports of the moon cycle getting "stuck".

How is yours working, Mark?