10 replies to this topic

[ciichlidsteve]

I have been doing a little bit of research lately looking at the use of LED's over my planted aquarium. I have found some really great units that seem to have the right spectrum of light for both marine and freshwater plants and was just wondering if anybody had embarked on this in W.A. or even atempted a DIY project as wiring up a large sheet of LED's would be pretty straight forward.

Anyway im curious to hear everybodies input/opinions

[marek90]

i dont have a LED setup but i did about 2-3 weeks of research (4hrs a day) and yes they are much better then fluros and you can buy from sites like this http://www.ledlight....ot-15-watt.aspx and http://shop.ebay.com...8...at=0&bkBtn= and all you do is remove the ballasts etc they are stronger last longer no need for replacing every few years coz they dim out and a led lasts for 11years running at 24hr a day normal load some on ebay selling will say 60,000hr life coz they are maxed out some some youtube film show the led is better then metal halide for their marine tank + its power saving ill try find that link iam thinking to convert my 4foot flours too when i get more money

found some youtube good links btw coral needs more light them fresh

[Neakit]

Leds are not better than mh or fluros, they are a different way of doing things. The biggest draw back is they cost a fortune to initially buy and then they are out of date in 3 months. Yes they will work. I personally find that they can have a spot lighting effect if they aren't spaced properly or the right optics aren't used. everything has its pros and cons but don't rule one out cause its out of vogue.

[ciichlidsteve]

There is quite a substantial start-up cost in setting up an effective LED aquarium light. The particular ones i am looking at will have quite a large number of individual LED's. The biggest starting point for me is deciding on which particular LED's to use (brand and light spectrum) and sourcing the product. My estimates put a light for a 6 foot tank at a conservatives estimate of at least 800$. Its alot but when it is custom made, can have unlimited custome settings i.e. fading, sunrise/sunset/moonlight and you dont need to replace the bulbs for 15-20 years it pays for its self.

I would like to keep this thread going i would like to hear more opinions and those of people who have tried it or are currently using LED's

[Neakit]

you dont need to replace the bulbs for 15-20 years it pays for its self.

I have read of a few people having failures well before they are sposed to. If you want to read more go to http://www.masa.asn.au and look under equipment and diy and you will see quite a few threads on leds.

[werdna]

you dont need to replace the bulbs for 15-20 years it pays for its self.

How many car spoiler brake light have you seen with banks of LEDs not working.
Or truck idicator/brake setups.

15-20 years is max, you are assuming that the chinese made light units are quality built... hmmmm

[lawdog]

Just to wade in, failure of LED is very minimal.... however in the vast majority of cases these failures are caused by overdriving the LEDs that is to say spiking the current (A major cause of automotive LED failure). Knowing this allows you to ensure that you good quality components on the power system ie. capacitors, and main driver.

I currently run 2 four foot units that were custom made in Aus. and for a south american lightly planted tank they work very well. For marine application and heavily planted tanks correct led selection will be paramount so looking for high power Cree units with the correct collars to adjust the light spread is very importank. PFK has a write up this month where they have compared many off the shelf systems.

Building your own unit is not out of the realms of reality and i have a previous post that allows the correct selection of leds and components to assemble your own array. Search DIY LED array on the web and there is plenty of information available.,

As for LED not being better imo that is incorrect, LED can have great PAR for their size and will allow for th growth of hard and soft corals and any plant you can think of..... So as I have said it is all about the right selection of components.

[Neakit]

yes they can have great par for their size but i don't think they are better than another way. its just like saying t5s are better than mh with out knowing and weighing up the pros and cons for your individual setup.

[lawdog]

The tried and true methods work well and LED is only newly trying to move into this area.

However what is better is the energy consumption reduction, accurate colour temperature the flexibility to mimic many natural lighting affects the ability to have the complete rgb spectrum to hand. The fact remains that t5, t8 and MH have and will continue to have a dedicated following, however as governments push for more ecological solutions there place will diminish and as mercury vapour lamps still exist it's use has been replaced with a more effecient form.

[jslayz]

If these grow corals

Cutter has new LED DIY products here

Then they will work with Fresh water plants right?

Look interesting.

J

[ciichlidsteve]

Well corals like a blue spectrum spike where as fresh water plants prefer a yellow to red colour spike so i guess in principle it will work if you used different spectrum LED's.