LED Recommendations
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=50705
Printed Date: July 14 2026 at 4:36pm
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Topic: LED Recommendations
Posted By: rfoote
Subject: LED Recommendations
Date Posted: August 13 2011 at 7:52pm
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I am starting to do some research into switching out my current T5 lighting for LED. I currently have 6x39w T5's on a 60g cube - 24 x 24 x 24 tank. The top of the aquarium is mostly SPS, with LPS and a few softies. I am looking for recommendations in brand and how much I'll need.
I'm not looking for a DIY project, but for something professional off the shelf. I like that AI Sol is made in the US, but really like the look and upgrade ability of the Maxspect Mazarra. If I go for the Maxspect how many LED Modules should I get for my tank? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Chad
Date Posted: August 15 2011 at 1:40am
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I would do at least 2 maxspects and if you really wanted to go overkill you could do 4 units and they can all run on just one controller. ------------- What?! You pooped in the refrigerator, and ate the entire wheel of cheese?! I'm not even mad.... That's actually amazing! |
Posted By: rufessor
Date Posted: October 14 2011 at 4:10pm
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I too am looking into LED lighting. I have a little bit of LED lighting now and so I have a fairly specific reason for suggesting this product... Have you looked at the Kessil pendants lie the A150W. I am not sure that I like the looks of the 50-100 bulb/point source LED lighting arrays in terms of the shimmer lines. Also, it requires a fairly tight canopy with lighting reasonably close to the surface. The newer led light cannons, are more like a 150-200 W MH light and the Kessil product uses a multi chip single source design, they put emmitters of different wavelength onto the same chip under a single lens so you get a decent spectrum from a point source. I do NOT own one of these. But, I am very seriously considering ordering two to put over my new 65 gallon rimless set up I am building, I would still have them in a suspended canopy with a more diffuse array of LED for moon lighting.... but I am thinking this might be the way to go for "daylight" lighting. Let me know what you think if you look into them. They are newer but I think the company has been around for a while in the growing industry or rumor has it.... Reviews that I have seen were great and build quality looks awesome. Price is pretty damn reasonable if at 250 a pop they do replace a 150-200 W MH source.... and last 15000+ hours. ------------- Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler -A.E. 57 Gallon RImless build in progress check the thread before if becomes boring and just full of nice pictures of colorful coral! |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: October 14 2011 at 8:51pm
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I'd highly encourage you to wait a couple months... then check out Ecoxotic. Best light, and bang for the buck, if you ask those led gurus. (trust me, I asked)
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 12:05pm
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It's my opinion that in a few more years LED lighting will be more perfected for the hobby. By then, fixtures will also be less expensive. LED's may save a bit in energy now, but spending money on LED's right now will not save any money in the long run. I'd wait until the prices have dropped another third. Then there will be a definite long term dollar savings.But that's just me, the odd hobbyist that makes money on the hobby.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Quickness
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 12:22pm
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I have to disagree with LED's not saving money. Just from what I have been reading and reasearcing T5's have to be or should be replaced once a year. And bulbs average anywhere from 25-30 each. Correct? So on average each year for just a six bulb fixture anywhere from 150 to 180 a year. So in two years or so you have paid for you LED fixture, plus the money that you have saved on your power bill. That also depends on how many led fixtures that yo get as well. IMO LED = long term savings on both bulbs and energy savings. ------------- Molon Labe Si vis pacem, para bellum |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 12:33pm
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What if you take into account the expensive LED fixture?
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: fishnfresh
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 12:44pm
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agree leds pay for themselves in about 4 yrs. The price you pay for bulbs for one, price for electric bill, if you have heat isssues it helps there. Every thing I have read and heard about led's people are pleased with them if you get a good brand. I have seen tanks with led's and growth is good also. So yes they save you money. And yes I would wait and get the ones adam mention or the new AI pheonix. Led's are turning point in the hobby.
I would save over $300 a yr just in bulbs if I went led. |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 1:01pm
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If you do the math in a very conservative way just the bulbs pay for the fixture. LEDs last 5 years at least and with me changing my 8 bulb T5 fixtures bulbs every year for five years at a conservative $20 per bulb (I wish that would be great) thats $160 a year times 5 years equals $800 just in bulbs not the power savings. I can get a very nice LED fixture for a bit cheaper than that (not much) so just in bulbs changes it has saved me money in the long run. Especially for the bulbs I actually use.( Not $20 each) So it pays for itself and more. ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 2:31pm
| In addition. One AI Sol pendant is rated for a 24x24 area. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 8:30pm
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Fantastic. Thanks for the input. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Snowsrfr
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 8:45pm
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You would actually be surprised at the affordability of the AI Sol. I know I was, especially considering how pricey LED's were when they first came out. Also, AI just dropped the price on their fixtures. While trying to illuminate a 6 foot tank may still be pricey, as you would need multiple fixtures to get total coverage, on the smaller cubes, I see it as a smart and affordable option. I'm actually going to put the AI Phoenix over my 29 Biocube, and if I like the results will move it, or buy a separate one for my 50 gallon cube (24x24x20).
If you haven't already, I'd look into the Ecotech Radion. I personally done much research, seen or heard much feedback, but what I have heard is very intriguing. ------------- "A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 10:03pm
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There are two companies I look at when it comes to LEDs: Ecoxotic and Ecotech. The rest lack serious features such as spectrum and other things.
I use Ecoxotic LEDs on my 24g Nano Cube and they are great! I am actually about to order more because I have been happy with what I have seen so far. |
Posted By: Snowsrfr
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 10:38pm
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Ryan, next time I'm in the SLC area, think I could come by and look at your LED's over the Nano Cube? Give me an idea if it's what I'm looking for over by Biocube. ------------- "A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: October 16 2011 at 10:43pm
Yeah, just hit me up when you are going to be around and we will see if everything works out! Tuesday days will be great from now on but most nights are tough. Just let me know. I will have about 90% of my lighting done on my next upgrade. I am in the middle of adding another Panorama PRO module and 3 stunner strips. The 3 stunners should be ordered early this week and the other Panorama might be ordered in about a month. |
Snowsrfr wrote:Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 10:18am
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Ryan is a LED fan? I had to read that twice lol. 1 ai for a 24x24 tank is not enough ill tell you that right now, unless you want to have only lps and softies. ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Laird
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 10:39am
I agree, and even then I don't think it would look good. I borrowed a friends AI sol blue and put it over my frag tank to see if I could get away with one and it wasnt even close to being enough. ------------- Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums. Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following. 50 Gallon rimless cube. 180 Gallons mixed reef paradise |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 8:26pm
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2 AI's over my 24x30 look really good I actually have to turn them down on intensity. What LEDs do you have Laird? ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |