LED vs. MH

firefightered · Mar 9, 2012

I have a 46 bf with SPS coral and some softies. I need some factual info from someone that has switched from MH to LED. I can purchase a MH set-up for less than the LED DIY kit. I just want to do what is best for my corals. I am looking for growth and color. I have been looking at the aquastyle 36 led kit.
Thanks, Ed

TopNotchCorals · Mar 9, 2012

I did the switch a while back and went back to MH's, you can't beat/match the look of a MH period!!

ColaAddict · Mar 9, 2012

I've used different LED's and known quite a few people who switched to LED's. Basically we all switched back to either MH or T5's. I think if you have mostly LPS, LED's are fine, but when I switched to LED's alot of my SPS and BTA's either got dull color wise, or died. I would either use T5, or some kind of hallide/T5 combo.

secretreefer · Mar 9, 2012

yeah i have a buddy with all LED's. the colors aren't just the same as my Triple Threat setup.

BluegrassReef · Mar 9, 2012

bayreefer said:
you can't beat/match the look of a MH period!!

Amen....I love halides and VHO's....I will stay old school till the end...lol

blesk · Mar 9, 2012

secretreefer said:
yeah i have a buddy with all LED's. the colors aren't just the same as my Triple Threat setup.

vhot is the triple treat , i run led now and i don't like it that much looking go back to maybe 6 bulbs and supplement on side with led dyi strips for shimmer.

SteezySPS · Mar 9, 2012

I saw the Vivid 800g mh/led experiment in person and i personally think led's have yet a ways to go in regards to sps coloration. the mh side was easier on the eyes as well.

ingtar_shinowa · Mar 9, 2012

If you are using a system with only Cool Whites and Royal blues you lose out on a ton of spectrum. You need a few red green and violets to give your corals the same spectrum as a metal halide.

secretreefer · Mar 9, 2012

blesk said:
vhot is the triple treat , i run led now and i don't like it that much looking go back to maybe 6 bulbs and supplement on side with led dyi strips for shimmer.

Triple threat - 2x 250w halides 14k phoenix bulbs, 2x ATI purple Plus T5, 2x 48" reefbrite all blue LEDS. ...

Reef Breeders · Mar 9, 2012

I think that leds are much better. I have had leds for several months, and all of my softies and lps are even more colorful. SPS looks either exactly the same or better. I got new frags encrusting almost the untire plug in a few weeks. I have t-5s in my frag tank and the frags look terrible. Other than some acans, softies look bad, and I have not added sps for the same reason.

secretreefer · Mar 9, 2012

could i ask what LED's you're using? was it reefled's? or did you buy the fixture pre built ones? i'm thinking of switching to LED because the electric bill and heat issues.

asmashling · Mar 9, 2012

For me, LED its just better in any case. (not everywhere in europe..) you got higher par values that grow your corals, you got much less algae when you using fine leds, good leds are also dimmable without squeezing the lifetime down for getting new corals in your tank without stressing them. they are producing much less heat and consuming much less energy, which is a good effort in the pocket and for the nature ;-)

also on fine leds you can have nearly every color that you want without using rub crap. and a good 16 to 18k are looking exactly like on of the most famous metal halides ;-) BUT - as when you are choosing good leds, you will not have the same same shimmer on the ground as from an MH where the lights come just from one origin

asmashling · Mar 9, 2012

some additional thoughts - when you are using cheap 3W or cree LEDS which insufficient PAR values or PAR values that are going down in the deep - then you will go better with a MH. But when you are using good LEDS 1W then just everything is "better" -

flame on ;P

Reef Breeders · Mar 9, 2012

secretreefer said:
could i ask what LED's you're using? was it reefled's? or did you buy the fixture pre built ones? i'm thinking of switching to LED because the electric bill and heat issues.

I used reefledlights. DIY is the best way to go. That way, you know exactly what you are using

Reef Breeders · Mar 9, 2012

asmashling said:
some additional thoughts - when you are using cheap 3W or cree LEDS which insufficient PAR values or PAR values that are going down in the deep - then you will go better with a MH. But when you are using good LEDS 1W then just everything is "better" -

flame on ;P

That is the exact opposite of what I have heard, and 1 watt leds are the cheap ones, the crees are some of the best in the business. If you have deep water, simply attach optics to increase light penetration.

secretreefer · Mar 9, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
I used reefledlights. DIY is the best way to go. That way, you know exactly what you are using

Thank you.

ca2or · Mar 9, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
That is the exact opposite of what I have heard, and 1 watt leds are the cheap ones, the crees are some of the best in the business. If you have deep water, simply attach optics to increase light penetration.

Hmm...not sure I agree other than my unit was under $400 vs over $700.....but I run 1 watts....120 of them....and I can tell you my sps is growing better under this than my 250w HQI setup

Not saying my unit is better than Radion or Cree's....but saying it quite possibly be giving Mr the same results as those

Reef Breeders · Mar 9, 2012

Yes, but why use 120 1 watt leds, when 36 3watts could do the same? Def easier to assemble and more efficient

MattL22 · Mar 9, 2012

I've been running 72 3w Cree LEDs over my 75 gal hey stocked with sps frags I gotta. Say I like the LEDs but wanna try t5s my growth is just not there

asmashling · Mar 9, 2012

ya - well know missunderstoodment. Most of the 3w LEDS have an actual output of only 2.3watts and 1 watt leds mostly 1.2 - 1.4watts - but what soever.
Most of the people forget to consider one thing - the voltage. When you talk about voltage, you can gain much more power throughout 3x1w leds then of 1x3w leds.
Also you can run the 1 watt leds with much less voltage to get the same output as from 3w leds and that results in a much longer lifespan without loosing capaity.
Literally every Cree or 3w leds loosing output within the first 1-2 years and will not lasting as long as a 1w because you have to "drive" them with more power - 1w highpower leds just don`t.
the lower voltage on 3w are causing also some frequency issues that are responsible for less lifetime also..

And: 1 watt leds will not be so hot as 3 watt leds