Lights Lights Lights

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e-roc

Guest
Well here is the problem. I have been doing saltwater tanks for about 5 years now and Ive only ever done FOWLR.
I would like to change that but i know i need to upgrade my lights 1st. I have been looking at MH and LEDs.
I would much rather go with LEDs. The problem is i know nothing about them. I have built everything for my tank so far. So a DIY project is not out of sight for me.
So basically what I'm asking is. I have a 120 gallon tank and i would very much so like more information on LEDs.
So please any help would be great. I also will offer up any information on my tank that will help.
Thanks
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
There are a few people that have done DIY LED setups.
I will warn you of this:
Many people who went LED are switching back due to loos of color and/or bleaching of the corals, especially their SPS. Definitely something to look into. In my honest opinion. LED's are still a really new technology when it comes to lighting our reefs and they haven't worked out all the kinks. If you're new to corals, I'd stick with the T5 or MH options. They are more tried and true and more people have experience with them to guide you in the best direction. I personally have bought corals that were kept under LED's and it's sooo hard to acclimate them to anything else, which is another thing to consider. If your LFS is dealing with LED's, you'll be a little better off, but I'd still go MH or T5.
 
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e-roc

Guest
See i live in the state of Ohio. The only local saltwater store is a small privately owned store. They always push the newest things. I know going MH means money as they are not cheap and nor are chillers. I have t5s now 4 of them set up in two hoods but i was told that is not really enough. I have had trouble keeping anemones in the past and have gave up on them. Im just tired of the normal tank.
Once again any help or pointers on lights would be great
Thanks
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Since you already have the T5's, I'd just add more. 4 won't cut it in your size tank, you're going to need to at least double that.
If you went MH's. You could find good pendents and then use your T5's as supplemental lighting or for actinics and to simulate dawn and dusk. I run 2 250 watt HQI's and 1 150 watt HQI on my 155G along with 4 T5 actinic bulbs.
you don't necessarily need a chiller if you use MH's. I have never ran a chiller. In the summer, I have the AC on, even just low while I'm not home and a fan that blows across the sump for really hot days and that keeps the tank at an acceptable temperature.
How long, wide and deep is your tank?
What is your goal? Do you want anemones, SPS, LPS, all types of corals?
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
Go LEDs, if its what you want to do. I have done plenty of research on them and they seem to be doing just fine. There are plenty of sites out there that have lots of info on them as well as comparisons setup. If you do choose LEDs, just be sure to include LEDs of other colors as well as the whites and blues. If your tank is 6 feet long, which I think it is, it shouldnt be hard to put together a few LED bars and have a good mix of colors. I cant post links to other websites, but if you would like more info, PM me and I can point you in the right direction.
Oh yea, almost forgot
OH!
 
E

e-roc

Guest
Well the reason i wanted to go with LEDs is simply the size. Yes my tank is 6 foot long. I wanted to get away from all the bulk i have a very nice hard wood stand and top. The bulky hoods make it look not so nice. I dont plan to ever do corals in this tank. Just not what i want for it. I would much rather go with a few nice bubble tips. I have a pair of clowns that would look very nice in one.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
well if your not going to do corals, and you are going to have anemones, you might want to check out the T5HO lights. Some kind of 6 or 8 bulb combination should be enough light for the anemone and not break the bank. I would do LEDs or MHs if you were going to do corals.
 
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e-roc

Guest
Money is really the the concern. I really wanted to try out LEDs.
They look like there going to be about 500-700 bucks for my tank.
What i dont know about is the different colors that need to be put into
them .
Thanks
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
There is a lot of information about LEDs and DIY-LEDs from other forums out there. Reading through would definitely help you out.
As far as the technology is concerned, for most aquarium applications it's there. LEDs are evolving so fast that there is a newer, better one released every couple of months. People have also started to venture away from a 50/50 split of blues and whites, which was definitely a contributor to coloration problems.
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Okay, on to my speal.
I did a DIY LED build for my pico, 5 royal blue and 3 Cool white.
I have excellent color in every single individual coral in my tank, from tubs blue zoos, green acros, blue, orange and black acans, gray and yellow chalices. Blue and green chalices. I mean everything.
The really big issues with LEDs right now is getting the right spectrum.
Also, most people do 2 individual drivers, 1 for blues, and 1 for white, each dimmable, easy to adjust color to your liking and easy to acclimate corals.
Send me a message about any info you need. I would like to think I know most of everything to know about DIY LEDs.
I just haven't figured out spectrum yet.
 
E

e-roc

Guest
Well here is the real truth. I have only ever played with FOWLR tanks and i want to move to anemones.
I would also like to try a few not many maybe only one to start of the easier corals. The things I dont know
are what LEDs are needed to do this. I've never gotten into to light that heavy. I just buy what the pet store
told me would work.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/Marineland-Reef-Capable-LED-Light-24quot--36quot_p_5066.html
I see these and think cool. Much lower cost then i have seen before. I would need two sets of them but that is
all i know. Is that enough.
then there is the question what do i do with my old ones. Maybe start a new tank and stick my pair of clowns
in there??????????

Thanks again
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
I don't think those would work. They use 1W LEDs that don't have the penetration that 3W LEDs do. do you have a canopy?
 
E

e-roc

Guest
So what would be needed to do anemones. I have been pressured by family to make my tank PRETTIER.

So i might be looking into some easier corals to do as well.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
Fairly certain you can do anemones under T5s. I know you can do them under MHs. I havent seen anything about them under LEDs but I would imagine that it could be done.
 
E

e-roc

Guest
Well the thing with LEDs is everybody says it can be done.
I just dont know of any place that has them.
Thanks
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Rapidled.com has some w/ drivers for very reasonably.
W/ a hood you can get away w/ 3 sets of LEDs, each with own heatsink and everything.
End up being 6 drivers, running 12 LEDs each.
 
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e-roc

Guest
Once again i don't know much about this stuff.
Is that 12 LEDs total that seems a bit shy of what i have seen on others
Either way i will take a look
Thanks
 
1snapple

1snapple

Active Member
Okay, 6 drivers running 12 3W LEDs each is 72 3W LEDs. Thats 216W of LEDs.
6x12x3=216. 216W, each heatsink will run 12 blue and 12 white LEDs.
 
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