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View Full Version : What's up with LED lighting?


jamest0o0
02/10/2011, 12:23 AM
Since I came back into this hobby, I've been hearing a lot about LED lighting... I assume this is something newer because I don't remember hearing of people using this for lighting their tanks? How strong is it compared to T5/MH, sorry if this is a dumb question I'm just new to this type of lighting...

Acrotrdco
02/10/2011, 12:32 AM
If you're referring to PAR measurements of LED compared to T5/MH, you can check here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965294

yeldarbj
02/10/2011, 08:00 AM
Several big advantages for LED's:
-lower power usage
-less heat
-don't have to replace bulbs (should last 5-10 years)
-very customizable if doing DIY
-dimmable

DownwardDawg
02/10/2011, 09:42 AM
Will LED's do as well as MH's? The best tanks I have seen in person, not on the internet, have all ran MH's. When I e-mail people that sell both, I get remarks like "we have seen some good success with LED's". Then you look at the pics of their tanks and they have MH's hanging above the tanks. I was told by one particular person (whom I refer to as an expert), that if cost were not an issue, he would choose MH's without even thinking about it. The cost up front is greater with LED's but the long term cost is much less...bulb replacement, chiller, fans, electric bill, etc...
So with that said, I get the gut feeling that LED's are much like T5's. They do ok, but they are not on the level of MH's. This is just the feeling I get from talking to people. I have no PERSONAL experience with LED's. I want them, but I want them to be everything I'm looking for.

Acrotrdco
02/10/2011, 09:56 AM
LED can do just as good as MH / T5.

SPS growth under LED:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1968168

Y-DesygnGuy
02/10/2011, 10:07 AM
LED can do just as good as MH / T5.

SPS growth under LED:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1968168

+1

Acrotrdco has a awesome tank run with LED's with awesome growth!