LED lower cost alternatives

BigSlimeSucker · 09-19-2008, 09:44 PM



Hi, y'all! I'm trying to upgrade the lighting on my Eclipse 7 tank with LEDs if possible. I really don't want to go the PC route as I know they will over heat this tank in the summer, (been there already!) and, a chiller is out of the question. I have narrowed a couple LED lamps that I think could work on this tank and would like some opinions on their ability to grow corals. Also, what kind of fixtures, power cords, ballasts, ect., would I have to have to run them? Am I correct in thinking these will run on a regular incandescent fixture? I would really appreciate any help at all on these to help me decide which way to go. This one has the higher lumens and uses the larger 1w LEDs, but, I think it is only 6000k. Will a 6000k lamp support photosynthisis in corals? I know 6500k or higher is recommended, but is this close enough, especially if supplimented with blue light? http://www.ledlight.com/detail.aspx?ID=166 This one offers 6500k white and also has a possible actinic lamp in the blue (420nm) (??) http://www.ledlight.com/detail.aspx?ID=145 Would either of these run on a standard incandescent lamp fixture? I was thinking if one of these would work, I would use it in a gooseneck clamp lamp I have and remove the canopy from the eclipse and just clamp the lamp to the back of the frame. Any pros/cons to this idea? I'm not planning to keep sps, just some lps and softies. Thanks in advance for any help! Kerry

aquawolf · 09-20-2008, 12:38 AM

I am not sure if those would provide you with enough light or not. Although you are looking at a 7 gallon tank so it might be worth a try. My fixtures has 3 1 watt blue leds for moonlights, and it is bright so I imagine 3 watt leds would be much brighter.

Hopefully someone will chime in who has experimented with these bulbs before.

In the meantime here is something for you to look at even though it is probably over kill for your tank.

http://www.247aquariumsupply.com/pro...roducts_id=143

BigSlimeSucker · 09-20-2008, 10:34 AM

Oh, be still my pounding heart!!!
But, my wallet is unable to cope...

Overkill? Never!

I may have to try one of the led lamps I listed there and see how they do. I would love the halide replacement lamp, but, it is still just a bit too high $$ for me! Thanks for the link! It is great that they are coming out with this alternative lighting now! The heat was the main reason I got out of the hobby 4 years ago!

aquawolf · 09-20-2008, 12:54 PM

You are welcome.

I am hoping that as the technology continues to improbe more manufacturers will start working on setups like this and the prices will drop drastically.

pipermacwills · 09-20-2008, 04:05 PM

Now, if I only win that lotto.......

aquawolf · 09-20-2008, 04:39 PM

Oh yeah, one thing I forgot to mention as well though. Be careful of what you see for sale out there right now.

When I met the guy at MACNA that had the demo setup for this bulb he had another manufacturers bulb right next to it. He actually had a sign on it that if you touched the housing it would burn you and people were still touching it an dfinding out how hot it actually was. The one I linked to had a very minimal amount of heat coming off the housing and no where near enough to burn you.

Jnicho · 09-20-2008, 06:39 PM

I think there are probably some better alternatives to the "screw-in" type replacements in your links...I have to agree with AW on this one...there are some good LED units and some not so good ones...on a 7G tank you could get away with some of the LED "strips" that are available I would think.

BigSlimeSucker · 09-20-2008, 09:16 PM

I've been looking at these as well, but, my question with these is will they illuminate the whole tank, or, just immediately under each diode? How many of these will I have to use to get the coverage I want? I have a little Rio LED lamp on my tank right now that has 10 of the small LED diodes on it and it only illuminates about a 6" diameter circle (looks pretty, though). I would really like to see what these Currant units look like in person to gage how well they will work. Of course, that is the same issue with any of these lighting options...will they do the job alone, or, must they be supplimented or used in multiples which would blow thier prices way out of my means. The Current LED strips...

http://www.current-usa.com/powerbrite.html

I have also been looking at some strips off ebay but they are the small LEDs and even the 12 diode strips use less than 2 watts, so, probably won't work alone. Might be good for filling in the gaps, though, but, my goal is a single unit that will do the job...in my price range, lol!

Thanks for the warning on the differant lamps, Aquawolf! I definately do not want one that will add excessive heat!

Jnicho, I actually like the idea of the screw-in type - if it would work, but, I am open to anything, strip, lamp, or whatever!

BigSlimeSucker · 09-20-2008, 09:44 PM

This is the ebay unit I was looking at, too. Don't think these will have enough punch to them, now, especially after buying the Rio LED lamp and seeing how limited it is.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=001

aquawolf · 09-20-2008, 10:30 PM

You know, the current ones might just work for you 7 gallon tank. They have individual reflectors and everything and are designed for aquarium use. I just did a quick check at bigalsonline and they sell the light for $63 and the linking module for $50 so that would be $113 plus shipping if you needed both. You could start with the light and then determine if you needed the linking module later, the only thing is you would be paying for shipping twice.

I am not sure about the EBay ones and would be a little worried. They look more like decorative lighting to me and not like they are meant to serve a real purpose.

BigSlimeSucker · 09-22-2008, 02:22 AM

I agree about the ebay lights being mostly decorative. I may go with the currant LED system and get just the white lights. I could use the ebay blues for actinics...dunno...just throwing differant ideas together. I have a guy in my local MAS that is building LED fixtures who has offered to make me one. I don't know what he's charging, yet, but if I can afford his unit, I may go that way. In the meantime, while waiting to see what he has, I will keep looking!

aquawolf · 09-22-2008, 07:26 AM

Sounds good. If you go with the DIY fixture he is making please post pictures of it as I would really like to see what he is up to.

Zombo · 09-22-2008, 07:41 AM

IMHO, the only rational way to go about doing LED lighting without draining your wallet dry is by DIY. At the risk of being banned, here's a link to my DIY Tank and Hood, using LEDs.

BigSlimeSucker · 09-25-2008, 12:26 AM

I'm afraid the DIY from my local reefer is still out of my budget, so, I am still shopping. Zombo, I really enjoyed your DIY thread! I wish I knew anything about working with electricity so I could try one, too! The extent of my knowledge of electronics is 'don't stick your finger in a live socket', lol, and I'm likely to do just that if I try to build something like your LED fixture!

crvz · 09-25-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombo

IMHO, the only rational way to go about doing LED lighting without draining your wallet dry is by DIY. At the risk of being banned, here's a link to my DIY Tank and Hood, using LEDs.

Where's the risk of being banned? Any link that's shared with the intent of education is more than welcome at TRT! Good DIY, Zombo!

LED lower cost alternatives

150 Watt 14000K Metal Halide Bulb Double-Ended

Current USA 72 inch Orbit Fixture

Current USA 30 inch Orbit Fixture

Zebra Moray Eel

Colt Coral

Pink Carnation Coral

Medusa Soft Coral