Curious about LEDs

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Haley'sfish Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: September 30 2009 Location: Orem, Ut Status: Offline Points: 290	Post Options Post Reply Quote Haley'sfish Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Curious about LEDs Posted: December 13 2009 at 4:17pm
	I was just curious about LED lighting. How does coral grow under it, does it support corals that require intense lighting? Thanks in advance!

MrNewbie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: October 07 2006 Location: Sandy, Utah Status: Offline Points: 648	Post Options Post Reply Quote MrNewbie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 13 2009 at 4:31pm
	I have performed experiments using 3 different families of leds and have found good success with growing everything, softies thru SPS. In fact my monti plate had better color and growth under my last LED panel than it did with 250W HQI
	Just a couple of glass boxes full of slimey things

Haley'sfish Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: September 30 2009 Location: Orem, Ut Status: Offline Points: 290	Post Options Post Reply Quote Haley'sfish Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 14 2009 at 6:47pm
	Thats sweet, so possibly the only set back is the price tag?

MrNewbie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: October 07 2006 Location: Sandy, Utah Status: Offline Points: 648	Post Options Post Reply Quote MrNewbie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 14 2009 at 11:10pm
	Right now initial cost is high but the lifespan and the lower energy use may be enough to offset the initial cost
	Just a couple of glass boxes full of slimey things

Adam Blundell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Presidency Joined: June 24 2002 Location: Davis County Status: Offline Points: 18526	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adam Blundell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 15 2009 at 8:46am
	There are people growing corals under leds. One of the big problems is that they don't penetrate deep tanks so most of the led lit tanks are quite shallow. But as for their ability to produce light and grow coral.... they can clearly do that. Adam
	Come to a meeting, they’re fun!

bfessler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: March 13 2009 Location: Lehi Status: Offline Points: 1708	Post Options Post Reply Quote bfessler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 15 2009 at 9:59am
	I think LED's can penetrate a deep tank the problem is that when the optics focus the light tight enough it creates a very small spot effect. The effect is more obvious the higher you get in the tank as the beam narrows. In order for the light to be evenly distributed you would have to place a lot of the High Power LED's very closely spaced. This causes problems with excess heat and cost. I think they are becoming more popular in Nano tanks that aren't to deep and are more square in shape. Nanotuners sells a retrofit for Nano's up to 30 gallons for about $300 which isn't that much more than a MH lid or clip on fixture. JBJ just came out with their first LED Nano system complete with Tank, Stand and Lighting for around $700 so they're becoming increasingly available and more affordable.
	Burt An equal opportunity reefer, I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping. [email protected]

Ryan Thompson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: April 11 2006 Location: Lehi Status: Offline Points: 3546	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ryan Thompson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 15 2009 at 12:16pm
	Just a quick observation, How many tanks out there really are that deep? I would say the average tank is between 18" to 24" from top to bottom. Rarely are tanks deeper than 30". LED's can penetrate up to 36" without too much of a problem. I talked to Ike all about that issue at the Reef Fest. LED's are the future of this hobby and the future of all lighting. They are now starting to build homes with all LED lighting. Think about that cost! But also think of how low your electricity bill will be and you will never have to replace a light bulb. You could even change the color of the light to set the mood for you and that special someone. The only issue I have seen with LED lights is the colors of the corals, especially SPS, seem to suffer. I have LED's over my pico growing mushrooms and zoos. The colors blew me away to begin with but have slowly declined. The one thing that is hard with LED's is to get the full spectrum of lighting. I would like to see some of these companies throw in a row of pink, to help pick up reds a little better. IMO the best lighting option is mix T5 and LED. Low electricity, GREAT colors, personalized look, low heat and best of all...low mercury! The one drawback is that you need to find a way to keep the LED's insulated from the heat. ANY heat will kills an LED's output. Just my 2 cents.

jdskidawg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Joined: December 09 2009 Location: Cottonwood Status: Offline Points: 251	Post Options Post Reply Quote jdskidawg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December 16 2009 at 12:00pm
	there is aTON of LED info here in the lighting forum http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/ Edited by jdskidawg - December 16 2009 at 12:02pm
	150 in the works 8g Biocube,minijet 606,par38 led and Intank media tower,koralia nano

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