LEDS Lifespan

[Robert Vacchiano]

You can get metal halid bulbs on line for 15 each plus shipping. They have 10k 14k and 20k and colors are good. I get 250 watt metal halide once a year. They are plusrite bulbs

 

[DBR_Reef]

You can get metal halid bulbs on line for 15 each plus shipping. They have 10k 14k and 20k and colors are good. I get 250 watt metal halide once a year. They are plusrite bulbs

Can you post a link? I always buy the Phoenix 14k, but for that price, I would certainly give them a shot

 

[Frederick Edwards]

After having LEDs for nearly 5 years now I've decided to add T5 's back into the mix.

What brand and type led you running?

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

Sure not home now but later this morning I will check and post a link for bulbs

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

Light bulbs.com. 1000bulbs.com. And lightbulbsurplus.com I have used the first two company. The brand is plusrite

 

[bobyboy]

What brand and type led you running?

I currently have Radion XR30 G3, I've had in the past multiple different ones.
- Rapid LED par38
- Rapid LED DIY kit
- Maxspect Razor
- Mara black boxes
- AI

All of them had pretty much the same outcomes good color slow growth, I spent a lot of money and time trying to figure out why my corals where growing so slowly before concluding it was the LED's.

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

I use 3 250 watt metal halides on a 300 gallon deep dimension tank 2 20k and one 10 k growth and color are great with the 15 dollar plusrite bulbs. Change them out once a year. Have lps and spa with a few softies

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

Sps corals

 

[GoVols]

I still love the 20K radiums.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

If you go Cree X series LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours and then at least 75% Brightness...

LED Fixtures vary greatly in life span. Chinese No Name Imports may have their Driver fail between 9 and 24 months. If the Fixture runs hot with dated generic three watt LEDs it is not uncommon for a row of LEDs to go out after 18 months..

If you DIY using BJB Solderless Connectors you can easily swap out a LED or replace the driver if it gives you problems...Our DIK Kits have been running for over 5 years with an occasional Driver or Fan replacement. Its very easy and with the Makers Heatsink looks are pretty good...

A quality fixture like the Sirius XTC or Ecotech Radion should last at least 5 years with the weak link being the fan in a salt air/dust environment. This is the main reason we added a temperature readout with thermal protection...Years later if you fan fails you will know early so you can address the problem before the whole fixture fails...For extended life expectancy, I like to see a fixture running no warmer than 130F with the norm around 100-110F

 

[ReefLEDLights]

Here's my $0.02

After having LEDs for nearly 5 years now I've decided to add T5 's back into the mix.

Leds give you great color but in my experience much slower growth.

I'm 100% LEDs only and with over 200PAR on the sand Bed I'm getting great growth and no heat. Spectrum Matters...