LED lighting

[chainsaw5vent]

has anyone out there used LED lights? what kind of response did you get from them? is there a particular brand/kit or can you diy? i'm in the process of designing my next tank in the new house and considering mh, pc, led, etc.
the tank will eventually hold sps corals. and be in the neighborhood of 200 gallons.

 

[beaslbob]

I was suprised by this question. Actually don't have any experience with led but gut feel is that they do not put out any where near enough light.

 

[overanalyzer]

I read something a while back where LED lights were going to over-take MH lights because they are able to put out the ful spectrum needed, run cooler and last a lot longer .... of course putting a full panel of lights right above your tank would be awesome .... but I don't know if it would be economically cheaper to light your entire tank that way (it costs a lot more than MH).
I do know several people use the LED blue lights as moon lights and someone once had a thread on making a spotlight with one....

 

[beaslbob]

thanks over. learn something every day

 

[temple2101]

I've read some things about a company that is developing a complete fixture with LED's only. About a thousand of them in one fixture. If you're a watts/gallon person, 1000w is quite a bit. Not sure about the whole spectrum stuff, but a guy here wants me to try to make a complete light out of leds. I was going to use a reflector, drill holes to to hold the leds ... and then ... well, haven't figured out the circuit diagram, but I might try it if I have some spare time and money.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by temple2101
I've read some things about a company that is developing a complete fixture with LED's only. About a thousand of them in one fixture. If you're a watts/gallon person, 1000w is quite a bit. Not sure about the whole spectrum stuff, but a guy here wants me to try to make a complete light out of leds. I was going to use a reflector, drill holes to to hold the leds ... and then ... well, haven't figured out the circuit diagram, but I might try it if I have some spare time and money.
A while back on a vendor site for lighting they had a large article about this ... the PAR value was higher then MH - but doing it effectively and cheaply is the bar so far....

 

[temple2101]

Ya, I just talked to my friend ... he gave me some more info on the setup the company is developing (still can't remember the name). It is supposed to cost like $8000, have over a 1000 LEDs and you will be able to adjust the kelvin rating of the system, and i'm sure more bells and whistles. Sounds cool, and hard to believe, but you never know! Would there really be a market for $8000 lighting???? I hope that price estimate is way too high, they will never make it.

 

[oldyellingtang]

Originally posted by beaslbob
I was suprised by this question. Actually don't have any experience with led but gut feel is that they do not put out any where near enough light.
Really? I'm thinking that anything bright enough to see is going to be too bright except on nights where there is a full moon. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I've just never read anything about what intensities of light are hitting the reef during diffent periods of the moon cycle. Does anybody have a link on that? At least then you'd have an idea on how to duplicate it.