Led VS, MH/VHO/HO/PC

[chevyrulzs2010]

So i have seen some led lights out there now and have said something in posts before and had people tell me that LEDs are worthless. Is this true? Are leds good or bad? Anyone really know?
I like LED's because they use so little power and dont burn out (often). They tend to be the "greener" choice to go with. But i dont know enough about aquarium lighting to know if they are good or not.
I start this topic just to get opinions, i dont mean to start a big fight or anything. Just trying to get a little education.

 

[taznut]

i think led's are only used for night lighting... unless there are some that i havent seen there is no way they are good enough for any type of corals...

 

[reefraff]

LED's are getting there but the price is still too inflated. I would wait at least another year. There are enough systems out there now that real world long term results should start trickling in. The were already quality issues with PFO's LED units and with PFO being sued into oblivion it's going to leave a few questions unanswered as far as quality goes. Aqua Illumination is now probably going to be the big dog in the LED neighborhood.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by reefraff
http:///forum/post/2996594
LED's are getting there but the price is still too inflated. I would wait at least another year. There are enough systems out there now that real world long term results should start trickling in. The were already quality issues with PFO's LED units and with PFO being sued into oblivion it's going to leave a few questions unanswered as far as quality goes. Aqua Illumination is now probably going to be the big dog in the LED neighborhood.
Totally agree.
LED's will be phenomenal, but they are not there yet. Give it 1-2 years and you will be able to get an excellent and affordable LED system.
For now, halides, coupled with PC/VHO/T-5 is still the way to go to get the best growth and color.

 

[jackri]

I agree that LED's will get there and then the price will come down. You can always help the cause by buying early and expensive to get it going for the rest of us

 

[chevyrulzs2010]

Wow, maybe i should edit the poll, add maybe some day, and i dont know as options.
Lol, i do think leds make great moon lighting. I have seen tanks with them for moon lighting. My only question is will LEDs be able to deliver the UV rays that plants need to grow. I mean UV rays are what cause sun burn right? and i dont think i can get a sun burn or tan from led lights .

 

[reefraff]

Originally Posted by chevyrulzs2010
http:///forum/post/2996638
Wow, maybe i should edit the poll, add maybe some day, and i dont know as options.
Lol, i do think leds make great moon lighting. I have seen tanks with them for moon lighting. My only question is will LEDs be able to deliver the UV rays that plants need to grow. I mean UV rays are what cause sun burn right? and i dont think i can get a sun burn or tan from led lights .

Plants don't really need UV to grow. In fact too much will kill things. Ever hear of a UV sterilizer?
From a hobbyist standpoint a little UV is good because it causes fluorescence in certain colors of some corals. They can make LED's that have some UV output.

 

[natclanwy]

There are a few manufacturers out there that have fixtures capable of lighting an SPS reef tank but the price is about $2500-$3000. I agree in a couple more years they may be an economical choice but right now they are just too expensive.

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2996982
There are a few manufacturers out there that have fixtures capable of lighting an SPS reef tank but the price is about $2500-$3000. I agree in a couple more years they may be an economical choice but right now they are just too expensive.
I kind of think that the suing of PFO into bankruptcy begs the question of who the plaintiff (can't remember the name) will go after next. The whole suit was about the plaintiff's ownership of a broad patent over the whole concept of lighting fish tanks with LEDs... if I were ANY company making LED lighting systems for fish tanks, I'd be worried right now.
Consequently, as a consumer, I'd be worried about the long term supportability of any system I'd buy.
The thing is that high power LEDs last a long time, but not forever. They do need replacement every so often. Unlike halides, where you can buy any lamp of the same spec and screw it into the fixture, you HAVE to buy replacement LED modules from the manufacturer. If that manufacturer is not in business when the time comes....

 

[culp]

that is one thing that i want LED fixture making company to change about their fixtures.

 

[chevyrulzs2010]

The last 2 posts make a valid point. Altho you may not see it. Look at christmas lights. The little ones. They are similar to s led becasue they have the 2 prongs that provide the power. In theroy you could make leds this way. Have led lights that plug in like the little christmas tree lights for replacement.
*Thinks to himself*
Hmm .... TO THE DRAWING BOARD!!!!!
I could make some money off the idea that popped into my head.

 

[natclanwy]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/2997194
I kind of think that the suing of PFO into bankruptcy begs the question of who the plaintiff (can't remember the name) will go after next. The whole suit was about the plaintiff's ownership of a broad patent over the whole concept of lighting fish tanks with LEDs... if I were ANY company making LED lighting systems for fish tanks, I'd be worried right now.
Consequently, as a consumer, I'd be worried about the long term supportability of any system I'd buy.
The thing is that high power LEDs last a long time, but not forever. They do need replacement every so often. Unlike halides, where you can buy any lamp of the same spec and screw it into the fixture, you HAVE to buy replacement LED modules from the manufacturer. If that manufacturer is not in business when the time comes....

I forgot about that, the plantiff is Oribitec and according to their website they are planning on selling a LED light fixture of their own for aquarium use. Don't know if they will actually do it or if this is just PR statement to cover there arse from bad publicity.

 

[culp]

Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2997317
I forgot about that, the plantiff is Oribitec and according to their website they are planning on selling a LED light fixture of their own for aquarium use. Don't know if they will actually do it or if this is just PR statement to cover there arse from bad publicity.
i wouldn't care how good their light could be i would never buy a light made by them