Looking at buying an LED lighting system need some help

[mcarroll]

You may or may not be aware, but T5 bulbs need to be replaced between every six months and one year. Very often for the price of your bulb replacements you can get or make a brand-new LED fixture that will last five or 10 years or more.

One consideration for air cooled fixtures like the one you listed and the ones being mentioned, is that if you run them at 100% output continuously, I think you risk the longevity of the fixture. For example all four of my original Ecoxotic panorama strips (an old model) burned out within 2 to 3 years.

Get a $15 lux meter from Amazon, eBay, etc. and use that to make sure you have enough light.m and not too much. It would be best for your light whatever you get if it can be run at less than 100% power all the time.

 

[mcarroll]

Also FYI, it looks like two or three of the fluval lights would theoretically generate the right amount of lux with enough headroom that you could dim them a little. Four would not be too many.

EDIT: After looking up to see how powerful they are (59 watts each), I think two or three would probably be plenty. ($400-$600) I don't one would be enough, and I think four may be overkill unless they are not being mounted right on the tank.

 

[mcarroll]

That ecoxotic light appears to be more for planted tanks.

 

[Brian Kim]

Only problem is LED will not grow SPS as well as T5's. Oh well, at least you will be saving tons of money on your electric bill and bulb replacement every 6-12 months.

 

[mcarroll]

For the orbit marine pro that has been mentioned, at 67 watts plus 60° lenses, it looks like one should work but two might be ideal.

You would want model number 4113, and it looks like you be looking at about 500 bucks.

 

[mcarroll]

With both options I think you would be safe starting on the lower end and only upgrading to the higher end if you judge it is needed later.

 

[mcarroll]

Something to consider is that the orbit is designed to be mounted/suspended significantly over the top of the aquarium to get adequate spread.

In contrast, the Fluval is designed to sit directly on top of the aquarium.

I prefer suspended lights because they make it easier to feed and do maintenance, but your mileage may definitely vary.

 

[KSReefing]

If you're on a budget Chinese LEDs aren't a bad choice. You can get a few for less than 100 a piece. I've used those and they work perfect.

 

[scardall]

If you're on a budget Chinese LEDs aren't a bad choice. You can get a few for less than 100 a piece. I've used those and they work perfect.

In the short term T-5 lighting is Superior( Only because of the need to change bulbs) IMO Budget Chinese led fixtures are NOT the perfect choice. In the long term Leds are cheaper to run than T5's, so it is better save you money and buy a 1/2 way decent led fixture. For a budget fixture worth starting with I would buy Reef Radiance . ( on sale to 1/10/16 and stating at $159 for one and $318 for Two) http://www.reefradiance.com/prostar.html By the Way I use Aqua Ray led Fixtures.(5 year warranty) Using Cree and Orsam leds which are Superior to All Chinese Leds. Good Luck @Andrea Rickman

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have found the 'cheap Chinese' leds to be more than adequate for my sps tank.

 

[scardall]

There is a great site to read up on lighting that might help in your choice of light fixture etc.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

 

[KSReefing]

In the short term T-5 lighting is Superior( Only because of the need to change bulbs) IMO Budget Chinese led fixtures are NOT the perfect choice. In the long term Leds are cheaper to run than T5's, so it is better save you money and buy a 1/2 way decent led fixture. For a budget fixture worth starting with I would buy Reef Radiance . ( on sale to 1/10/16 and stating at $159 for one and $318 for Two) http://www.reefradiance.com/prostar.html By the Way I use Aqua Ray led Fixtures.(5 year warranty) Using Cree and Orsam leds which are Superior to All Chinese Leds. Good Luck @Andrea Rickman

I've run a mixed reef with softies, lps, sps, and a clam with the Chinese LEDs and have doubled growth in no time. Never said they were perfect for everyone but perfect in the sense of not breaking the bank and getting satisfying results.

 

[scardall]

I've run a mixed reef with softies, lps, sps, and a clam with the Chinese LEDs and have doubled growth in no time. Never said they were perfect for everyone but perfect in the sense of not breaking the bank and getting satisfying results.

That is what some say

 

[dewboy1127]

Maxspect razor or t5s

 

[scardall]

Maxspect razor or t5s

Easy Maxspect Razor for sure.

 

[Jlobes]

Only problem is LED will not grow SPS as well as T5's. Oh well, at least you will be saving tons of money on your electric bill and bulb replacement every 6-12 months.

wow, are we really still spreading this misinfo?? if you cant grow sps with LED, youre using crap lights or doing something wrong

 

[Brian Kim]

wow, are we really still spreading this misinfo?? if you cant grow sps with LED, youre using crap lights or doing something wrong

I wouldnt say Kessil 360s are crap lights but really, nothing like using T5's to grow sps....met many reefers that sell frags from their home and ALL of them who do this for a living confirms not experiencing much growth using Kessil, AI, Radions etc

 

[mcarroll]

Many = ?

 

[Brian Kim]

the serious ones with massive 200+ gallon frag tanks (home hobby/business)

 

[eatbreakfast]

So how many reefers= many?

So would it be safe to say that if the OP doesn't plan on commercializing her dt that leds would still be an affordable solution.

T5's run more wattage and the bulbs need to be replaced, at least yearly, as well as most halfway decent t5 fixtures are just as expensive, if not significantly more than 'cheap Chinese' leds.

Halides run way more wattage, produce a ton of heat, bulbs need to be replaced yearly, and fixtures are significantly more expensive than 'cheap Chinese' leds.