LED suggestions

[rtheilman]

Im upgrading from my 55gal to my 120gal tank. I know that LEDS are the best way to go. I also understand that they are the most expensive. I would like to know what the best setup is for my 4ft 120 gallon tank, and then the best priced LEDS.

 

[sts04c]

2 member modified units will do. Also the price is very affordable. PM your cell and I'll text you a picture of 2 over my 4ft. 120.

 

[superclown]

rtheilman;759378 wrote: Im upgrading from my 55gal to my 120gal tank. I know that LEDS are the best way to go. I also understand that they are the most expensive. I would like to know what the best setup is for my 4ft 120 gallon tank, and then the best priced LEDS.

Most expensive up front but in a years time you will save what you would have spent on replacement bulbs

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[rdnelson]

Setting up my 125 right now. I resisted the LEDs because of the upfront cost but in the end, I gave in. Now I am pumped waiting for them to arrive.

 

[no1bubba]

I just received my 3 lights and they are fantastic :mad2: Problem. They need to be mounted into my canopy and they are made to be suspended. I will sell them to you for just my cost. Bubba

Edit: We can meet you in Macon tomorrow or Sunday or next Sunday and deliver them no postage to pay. Just let me know. Bubba

 

[realfish]

There are just so many options with LEDs. It's really hard to recommend a specific configuration or choice. The member modifieds ($250) are a really economic way to get into LEDs. The Radions have a phenomenal amount of flexibility ($750). I purchased the Radions and calculated it would take 5 year to break even against the metal halides which didn't include the cost of moving the extra heat from the halides. Don't know if I'll have them for five years, but the fact that I can run custom programs on them and also coordinate them with my Vortech pumps was compelling for me.

I think you will be happy with the LED choice in general. Just read the forums and choose what is best for you.

 

[rtheilman]

Thanks for all the advice! I have pc's and a year and a half old tank. I've been a coral hoarder and my tank has coral growing wild on the walls, overflow, and even my sump!! I need to upgrade, but I need to save up.

 

[captain copper]

Personally, I wouldn't own an led fixture that's not dimmable, controllable, and programmable. Anything less than that is junk imo. The best feature is leds is the control you can get out of them.

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[jdavenp3]

Do not forget about the Aqua Illumination Sol units. They can be connected together, have a lot of cool features, but I am not a fan of their looks.

You could buy like 5 JBJ unibody 54w and run it over your tank, hooked to a reefkeeper or something haha. Just had to plug my new toy.

 

[KrisDeitz]

Captain Copper;760885 wrote: Personally, I wouldn't own an led fixture that's not dimmable, controllable, and programmable. Anything less than that is junk imo. The best feature is leds is the control you can get out of them.

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How is it junk?

Mine does none of those and works perfect

 

[captain copper]

So do metal halides and t5s, and they don't dim, and aren't controllable either.

It should be obvious from my statement that my concern is with function, not savings. To that end, an led fixture that has no more function than a t5 or halide, is a waste of money and therefore junk IMO.

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[jdavenp3]

I honestly bought my JBJ unibody because I figured that led's had came a long way from the time I exited the hobby a few years back.

The unibody is dimmable, able to be set to a controller, SAVES money in bulbs and electricity. Not to mention I love gadgety things and it fit the bill.

Captain, I can see your side of the argument. LED are supposed to be the cutting edge of lighting in our hobby and if it offers nothing else over proven technology, why take the risk.

 

[mustangcaleb]

Captain Copper;760894 wrote: So do metal halides and t5s, and they don't dim, and aren't controllable either.

It should be obvious from my statement that my concern is with function, not savings. To that end, an led fixture that has no more function than a t5 or halide, is a waste of money and therefore junk IMO.

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ive had all these setups, and i think my led setups have been my favs so far. i have zero sps, but i do have just about everything else

 

[captain copper]

Some would say that leds are less expensive to operate, which would be their reason for switching. I'm of a slightly different methodology however. The way I approach this hobby is that the only reason I'm fortunate to be able to partake in such an interesting hobby is BECAUSE I have extra money. I mean let's face it, none of us have frag tanks because we saved a quarter on our electric Bill by using florescent bulbs in our homes instead of incandescent. As a result, I try to make each hardware purchase with a certain objective in mind, and to purchase the best piece of hardware to accomplish that objective. In the case of lighting, I wanted to accomplish two things, grow sps well, and achieve maximum color. The ability to automate a fixture to fade between different light spectrums, with the actinic spectrum being extremely deep compared to the alternatives is what sold me on leds.

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[jdavenp3]

Captain,

You really hit the nail on the head about leds. Being able to simulate clouds, get above the 20k spectrum, have maximum growth with corals, and being able to do this with a reef controller is all very appealing. As well as the minimalist style that some leds have.

However, the savings cannot be thrown by the wayside. Lets just say you have a 150w halide that the bulb needs to be changed 2 times a year. That is 80 bucks MINIMUM a year on halides and MUCH more for the higher end tanks. Most led fixtures claim to have lifespans of 10 years. So right off the get go you save 800 on bulbs, not even taking into account power savings.

Not arguing with your methodology one bit. Just adding a little more evidence as to why leds, to me, are superior; when the fixture is of quality.

 

[captain copper]

I certainly was not discrediting the savings that leds can offer. I was merely pointing out that in a situation like this, a couple hundred bucks a year in savings is a poor determining factor in lighting choice because anyone who is in a financial position that dictates such savings to be a priority over the aforementioned Function of the fixture needs to reevaluate the importance of this hobby and go pay their water Bill.

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[jdavenp3]

You are absolutely correct. Savings should not determine your factor into purchasing leds, or any equipment for that matter. If you are in a financial situation that dictates you must use leds to rectify other bills then this is not the hobby, or lighting choices for you (not directed at anyone in this thread or this site).

Figure out your needs, find the best quality product within your budget that fits your needs, and go from there.

My needs were adjustability of light and intensity of both color and power, potentially able to hook to a controller in the future, aesthetics, and finally the ability to run over a small tank without the need of a chiller. Leds fit that bill, some better than others.

I am rambling because I am so intrigued on how far the technology has came from my 3ish year absence in the form of lighting. Really, really interesting things have came about.

 

[rdnelson]

Captain, you make very good points however I have to disagree with your conclusions. I do not have a lot of disposable cash which allows me to buy the best of everything. Yet, through my efforts of being frugal, I am still able to keep a very nice display tank. Matter of fact, I am about to upgrade that 45 to a 125.

I think it would amaze you if you knew just how much I have spent in doing this. When it came to deciding on lighting for this new tank, my first inclination was to build my own DIY T5 set up similar to the one I did for my 45. But, through research and a little hard work on my part, I am getting 3 good Dimmable LED fixtures which should work nice. As part of the group buy I put together for these fixtures, I am paying $235 each. For now, I won't have a controller to do all the fancy sunrises, sunsets, etc. but for $30 I can build manual control for them. Then one day, if I have a chance to pick up a controller, my fixtures will be ready for it. Had I gone with the T5 set up, and done timely lamp changes, I would spend the same amount after only a few lamp changes.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I see many times where people who have extra money to be able to participate in this hobby in a way we all would like, think that it is a waste for those who's incomes may not allow that. In my opinion, that is wrong. People on tight budgets still need to have things in life they can enjoy. If life is spent only paying the bills, what good is it? Could I use the money I put into this hobby more wisely? Sure I could.

 

[captain copper]

Nelson, don't worry about me taking something the wrong way, I'm a very easy going kind of guy.

as I stated before, my opinion is just that, opinion. and as with most people, that opinion is derived for legitimate reasons. In my case, most people I have met who cut corners get bad results, or at least, lead favorable results than mine. Since I am neither a genius nor a scientist, I can assume the only difference is hardware.

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[redstang]

Not buying the absolute top of the line equipment isn't necessarily cutting corners though. Like most hobbies reef keeping can be done, successfully, at a large variety of budget levels. It would certainly be easier to have large sums of disposable income but it's not a necessity. Once you get past the startup costs the maintenance costs can actually be fairly low. This hobby is also very DIY friendly which saves money. Then there's the used market.

Like Rich I don't consider myself to have large sums of disposable income. My "allowance" for this hobby is $60/month. Between that and holidays/birthdays I am able to support this hobby. Sometimes I spend a little more here and there but not often. I'd love to have the $ to drop 1k whenever I want. Just have other priorities so I make due with what I have. It's worked out well so far.

This hobby is far from cheap but it doesn't have to be expensive either.

Back on topic. Look into the member modified LED's for a deal. One thing I've noticed is that people tend to overbuy LED's IMO. They'll buy a bunch of fixtures and then run them at a low intenisty. When I first looked at LED's for my BC29 I had recommendations of 30-48 3W LED's. Turns out 20 are working just fine. LED's are still new enough that people are still trying to find the sweet spot of how many you will need. I think the person who recommended a couple of the member units for your 120 were dead on.