The Skimmate Podcast

[Thales]

I'm going to mostly agree with this but there is a bit more to the story. While a 250w MH "may" draw the same as a 250w LED, that doesn't mean the PAR output of both fixtures is the same. I use the term "may" because my experience is that lighting manufacturers may advertise their fixtures as being 150w based on the max ratings of the LED's but typically use much less power than advertised.
And, there is more. If a MH is pulling 250w that doesn't mean it is putting out the same amount of PAR, PUR, Lumens or Lux as an LED pulling 250w. Much of that power isn't being converted to light energy, but to heat. If we are talking strictly PAR and PUR, LED's may have an advantage because they are single wavelength so all of the light they emit should be useful.
To me, the more useful measurement would be PAR or PUR per watt. I suspect that the MH delivers fewer PAR per watt, but I'm only guessing.
This also doesn't factor in that if you live somewhere that you run heat more than AC, the hotter fixture may save on heating bills. If you live where I do and AC runs 10 months of the year, the cooler fixture has an advantage. And if you keep your windows open 8 months of the year, I doubt it really matters.

So much goes into this....

You bet.

 

[Thales]

The theory is not about watt vs watt, but about the perceived potential savings of LED over other forms of lighting.

Sure, but you pay by electrical usage, so watts seems like the right metric to talk about savings. Fans and bulb replacement also factor in. What am I missing?

What is the wattage draw for your lighting set up?

Over the display are 3 radion xr30 pros, and two reefbrite 60 inch XHO fixtures.
Here is the graph of the actual draw over a day:

 

[Miller535]

The savings people talk about with LED vs say MH is because an led can put out enough usable light to grow coral using less electricity. Yes you could compare a led fixtures max output and say it's the same as a MH. But a whole lot of people with led's never run them at 100%.

 

[Miller535]

It's the same reason flashlights have gotten small, using smaller batteries but are brighter then the old clunky ones that used bulbs.

 

[mrpizzaface]

Sure, but you pay by electrical usage, so watts seems like the right metric to talk about savings. Fans and bulb replacement also factor in. What am I missing?

In your case it seems very clear that you use less wattage compared to 2 or 3 250 watt metal halides.
I don't want to debate the merits of one lighting style over another, I really just wanted to know your real world electrical usage.
I am trying to determine what lighting to put on a large reef tank I am setting up. I know a 10x80watt ATI fixture will use 800 watts. I am not sure how much power I would be using with 6 Radion xr30 pros? Would I supplement with T5 Also? If I draw 100 watts from each led and run 3 80 watt T5 supplements I have exceeded the usage of the 10x80watt ATI fixture, but at what cost. Is the hybrid system better? Not sure. Confused.

 

[Miller535]

I could not comment on hybrid being any better. I couldn't and wouldn't say that any type of light is better or worse. I currently run only led, but I am in the process of adding some T5's just to help with shadowing, and some aesthetics.

 

[madweazl]

The savings people talk about with LED vs say MH is because an led can put out enough usable light to grow coral using less electricity.

Do you believe an XR30 (190w max) produces better results than a 175w metal halide covering the same surface area and depth?

 

[Miller535]

Do you believe an XR30 (190w max) produces better results than a 175w metal halide covering the same surface area and depth?

I really don't know. I would say they both would work, and that it's a matter of preference. I personally prefer the look of leds.

 

[Thales]

In your case it seems very clear that you use less wattage compared to 2 or 3 250 watt metal halides.
I don't want to debate the merits of one lighting style over another, I really just wanted to know your real world electrical usage.
I am trying to determine what lighting to put on a large reef tank I am setting up. I know a 10x80watt ATI fixture will use 800 watts. I am not sure how much power I would be using with 6 Radion xr30 pros? Would I supplement with T5 Also? If I draw 100 watts from each led and run 3 80 watt T5 supplements I have exceeded the usage of the 10x80watt ATI fixture, but at what cost. Is the hybrid system better? Not sure. Confused.

I am not sure what you are asking. Why are you so concerned with power?

 

[Brew12]

 

[Brew12]

In your case it seems very clear that you use less wattage compared to 2 or 3 250 watt metal halides.
I don't want to debate the merits of one lighting style over another, I really just wanted to know your real world electrical usage.
I am trying to determine what lighting to put on a large reef tank I am setting up. I know a 10x80watt ATI fixture will use 800 watts. I am not sure how much power I would be using with 6 Radion xr30 pros? Would I supplement with T5 Also? If I draw 100 watts from each led and run 3 80 watt T5 supplements I have exceeded the usage of the 10x80watt ATI fixture, but at what cost. Is the hybrid system better? Not sure. Confused.

I feel power is the wrong way to think about lighting. Figure out how much PAR you need for the coral you plan to grow, what spectrum you want to run, how important controllability is to you, and what kind of spread you need for your rock structure. Then you can start thinking about how to achieve those goals.

Point source lights like Kessils may work great in some tanks but they would be completely wrong in mine. And there is nothing wrong with upgrading over time. I started with 2 fixtures and when my coral were smaller it was great. Then I added 1 more and shifted their position. I recently added an additional 2 as I started getting new shading issues.

 

[mrpizzaface]

I am not sure what you are asking. Why are you so concerned with power?

I was trying to see how many watts you were using with your lighting setup. You gave a clear response. I appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[mrpizzaface]

I am not sure what you are asking. Why are you so concerned with power?

What happened to your atheism thread in the lounge? I tried to start an atheist club while I was in high school as a counterpoint to FCA. They wouldn’t allow me. I’m guessing something similar happened here.

 

[Thales]

New Episode!

EPISODE 11 - Curbside Reefing
Terence and Rich are back! In this episode we explain the gap in episodes, talk about the corona pandemic, what to do and not do to your tank right now, how to shop and support the local and national industry, and somehow find time to talk about the difference between CaRx and two part. And, it turns out, that Rich’s extra co2 cylinder is full and ready to go.
Podcast available here https://podcasts.apple.com/…/the-skimmate-podc…/id1469164785
>>> PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT DUE TO COVID-19, THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED OVER THE INTERNET - AUDIO DOES NOT HAVE ITS USUAL QUALITY - WE WILL WORK ON THIS FOR THE NEXT ONE! <<<
Links:
ESV -https://www.esvaquarium.com/
Neptune Aquatics - http://www.neptuneaquatics.com/
Aquatic Collection - https://www.aquaticcollection.com/
Like the show, check us out on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/skimmate…
Past episodes available at www.skimmate.com

 

[Flatlandreefer]

Audio seemed fine to me for episode 11. If sacrificing a little in the audio department means more frequent/regular episodes I say go for it.

 

[Thales]

Audio seemed fine to me for episode 11. If sacrificing a little in the audio department means more frequent/regular episodes I say go for it.

Thanks. New Mic should be arriving any day!

 

[Thales]

New Episode! Took a bit to get it out, but we got it now.

EPISODE 12 - SIP Reefing by The SKIMMATE PodCast with Rich and Terence

Shelter in Place tank updates, impending coral spawn, COVID and the hobby/industry, new products that make us squint, and Rich’s favorite piece of equipment. Sorry for the off-balance sound. We fixed it in the first 7-minutes, but just wanted to get this out as fast as possible - if anyone would...

anchor.fm

EPISODE 12 - SIP Reefing

Shelter in Place tank updates, impending coral spawn, COVID and the hobby/industry, new products that make us squint, and Rich’s favorite piece of equipment. Sorry for the off-balance sound. We fixed it in the first 7-minutes, but just wanted to get this out as fast as possible - if anyone would like to do the rest, have at it, let us know, and we would be super-grateful!
DONATE!
Skimmate Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/skimmate
TheRichRoss.com - https://therichross.com/
Neptune Systems - https://www.neptunesystems.com/
Real Reef - https://realreefrock.com/
Piscine Energetics - https://www.mysis.com/
RTN X - https://www.triton-reagents.de/en/treatments/rtn-x
Flatworm Stop - https://www.korallen-zucht.de/en/Salt-Water-Aquarium-Care/Problem-solving/Flatworm-Stop.html
Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Filter - http://www.marineland.com/products/...agnum-polishing-internal-canister-filter.aspx
http://www.marineland.com/products/...agnum-polishing-internal-canister-filter.aspx
Skimmate Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/skimmate

 

[Flippers4pups]

New Episode! Took a bit to get it out, but we got it now.

EPISODE 12 - SIP Reefing by The SKIMMATE PodCast with Rich and Terence

Shelter in Place tank updates, impending coral spawn, COVID and the hobby/industry, new products that make us squint, and Rich’s favorite piece of equipment. Sorry for the off-balance sound. We fixed it in the first 7-minutes, but just wanted to get this out as fast as possible - if anyone would...

anchor.fm

EPISODE 12 - SIP Reefing

Shelter in Place tank updates, impending coral spawn, COVID and the hobby/industry, new products that make us squint, and Rich’s favorite piece of equipment. Sorry for the off-balance sound. We fixed it in the first 7-minutes, but just wanted to get this out as fast as possible - if anyone would like to do the rest, have at it, let us know, and we would be super-grateful!
DONATE!
Skimmate Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/skimmate
TheRichRoss.com - https://therichross.com/
Neptune Systems - https://www.neptunesystems.com/
Real Reef - https://realreefrock.com/
Piscine Energetics - https://www.mysis.com/
RTN X - https://www.triton-reagents.de/en/treatments/rtn-x
Flatworm Stop - https://www.korallen-zucht.de/en/Salt-Water-Aquarium-Care/Problem-solving/Flatworm-Stop.html
Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Filter - http://www.marineland.com/products/...agnum-polishing-internal-canister-filter.aspx
http://www.marineland.com/products/...agnum-polishing-internal-canister-filter.aspx
Skimmate Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/skimmate

Good to hear. I'll listen tonight at work!

 

[User1]

Good to hear. I'll listen tonight at work!

Hey! Wait a minute. You are at work to work!!! Just kidding. Be safe.

@Thales thanks for the message. I'll be sure to check it out in the morning. Hope all is well with you and yours.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hey! Wait a minute. You are at work to work!!! Just kidding. Be safe.

@Thales thanks for the message. I'll be sure to check it out in the morning. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Shush, don't tell anyone! Lol