Are LEDs really better?

diamondreef · Apr 3, 2013

Just curious on everyone's opinion... a lot of stores and reefers are switching over...

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Snookin · Apr 3, 2013

I currently run MH and very soon I will be converting to LEDs. I have seen many successful reef tanks that are beautiful with LEDs and keep any coral you desire.
They are cheaper in the long long (no light bulb changes). You can also customize light cycles in many different ways from: intensity to light combinations to much more.
IMO the new LEDs are awesome and I can not wait to upgrade.

Liquid360 · Apr 3, 2013

LEDs all the way!!

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jackson6745 · Apr 3, 2013

Led's can't hang with 250w and 400w halides as far as spectrum, intensity, coverage. If you want to save money on your electric bill, sure LED's will grow your coral. If you want the best spectrum possible, LED's are not the way. Most guys who disagree with me have not run halides. To each is own.

screefer · Apr 3, 2013

I have LED's and have never looked back. All types of coral have great color and growth

Liquid360 · Apr 3, 2013

I ran 250w halides/Phoenix 14k before switching to LEDs. They have been sooo better in every imaginable way. IMO.

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Tylermacdonald15 · Apr 3, 2013

They aren't necessarily better at growing coral than MH or t5's but the money you save on bulb changes and electric bill make them better in my opinion.

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Liquid360 · Apr 3, 2013

Also I'm aware that par isn't everything but the par was far higher than my halides, reaching 350 on the sand bed.

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Poseidon · Apr 3, 2013

jackson6745 said:
Led's can't hang with 250w and 400w halides as far as spectrum, intensity, coverage. If you want to save money on your electric bill, sure LED's will grow your coral. If you want the best spectrum possible, LED's are not the way. Most guys who disagree with me have not run halides. To each is own.

I have been in the hobby nearly 30 years, and I have ran Regular Fluorescent, VHO, HALIDE, and T5. I am now running LED. Your statement is clearly not backed by science, rather anecdotal evidence of what you may think is happening. LED does in fact match halides in intensity, and can be manipulated so delicately in spectrum that no halide can compete. I can ramp up my fixture with control of not only intensity, but also spectrum. There is NO HALIDE that can do that, Period.

I am a firm believer in the concept of "pictures or it didn't happen", so I invite you to take a look at my previous tank, it was first lit by halide, then T5. My current tank is only about 3 months old in its current location, so all I have is frags, but in 6-8 months, this new tank will rival my old.

Take a peak for yourself:
Mike LaPorte (PerfectPix)'s Photos : Aquariums | SmugMug

Connie · Apr 3, 2013

I have no experience with MH, so I can't compare them, but I went from T5 to T5/LED mix to straight LED. I get faster growth and much better color out of everything in the tank. You do have to be careful with the LEDs though, before you realize it, they will burn things up. You have to start with low percentage and slowly increase.

jackson6745 · Apr 3, 2013

Poseidon said:
I have been in the hobby nearly 30 years, and I have ran Regular Fluorescent, VHO, HALIDE, and T5. I am now running LED. Your statement is clearly not backed by science, rather anecdotal evidence of what you may think is happening. LED does in fact match halides in intensity, and can be manipulated so delicately in spectrum that no halide can compete. I can ramp up my fixture with control of not only intensity, but also spectrum. There is NO HALIDE that can do that, Period.

I am a firm believer in the concept of "pictures or it didn't happen", so I invite you to take a look at my previous tank, it was first lit by halide, then T5. My current tank is only about 3 months old in its current location, so all I have is frags, but in 6-8 months, this new tank will rival my old.

Take a peak for yourself:
Mike LaPorte (PerfectPix)'s Photos : Aquariums | SmugMug

Glad your happy. That's cool. I feel differently and it's not based on science, it's based on experience. I've been in the hobby 20 years

BTW I understand that LED's have high par readings but if you compare the par readings and coverage areas..... it's not so great. Besides PAR is not the most important factor.

bigkai · Apr 3, 2013

Iv never had MH but in 6 years iv went from t12 to PC to t5 and now its driving me crazy waiting for my first LED kit I ordered Monday lol iv been waiting for 3 days now and can't wait for the jump to LEDs I'm way to excited lol

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mike007 · Apr 3, 2013

I switched from halides to leds. My tank now runs cooler and corals are very happy. What really amazed me is on average my electric bill has gone down $30.00 dollars a month.:wink: My advice is to buy the best leds you can afford. Orphecs all the way.:tongue:

Liquid360 · Apr 3, 2013

I took this approach to my own birth but my mother says it happened. Despite having no photographic evidence she's insistent I take her word.

[QUOTE=Poseidon;1284173I am a firm believer in the concept of "pictures or it didn't happen".

ChristopherKriens · Apr 4, 2013

I went from T5s straight to LED. There are a lot of people that tried LEDs a couple years ago and were disappointed. A lot has changed in a short period of time, especially with regard to PAR and spectrum. These are the reasons I chose LED:

• Retains natural caustic effects (shimmer)
• Spectrum adjustability - for both growth and aesthetics
• Intensity scheduling - Slowly ramping up and down naturally
• Generally take up much less physical space
• Low heat generation- no chiller required (depending on system)
• Electricity costs are significantly less
• No bulb replacement costs
• No spectrum shift over time with aging bulbs
• Upgradability (depending on model)
• None or very little light in the UV spectrum

alliecat · Apr 4, 2013

i think it depends on what corals you want to keep. i have what others call "crappy" LEDs. i have a beamswork 48" reef LED fixture i got for $109. its a knockoff Marineland reef capable. that is the only fixture on my 55 and have had it for about a year. i have LPS all doing fine, growing, some even on the sand bed. (hammers, bubbles, duncans, blastos), as well as a green monti cap, some GSP, rics, zoas, and a few other softies. I would consider my lights as "moderate". Knowing that- i would never even bother with SPS besides monti or clams. Doesnt bother me- i prefer LPS and softies. A friend of mine has a really expensive $800 fixture (i cant remember the brand) on his 50 and hes got everything in there. so i think it depends what you like. If i ever wanted more light, i would maybe add another fixture (this fixture is only 4" wide- ideal for my canopy). im content with what i have and you really cant beat that price. i also dont miss replacing bulbs all the time.

jedimasterben · Apr 4, 2013

jackson6745 said:
Led's can't hang with 250w and 400w halides as far as spectrum, intensity, coverage. If you want to save money on your electric bill, sure LED's will grow your coral. If you want the best spectrum possible, LED's are not the way. Most guys who disagree with me have not run halides. To each is own.

I don't run halides, and won't. I see zero point with where LEDs are today, and it can (and is) only getting better. Just waiting for manufacturers to finally catch up, which usually takes six months behind the DIY trends, but as of now are over a year behind.

WesF · Apr 4, 2013

jackson6745 said:
Led's can't hang with 250w and 400w halides as far as spectrum, intensity, coverage. If you want to save money on your electric bill, sure LED's will grow your coral. If you want the best spectrum possible, LED's are not the way. Most guys who disagree with me have not run halides. To each is own.

100% agree.

Every SPS frag I get from an LED tank looks like crap and takes a few months to color up. And every frag I sell people say "wow, the colors are amazing what kind of lights are you using?"

Just old fashioned MH here. Nothing special. I've tried LED on my frag tank and was disappointed. And I havn't seen any tanks using LEDs that have convinced me LEDs are just as good. It's just not there yet. Maybe in a few more years ill be convinced to try again.

jedimasterben · Apr 4, 2013

WesF said:
100% agree.

Every SPS frag I get from an LED tank looks like crap and takes a few months to color up. And every frag I sell people say "wow, the colors are amazing what kind of lights are you using?"

Just old fashioned MH here. Nothing special. I've tried LED on my frag tank and was disappointed. And I havn't seen any tanks using LEDs that have convinced me LEDs are just as good. It's just not there yet. Maybe in a few more years ill be convinced to try again.

Well, if you don't use crappy LEDs, you won't have those results.

Liquid360 · Apr 4, 2013

Agreed! To make generalizations about LEDs isn't accurate or helpful... at least I believe this to be so. You can't really compare industrial halide bulbs to the high end ones. They are just different animals. Some LEDs I believe we'll agree ain't so great while some are stellar.