Leds for actinic supplimentation?

[Azurel]

I am interested in getting some leds for actinic supplimentation and energy savings. With so many products on the market what ones are you guys using? I know Powerbrights are pretty big right now. Are they good enough for supplimentation when the MH are on? I have a single 14k 250w Hamilton. The leds would replace my 24wX2 T-5s, I get some color pop from them but nothing like I used toget with VHO. I have looked at Icecap tubes, Powerbrights and a few others but don't want to spend an arm and a leg....Let me know what you guys think are the best bang for the buck when it comes to color and won't get over powered by the MHs.....

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

Hit up benny z at Johnny's Reef in the sponsors about the reefbrites. They are the best imo. All LEDs are fairly expensive now, it all matters how many and what kind of wattage each fixture is. I would consider a retrofit LED system if you want it on the cheap.

Someone on the group purchase thread in Johnny's Reef forum just gave a PAR reading for reefbrites. Thats about all you would need to know. All else is just opinions imo. PAR is fact, but then again few have quantum meters

hth

 

[fab1971]

I just bought a strip of Powerbrite Leds 50/50 to supplement my 150 mh 14k. I also have 2 ho 39 watt but they aren't doing it for me and I wanted to see what kind of difference it would make. Figured for 59$ it wouldn't hurt as much as the reefbrites. They'll get here in a couple of days and I'll let you know if there's a difference or not.

 

[Azurel]

Cool Let me know......Reefbrights look great but didn't want to spend $200 that would be most of my coral money......

 

[fab1971]

I thought I read somewhere that adding leds to the tank can kill some corals because it's too much for them. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Dylan]

I thought I read somewhere that adding leds to the tank can kill some corals because it's too much for them. Has anyone else heard this?

Lots of people will make a LED array that is dimmable. LEDs put out tons of PAR, but don't always look as bright as a MH bulb or T5s. So, they turn it up, and without knowing they kill it.

It's the same thing as changing to a 400w Metal Halide light from a 150w metal halide light and not acclimating.

 

[Dylan]

Azurel, what dimensions are your tank?

 

[Azurel]

24"x24"x24" I was thinking maybe a 15" reefbright might be enough but not sure.....Still trying to figure it all out and read up on reviews.

 

[johnanddawn]

i have power brights (2 actinic and 1 50/50) and really like them but they are over powered even by my T5's so you MH will over power them when its on - but when the T5's are off - wow
when i ran MH the only actinic that could cut it were VHO when the MH was on - T5 actinics and LED's just don't cut through the brightness to cause fluorescence
if i were still running MH i would still be running VHO actinics - but that doesn't help your power consumption
so i think you either have to up the power bill or be satisfied with dusk/dawn wow factor of LED's
but then i haven't tried any of the new ones on the market so...

 

[Acezwild]

Im using Coral sky SL on mine and I wouldn't go else where. They are expensive but they dont get any better then this. CoralSky

 

[Azurel]

That looks like a sweet set-up Ace.....But more then I wanted to spend.....I want to get an RO/Di unit at the same time. I think I might go with a Reefbright simply cause of the price....Although if I had the cash free I would get that Coralsky unit.

 

[Paul_N]

I am getting rid of T5's on my 220. I am going to start with these for supplemental with my MH:

Household LED Light Bulb 110V E27

and then add a couple of Evilc66's PAR 38 when I get the extra cash.

 

[Pellaeon]

I have a 25 gallon high tank. I use a 250W MH and just changed over from 2 x ATI Blue Plus t5HO to a 24" reefbrite from Benny. I am absolutely thrilled with the turn out. Chalices and Acans, and a few zoas, seem to approve of it also :bigsmile: which is ultimately what it is all about.

 

[SaraB]

I'm looking to purchase the ReefBrites in all actinic's to supplement my 250 MH's and brighten an area where the MH lights do not spread well to.

 

[Azurel]

I am about to pull the trigger on some myself Sara.....So far they look like the best bang for the buck....

 

[SaraB]

They are incredible seeing them in person. I've seen Ben's in use at a swap and I've used my friend Bill's from Midwest Saltwater at a swap on my corals and the color pop just can't compare to plain old MH!

 

[Azurel]

I got my Reef Brites today and have to say that they were the right choice......The 24" at max power is so bright I couldn't look at them for more then a few seconds.....This one 24" LED bar replaced my 2 T-5 actinics. there is a differance in the light as far as crispness and fluorescence from the corals....I might add another one sometime in the future.....I would even consider over the next year changing over to all LEDs....Very happy with the choice.

 

[SaraB]

Awesome, glad you were happy with the purchase! So where are the pics?

 

[jtunafish]

azurel, do you mind me asking where you picked up your powerbrites, thanks tunafish

 

[Azurel]

azurel, do you mind me asking where you picked up your powerbrites, thanks tunafish

I got the Reef Brites.....They are more powerfull and a little more expensive, but well worth it. I got them at Premium Aquatics....


I will have some pics asap Sara....I took some but they were blurry so I have to retake....