LED lighting

**Cliff** · 09-10-2011, 11:27 PM

Actually, I want to up-grade for three reasons:

1) The blues in a good quality LED fixture are AMAZING. They bring out colors in corals like no other lighting can

2) I want to biuld a canopy for my tank, so I will have to change my lighting or I will have issues with heat inside the canopy from my current T5HO fixture.

3) They consum a lot less power and produce a lot less heat than all other lighting options for a reef tank

**dbosman** · 09-11-2011, 03:04 AM

[QUOTE=Cliff
...3 watt bulbs, and with descent reflectors
[/QUOTE]

I just want to clear up one detail. LEDs don't need reflectors. The light leaves the emitter at about 120 degree angle. It doesn't radiate from the sides of the emitter. Any light coming out the sides is incidental scattering from the emitter material.
Lenses are used to focus the light into a tighter cone. They are typically shaped like a flashlight reflector and some are silver, but the principle use is to narrow the cone of light.

**Cliff** · 09-11-2011, 04:21 AM

Your are correct, I used the wrong term. I should have stated lenses. Some old habits die hard I guess. I really should not use the term "bulb" as LEDs truly are not a light bulb.

I have read some on-line reviews were some of the earlier LED models had lenses which would make a very narrow light pattern almost giving the effect of a circle of light on the bottom of the tank. The lense was too focused in those cases. Better quality lenses do not do that, which is what I am looking for.

**Cliff** · 09-25-2011, 12:29 AM

Today I got to see the SOL model of LEDs made by Aqua Illuminations. They got some in the SW LFS here in town and they were setting up one of the lighting sections showing the new owner how to program and set them up. LEDs really seam to bring out colors in corals better than T5 or MH. Just my observation tho

I’m really glad I decided to take the plunge and get these LEDS. The SW LFS ordered them in for me this past week, but the mounting kits and controller that I wanted are on backorder. Hopefully I’ll have them within a month or two

**genocidex** · 09-25-2011, 12:46 AM

HOW DID I MISS A THREAD ABOUT LEDS !!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

glad you are getting them in tho, you must put up some pics when everything is set up XD

**Cliff** · 09-25-2011, 12:51 AM

You're slipping genocidex

I also did take you advise and look into DYI LEDs but I did not trust myself when it came to lining up the lenses for a uniform lighting pattern. That and I travel too much for work so I did not think I would have the extra time to do it.

**genocidex** · 09-25-2011, 12:59 AM

yeah not every one has the time to put into led systems :P but at least your taking the steps into leds.
im still confuggled with leds and heat.... let me know if and how much heat those things put out :P.

**Cliff** · 09-25-2011, 01:04 AM

You and me both

The one I that I saw demo’d today was on for about ½ hour and it did not feel warm to me at all. But the fixture has a large heatsink on it. From talking with current owners of earlier versions of this fixture, they stated the do get warm but the end of the day but not nearly as hot as T5s.

I’ll see when I have mine up and running.

**frefal13** · 09-25-2011, 02:00 AM

I was at an LFS today picking up some coral

and one of their tanks had LEDs so being curious I stuck my hand right underneath them to feel how hot they were and I couldn't feel anything at all! I don't think they were turned up all the way though cause they didn't look super bright but I've also never seen any other LED fixtures in person so they could have been. But the point is I didn't feel the heat from them at all. I know my T5HOs get pretty hot after being on for not so long so it is a HUGE difference

**labnjab** · 09-25-2011, 10:33 PM

We've had our leds on the tank a few days now, and even after 12 hours of running the fixtures are no more then 10 degrees warmer then room temperature. No more burnt arms from bumping a metal halide for me, lol. I think the fixtures stay cool due to their large heatsink and the 3 3inch fans in each fixture

I've also noticed a great difference in tank temp. We use to have 3 250 watt metal halides on the system and the tank stayed 80-81, even though the t-stat is set at 78.5 and a high velocity fan running all the time. Now with 3 led fixtures its stays right at 78.5, all day long. Our fan only runs a few minuets here or there, so our evaporation is down to maybe a gallon a day, when we use to have 4-5 gallons a day evaporation