Switching to LED's

[denverjon]

I know this question is asked a lot but I'm hoping for some advice. I'm finally going to make the switch from MH's to LED's and need some help on selecting the right one. Below are my parameters...

-My tank is a 250 gallon Marineland DD. The dimensions are 60 long x 37 deep x 27 high
-I have a mixed tank of sps and lps

I'm one of these hobbyists who is technologically challenged and doesn't like to tinker too much with my equipment, so I'm looking for an LED that's fairly easy to program. Also, I'm looking for a light that's got good spread.

As for my budget, I'd like to be somewhere in the $2,000 - $2500 range. The guys at my local shop recommended the Radions but I think they're beyond my budget.

 

[xabo]

Have you read through this thread? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/interesting-new-led-light.640820/

 

[Scorpius]

I like my kessil 360x's because I can't mess up the spectrum. I pick the color and intensity and I'm good to go.

 

[oreo54]

First thing is how many watts of mh's are you replacing?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

There sales on hydras now especially the new models came out. Check them out and I think it’s the best values for leds.

 

[denverjon]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm currently running two 250 20k radiums along with two powerbrite led strips and led's.

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm currently running two 250 20k radiums along with two powerbrite led strips and led's.

Why do you want to get rid of them? That’s an awesome set up. I think you will be disappointed with most options coming from that.

 

[Brian W]

I personally love Radions. I switched from 8 T5's to a XR30 Gen 4 PRO (24" cube tank) and love it. You can save vcd a little money and get GEN 3 XR15's and have better light spread but I think even if you do this you will be over budget.

I hear many great things about the Mars Aqua black box leds and how great they grow coral but also that they are cheaply made and not UL certified...which scares me. I've used 1 before but bv sold it because I switched to T5's. These black boxes also put out quite a but of PAR. Not sure on how far the light penetrates though.

My last recommendation is T247 leds..They are pretty fairly priced, produce great PAR and color. I've used one of these on a frag tank to grow sps and it did a great job.

There are so many different options out there but ever since I bought my radion I'm not sure if I would ever need to use any other lights whether it be LED, T5's or MH.

Good luck!!

 

[jsker]

Ecotech and AI are the same company

I have been happy with my Hydra 26hd's for the past 3.5 years. The new Hydra's are supposed to be even better with more spectrum.

I was thinking the same when I upgraded to my current Hydra 26hd's. I was thinking Radion's, but they were out of my budget.

My next lights will be either the new Hydra's or the GHL Mitras LX7.

 

[denverjon]

I meant two led strips and t5's along with my mh's.

 

[Hemmdog]

I meant two led strips and t5's along with my mh's.

Want to trade ?? Lol

 

[oreo54]

So think in terms of matching LED output minus about 25%..or so.
Make sure you account for losses on shifting spectrum..
The way I see it is the most get in trouble by not accounting for the current light output vs the new lights.

As an example you'd need 6 Hydra 26's (closeout model so prices are good) depending on how you would configure them..
6 x 95 = 570W output and you would more than likely throw a chuck out by dimming the green,red, and cool white channels..

AI Hydra TwentySix +HD Aquarium LED, White - AquaIllumination

Free Shipping on Everything, Rewards, Free Swag, Price Matching & Free Returns.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

@ $257 for 95W of controlled LED's isn't a bad deal..IF you want an "older" model..

there are very good arguments not to switch but this is your choice..
and as to which LED's well also good arguments for one brand over another..

Keep in mind I'm only considering quantity of light as opposed to quality..I'll leave that for others.

 

[biecacka]

Look into Orpheks....probably get by with 2 units. Or just stay with halides. There are plenty of options out there

corey

 

[jda]

What are you looking to leave behind? What are you looking to get? Hard to recommend anything without your goals.

 

[Oldreefer44]

2 Orphek Atlantiks would cover your tank and allow you to grow whatever you want wherever you want. All of the others suggested would also work along with Reef Fi's but would need at least 4 of any of them.

 

[jda]

Just generally speaking, none of the point-source LEDs have good spread. None. If spread is a major concern, then think panels like Orphek or ReefBreeders The point source units end up with T5s nearly all the time over SPS, or they end up with a massive amount of units (like 10 Radion xr30s to replace 3x MH in the case of Dr. Joshi). Seems like the wider panels work alone a bit more.

A 37" deep tank will need two rows of LEDs if mounted longways. You can mount some 36" LEDs front to back, but you will need some about every 18-20 inches to cover a SPS Tank - so like 3-4 Photon V2s or Orpheks. People who are recommending 2 units probably missed that the tank is three feet deep.

Nothing is going to spread like your Radium in the reflectors. I would recommend that you not sell them for a long while until you are sure that you like this. If you do, send me a PM on the Local Board and I will buy them from you since I have never been able to get LEDs off of my frag tank and onto my display, so I still buy used MH stuff since it seems like I will be on them for a while.