To Go Led or not

[superclown]

I currently am running 150w sunpod over my 30g cube. I had tried out 250w radium over the tank, NOt enough blue for my taste (running on electronic ballast) also seemed overkill for that tank

I am trying to either figure out what bulb should i replace for my 150w

or should I just switch over to the member modified led's

My logic is unless i find a good deal on my replacement bulb im almost halfway to the cost of a new bulb anyway why not upgrade, but then im second guessing myself saying thats just more equipment im not using.

I suppose i could sell the sunpod and the other mh setup if i went led. Or save it for a frag tank later

 

[rskillz]

I'm honestly struggling to understand anyone investing any money in anything but LEDs these days. My ONLY bonafide complaint with LEDs is the growth is a bit behind Halides/T5. That's it. Same shimmer as halides, adjustable blue/white, years of use, no heat issues, lower power bills, amazing coral color.

I've run them on my home tank for a year now with amazing results and 80% of my store is lit by LEDs.

So my vote is ditch the hot, energy-sucking sunpod and make the switch. Doubt you'll regret it.

 

[superclown]

My "only" concern is i know not all but some have had issues with coral color loss due to no uv supplement from led's I know this isn't everyone just some. I also am wanting faster growth as well. I do like the idea of lower heat, no replacement, bulbs and being able to dial in color.

im on the fence and i just need to decide.

 

[rskillz]

I've never had any issues with coral color and I don't run UV. Just white/blue. So add me to the crowd that disagrees with that hypothesis =)

 

[superclown]

I know I had read in the other thread debating uv suppliment that you did not run any and have had no problems.

I did experience this myself personally when I had 2 ecoxotic modules, stunner strip over my 12g. I did not get very much growth at all and my coral color did not "pop" like everyone claimed.

May have been the brand of led's not sure but im willing to give em another try.

 

[snowmansnow]

PERSONALLY I just don't feel like LED's are the best option right now as far as providing adequate spectrum.

JMO

 

[jbdreefs]

I've been following the LED UV debate for a while now, and I'm curious to know what the blue spectrum was on the units that had poor results. Being that blue represents such an important spectrum, I can imagine that the spectrum of the blue could make a difference. For instance, many LED manufacturers have the the "blue" LEDs and the "royal blue" LEDs. I'm wondering if we would discover that one or the other (or some specific spectrum range) has lead to more success. It seems that the UV hypothesis is inconsistent which leads me to believe that maybe the difference in success is explained by another factor.

 

[miami dolfan]

I changed my metal halide setup for 4 LED units. What used to be a constant battlke with temp. changes is no more. Now the tank stays at a steady 79.3 degrees.

 

[jimknutson]

I use a 250 phenix over my 30 cube and my colors pop. I debated led too but went with what is proven. I will wait for the prices to come down. Right now I can put sps anywhere in my tank so that works for me.

 

[db366]

JBDreefs;736111 wrote: I've been following the LED UV debate for a while now, and I'm curious to know what the blue spectrum was on the units that had poor results. Being that blue represents such an important spectrum, I can imagine that the spectrum of the blue could make a difference. For instance, many LED manufacturers have the the "blue" LEDs and the "royal blue" LEDs. I'm wondering if we would discover that one or the other (or some specific spectrum range) has lead to more success. It seems that the UV hypothesis is inconsistent which leads me to believe that maybe the difference in success is explained by another factor.

Royal Blue is 450-465 nm
Blue is 465-485 nm
UV is 390-420 nm

You need an LED in the 420 nm range. So the lights that have those UV chips would work. If I were to buy LED's again before they were to come out or the price was to really drop on a true 420 nm LED I'd supplement with T-5's.

 

[ripped tide]

I go back and forth about LEDs. I have opposite results of most. I have a killer growth rate, but a little lack of color(sps only). My whites are 5,500k- 6500k. Probably why I get rapid growth, but less color. When I had the same unit on my 50, colors were there. I'm guessing the move and transfer still hasnt allowed all the color to return.

 

[jbdreefs]

Has anyone been unhappy with an LED unit that had the UV chips? I hear people claim that they have success without UV, but has anyone failed using UV leds? Just curious on this one. I don't know that I've ever read a claim to such---

 

[db366]

I'd talk to lilrobb, I think he has had the ones with the UV chips the longest.

 

[micha118833]

I have considered LED's on my 75 but several people that I've talked to haven't had the results they expected out of them. I'm not sure if they ran UV chips though. This is the first I've heard of the UV chips? Are they optional or an add on to an exsisting fixture?

 

[rugdog65]

I ditched 3) 250`s on my 210 gallon tank 3 or 4 weeks ago and I am thrilled. I bought apollo reef led fixtures which have uv in them. I had a couple of sps with no color at all and one in paticular is already showing great color. Some small frags i am still seeing regular graowth around the putty,plug etc. but it might not be what some would get out on MH. Boy what a difference when I open the canopy to feed at night and the heat aint rollin out of there. of course at around 1/2 the watts and no bulb replacement even if these fixtures only perform for a few years they will have paid for themselves many times over.

 

[db366]

micha118833;736205 wrote: I have considered LED's on my 75 but several people that I've talked to haven't had the results they expected out of them. I'm not sure if they ran UV chips though. This is the first I've heard of the UV chips? Are they optional or an add on to an exsisting fixture?

I don't know of any fixture other than the ones that are from a member that have them in there.

 

[KrisDeitz]

LilRobs Fixtures Rock. Ive had mine for over 5 months on My BC29 and this thing Grows everything! 2 clams on the bottom and Multiple SPS

 

[darren24]

I have run PC's, T5's, Halides, and now LED's (AI SOL Blue). I would never go back. Couple of my LPS changed color a bit but nothing drastic. My sps look just like they did under the 150W halides.