LEDs Frustrate me!

[Scoobie245]

I've been running LEDs for about a year now in my tank and i've gotta say... corals arent as colorful and the growth isnt that great compared to MH. I used to run 1 250watt MH and swapped it for a Ecotech radion... not happy at all! Tried other peoples settings... made my own.. lessened the output... lessened the light cycle... tried pretty much everything! Anyone experience similar issues? I'm wondering if i should switch back to MH...

 

[Pkunk35]

I think you should if you're not happy with the LED!

I love my LED but everyone's going to have their preference.

 

[MBSL55]

I'm a huge fan of LED's but at the same time, I've heard the same thing from others in my local club that have been at this for a while and went back to MH or T5. I say go with what you are happy with and what works best for you. If the LED's aren't cutting it for you and getting you the results that MH was, then there is no reason to not go back and maybe add a LED accent strip for additional color pop.

There are so many different things going on in each of our tanks and so little that we know about all the different corals and things we keep as compared to what we actually do know. What seems to work for one person, when duplicated by another person, sometimes just doesn't work out. For instance, I've got a friend that runs his tank at the same parameters as I do, similar equipment, salt, supplements, etc but for he cannot keep a birdsnest alive for the life of him. On the other hand, mine grows like crabgrass and I am always trimming it and can't kill it.

 

[garryclarkfl]

Try different leds such as DIY with rapid led

 

[AdeptMrSniffles]

What size tank and how many Raions are you running??

 

[montethemoster]

It may just be a decrease in PAR. A drop from 250 watt MH to 120 watt LED seems like a pretty big drop in power to me regardless of LEDs being more efficient. Maybe just try taking some PAR readings if possible and go from there.

 

[Pappy]

It may just be a decrease in PAR. A drop from 250 watt MH to 120 watt LED seems like a pretty big drop in power to me regardless of LEDs being more efficient. Maybe just try taking some PAR readings if possible and go from there.

Wattage is irrelevant when it comes to LEDs and par. They penetrate deeper. +1 on size tank and 1 fixture? What are the parameters of water? Good water is just as important as lighting.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

It may just be a decrease in PAR. A drop from 250 watt MH to 120 watt LED seems like a pretty big drop in power to me regardless of LEDs being more efficient. Maybe just try taking some PAR readings if possible and go from there.

They are about the same in power, efficiency means this: more light with less watts. I would suggest a supplement of 410-430nm violets, however params are needed to come to any conclusion. What kind of corals do you have?

 

[BAUCE]

still waiting to see how I like my kessil