LED questions

[jetlink82]

Hey guys, I have had my 90 gallon reef ready tank up and running for a year now, the tank has been doing extremely well and would love to start putting coral in the tank. I have really nice coralline growth all throughout the tank and sump, along with button polyps and really attractive zoos growing and spreading in the tank. I have a Current TrueLumen 48" LED light strip on there now and am looking for something capable of probably just a mixed reef, softies...zoos, some LPS, maybe a clam, see how it goes.

I am on a budget and am looking to get a pair of the "chinese" LED's off ebay (like the Tao Tronics 55x3W), after hearing really good things from local reefers and one of my LFS that use them. I am looking at a set that use the Bridgelux (what I was recommended to look for) LED chips with the 90 degree lenses. Does it matter if I go with the blue and white LED's, or the units that have the different colors like different blues, white, red, and green?


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[Reefplumber13]

Check out reefbreeders.com

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[elfloyd]

I used blue & white for several years with good results. I've since moved on to full spectrum lights, but don't think the added colors make much difference.

 

[jetlink82]

Yeah I have looked into Reefbreeders. I was at one of my LFS yesterday and the guy helping me told me to get the new Radions or else don't bother getting LED's. Ill look into the Reefbreeders again, they appear to be based where I am from in Connecticut.

 

[heathlindner25]

Yeah I have looked into Reefbreeders. I was at one of my LFS yesterday and the guy helping me told me to get the new Radions or else don't bother getting LED's. Ill look into the Reefbreeders again, they appear to be based where I am from
sounds like that guy doesn't know what he's talking about....

 

[jetlink82]

I won't mention the name of the store but it was my first visit there and was a really nice, upscale place. After reading countless threads and reviews of the chinese and other brand LED fixtures I knew it didn't sound right that its either Radions or nothing. They recommended 2 radions and two of the MP40 pumps.

I have seen, in person, incredible SPS tanks with the $130 chinese hanging over them, so I think for the types of corals I would like to have they will work for me. Maybe someday down the road I can upgrade the lights when the funds are there but at least this will get me started. :yes:

 

[heathlindner25]

jetlink82;922399 wrote: i won't mention the name of the store but it was my first visit there and was a really nice, upscale place. After reading countless threads and reviews of the chinese and other brand led fixtures i knew it didn't sound right that its either radions or nothing. They recommended 2 radions and two of the mp40 pumps.

I have seen, in person, incredible sps tanks with the $130 chinese hanging over them, so i think for the types of corals i would like to have they will work for me. Maybe someday down the road i can upgrade the lights when the funds are there but at least this will get me started. :yes:

+1

 

[freezerrat]

That advice seems ridiculous. That's like looking at at a camaro and the dealer saying get a corvette or don't bother getting anything. They may be better in the opinion of some but definitely not the only option. The same can be said if the MP40. I think that's more a case of you being told not to get what they don't sell.

 

[rdnelson]

Sounds like the guy just wants to make a huge sale. Sure those are nice lights and pumps and if you have the extra cash to buy stuff just to impress you can't go wrong. But, how you maintain your tank will determine if you have success as much as the coolest equipment. Just my opinion but....


ARC....so nerdy our President breaks bones while bowling.

 

[indecloudzua]

rapid led also makes DIY kits and they use the better Cree leds. you just need some sort of controller for the lights tho.

 

[jetlink82]

Thanks for the help guys, really looking forward to getting my reef tank going! Oh, before I forget...when I put new lights on my tank, will I see my water parameters change? The guy that was promoting the Radions was telling me that I will see a change in my parameters and could be like a mini cycle all over again?

 

[ringo®]

Save yourself some future headaches and talk with a different employee

 

[jetlink82]

It appears that they are all big fans of the Radion's there, but to each their own. That's why I love the diversity of opinions online and on the forums.

 

[indecloudzua]

Radions are great but I don't think they will cause a mini cycle.

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[heathlindner25]

Lol

 

[lagunareef]

Check in the FS forum. They are some Chinese MM led's posted for sale that will do the job.

As for a 'mini cycle', the LFS is referring to your tank acclimating/adjusting to new led's. Generally speaking, your tank will undergo a period of adjustment in much the same way as your corals adjusting to a new light. You may have to start with low settings before fully ramping up the led's (if dimmable) and/or reduce the photoperiod until your tank settles in with the new led's.

 

[jetlink82]

lagunareef;922512 wrote: Check in the FS forum. They are some Chinese MM led's posted for sale that will do the job.

As for a 'mini cycle', the LFS is referring to your tank acclimating/adjusting to new led's. Generally speaking, your tank will undergo a period of adjustment in much the same way as your corals adjusting to a new light. You may have to start with low settings before fully ramping up the led's (if dimmable) and/or reduce the photoperiod until your tank settles in with the new led's.

Thanks for the "mini cycle" info. Considering that I don't really have any coral in the tank now, (except for a small colony of zoos and some other polyps), I am assuming that I can slowly start adding corals when I get the lights or would it be better to wait a while before adding coral to the tank? I was thinking about starting off with easier stuff like some zoo colonies, leather...etc.

 

[jdwells]

I'm sure the tao tronics are fine but I've never used them so no personal experience there. I have however seen the pictures just like you have.
RapidLED and reefledlights both have good info on building your own if you can solder and follow directions. lol I've built one like that and I have another one I the mail now.


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[jetlink82]

I have looked into the DIY deals but seems to cost more than the Tao Tronics that I am looking at. I am very good with a soldering iron, but I think I would always be concerned about a fire or something happening while I'm not at home....maybe that's just paranoia though!:unsure:

 

[indecloudzua]

I'd probably be more concerned with the Chinese products catching fire.from my experience, their quality control is horrible (Chinese manufacturing as a whole).The rapid led kits also use the best leds. They also have solderless kits available as well. I'll more than likely go with them for my 90g build

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