I just took my AIs offline. While I loved the ability to control the color and intensity throughout the day, I felt I had better color and growth with halides. I replaced my 2 AI fixtures with a 24" Giesemann Infinity that has one 250w phoenix 14k bulb and 4 t5s. The first thing I noticed when I put the new fixture over the tank was all of the areas now lit that were shadowed with the LEDs. If you think about it, the reflectors with halides and t5s shoot light in all directions. LEDs are direct beams. I think this has a lot to do with the limitations of LEDs. Keep in mind I had 2 over my 30x30 cube; overkill based on the recommendations. With all of that being said, I plan to log growth and coloration after 8 months under the AIs. Pics to follow....
LEDs vs T5/Halides
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seth the wine guy
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Oh, you know I'm tagging along the whole way. 
Thanks for sharing your findings.
Thanks for sharing your findings.
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I love my LEDs I have had nothing but good luck with them. I have great coral color and have had significant growth as well! I have had them on the tank since November. My par levels are good enough to grow anything. I have no optics on my units so there are no shadows. Even with no optics I have 900+ on top and 200+ par on my sand bed. Tank is 27" from top to bottom. I have total of 3 units over my 150 cube. Each unit has 55 3W LEDs. Color output is the closest to Radium I've seen. Matt feel free to stop by anytime.
seth the wine guy
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Wow. It would take 7 AI units to equal that power.
Same light over my frag tank. Par levels are really good (as expected, it's 12" deep and the light is 12" from the water). I had a few chalices that were going downhill on the sand of my display, when I moved them over there they recovered amazingly.
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Just to note payed lot less than AIs as well. I think you have a 120 Seth and you would run three of these units on your tank and would be amazed. JMO The only thing I'm not happy with is I had an out break of cyano (spelling) but I think that is normal for LEDs.
Edit:
I was skeptical at first Barry but now glad I went with them.
seth the wine guy;723914 wrote: oh, you know i'm tagging along the whole way.
thanks for sharing your findings.
+1
I just picked up two 120w units off ebay for my 4' 72g bowfront.. 30 blue and 25 white 3w LED's.. I know the math doesn't add up but whatever.. it's what I was told to get, lol. They haven't arrived yet but I'm dang excited to see how they do. gnashty has them over his tank (or ones VERY similar) and his tank looked freaking awesome - great color and he was saying what great coral growth he got - better than his halides. I'm hoping I get the same experience.
Me too.
Me too.
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I've heard those are good as well. I know Gary seemed to really like the one he has.
tagging along. I am currently running 3 of the 150w leds on my 125 and a 250w phoenix 14k on my solana. My plan, I am going to start everything in the 125 and see how it goes, but I have noticed that certain corals look better under one than another (ex: red monti cap looks way better under a halide). I really like how most softys and LPS look under LEDs but have not had mine up long enough to comment on growth just yet (note: softys, LPS, and SPS are def growing under LEDs)
Seth The Wine Guy;723914 wrote: Oh, you know I'm tagging along the whole way.
Thanks for sharing your findings.
If you keep bashing LED fixtures how are you going to get a manufacturer to donate some to put on that tank I am going to win at the end of the year????? :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
you should frag off the same piece of coral and place each piece in either tank. then you should be able to see the growth.
im tagging along also because i think im gonna get a radium fixture for my solana but i heard a lot of people switch back to their old lights.
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I had 4 AI over my 210 .... Running at 50% just added 5th to get rid Of all spotlighting ..
Kept the 20 degree optics in all of them ( prob could have just put in 70 optics and been fine) .. Took me a while to figure out that you can not run the AI at % i was bleaching corals.
They aren't for everyone, but i love the fact.... low power no heat no need for chiller - apex integration is awesome as well. My tank has several different looks throughout the day with control provided by the apex vdm 3 way control of b rb w
Keep in mind I went straight to AI from the get go ..
1st large tank owned ....
Kept the 20 degree optics in all of them ( prob could have just put in 70 optics and been fine) .. Took me a while to figure out that you can not run the AI at % i was bleaching corals.
They aren't for everyone, but i love the fact.... low power no heat no need for chiller - apex integration is awesome as well. My tank has several different looks throughout the day with control provided by the apex vdm 3 way control of b rb w
Keep in mind I went straight to AI from the get go ..
1st large tank owned ....
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wait.. what tank? and how do i win it?
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Just in the early stage, buddy.
