View Full Version : Plasma Lighting
Kalifornia37
03/16/2011, 10:45 AM
Hey anyone have any advice in regards to the new Plasma fixtures comming out.
I am in midst of building a 200 DD tank and was looking for a way to light the tank with one fixture and minimal power draw
BTW tank is going to be in wall
Looking forward to your feed back
reeftivo
03/16/2011, 11:42 AM
Too much dinero right now $$$$$.
You may want to check out LED's as an option. Their prices are falling because of competition.
Anemonebuff
03/16/2011, 12:24 PM
I would suggest LEDs as well. Using 40* optics will give you the punch you need for the depth of a 200 DD.
goofball310
03/16/2011, 01:14 PM
I've been doing a lot of research on plasma lighting, and you can look up Dipan's build thread if you are a DIY'er. The set-up can be bought for $600-700 dollars if you google around for DIY projectors. Dipan actually gave up on the project after he couldn't get the color he wanted out of the plasma's even after adding 72w of blue LED's.
I know plasma's can be dimmed to a 20k range but I'm not sure of their par when lowered much. Here's a link to a build that uses plasma lighting from Stray Light Optical.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854516&highlight=plasma+straylight
You can also look up Plasma grow lights for other fixtures that could also be used in aquarium applications. There are only two manufacturer's that make a plasma fixture designed specifically for aquariums (Stray Light Optical $1000-$1100 & Sfiligoi $3000). Plasma will be the lighting of the future once it becomes more affordable and are able to offer better color variation in their bulbs.
Kalifornia37
03/16/2011, 07:23 PM
Thanks goofball I'll have a look
Price is not the big issue as much as efficiency as our hydro bills up here will be raising 30% over the next couple of years
I've priced out the equipment and tank to be around 7,000 without lights so spending 3000 more on a good light is no biggy
iamwrasseman
03/16/2011, 08:26 PM
i dont like their color . if you dim them to where the color is pleasing to the eye ,they are just to dim IMO.when you turn them up they are to yellow for my taste .
leds are the way to go as they have great color ,penetration and very versatile .
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