New LED Lighting Technology?

[balakoth]

Ive found a few articles online and some in a few magazines, that talk about Engineers over in the UK developing a new light source for our Reef Aquariums. Apparently LEDs have advanced so much that it allows for them to havre almost hte same output as, VHO MH and PC while emitting the correct color spectrum, producing little to no heat, and the bulbs lasting up to almost 20 years. Its been slated to public use from 2004 to 2006 and Ive seen no definitive proof or writting on the technology itself.

Does anyone have some good links or some hardline evidence that I could up on this new technology in the works?


Thanks in advance


Joe

[Doug1]

I hadnt heard that, but it sounds interesting. When I got into reefs around 97 there was someone working on light piping with fiber optic cable, but it seems to have fallen down on the way

[Sand Reef]

Here is an interesting link:

LED Lighting

[reefcam]

Here's a link on Champion Lighting:

http://www.championlighting.com/e/en...k=/index3.html

[Junkzoo]

Thanks, Veronica and reefcam,,looks promising..

[reefcam]

Hopefully Sanjay will be able to do a spectral analysis and let us know if the LED is worth the price. I'd spent $2000 to replace all my lights if it is equivalent and save on electricity and bulb replacement.

[Junkzoo]

Ditto reefcam,only a couple yrs into my current Mh/PC set up now,the LED stuff looks promising,,time will tell

NOTE TO ALL ADMINS: I am available for product testing /reviews!
LOL

[kevinO]

I've been looking into this as well. I've actually purchased 100 super white LED's 6000 mcd, rated at 8000 Kelvin. It's going to take about a month to get everything together. Then I'll start the evaluation. The total wattage will only be around 6~ish watts. The challenge is getting the lumen rating that is comparable to traditional VHO/MH lighting schemes. BTW it's really hard to find these LED's in large numbers! I'll take pics and candle readings and post them up as I go. Due to the way LED's produce light I'm curious if anything will live well under them.

[Minnreefer]

sounds great Kevin, please let us know

Jon

[Junkzoo]

Ditto Kevin, keep us posted!

[kevinO]

The biggest concern is the light spectrum they will output. A normal MH/VHO bulb's spectrum will kind of look like a mountain landscape. Where a white LED will look more like three sharp spikes for the most part. What I'm hoping for is that the water will serve as a MAJOR refraction/radiosity system breaking up the spectrum to something more "life" friendly.

First Note: Startup cost is VERY high. (4 times as much)

Though if the lumen output is correct what would you rather have: 250W MH bulb running a 10 hour photo period a day. Or, a 7W lighting system that creates very little heat, can be dimmed and, able to produce different Kelvin spectrums with the same bulbs (maybe).

[reefcam]

Keep us posted. As far as the startup cost, sure it'll be huge, but if you calculate how much electricity it cost to run your tank plus the bulb replacement cost per year, I think even $2000 will pay off within 2 years. I figured my operating cost per year is about $1200 plus $1000 in bulb replacement, so you can see why the incentive will be favorable. However, if the corals suffer, then nah, but maybe good for use as head light.

Actually, car makers are looking into these LED as replacements for headlights. I think Mercedez, BMW and Volvo are looking into these types of light.

[reefcam]

KevinO,

What type of LED are they or did you pick up?

[reefcam]

ok never mind. The link that Sand Reef posted has all the info I need to start on it. Looks interesting. Cost may not be too bad, if you build one. Maybe they could replace my VHO Super Actinic???

[Jimbo]

I looked at that article and wonder if it was in error as to the spec of the ultrabrite blue led. Does not seem that it would put out more mcd that the white led.

Check out this link for decent prices on led's
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...-74&type=store