LED Users: Longevity Report

[this is me]

Calling all you LED users. How long have you have your LED fixture over the tank. What issues have you ran into and does the intensity last?

 

[dantimdad]

My tank is basically new now.

I did, however, have a DIY led setup that was 8 years old before this tank. According to the lux meter I used, it lost about 7% over 8 years. Now, this was a different lux meter so that can't be taken as gospel.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Calling all you LED users. How long have you have your LED fixture over the tank. What issues have you ran into and does the intensity last?

Current fixture for 3 years. The led fixtures before that for 5 years. Being reasonably good fixtures and average cost, I had very few if any issues. Early black box leds that I had for 5 years did have rust issues which most have resolved by using aluminum and powder coating rather than paint. The Bridgelux leds did lose a couple percent of intensity per year (based on my PAR meter). My new Photons have Cree, OSRAM and other quality leds and I've not seen any loss in the 3 years I've been using them... but to be honest, I'm not paying much attention either. I don't see it as a serious issue, but that's just me.

 

[Coralreefer1]

LED’s are much different than VHO, T-5, power compacts and Halides in that they don’t lose much PAR over time, at least not to the extent that the others do where you need to replace them every 6 months to a year. They may look bright but when under a meter their PAR has dropped considersbly.
LED’s basically have a 80,000 hour or so usage life before they just don’t work anymore. Their is no intensity reduction or atleast it’s very minimal.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I have an original reef breeders photon that has been in use since 2013 and when setup I recorded the par via an Apogee MQ-200. I just set that light up on another tank, it was in a closet for 3-4 months, and measured the par on that tank. The results were pretty good compared to 6 years ago. Granted the only factor that is common is the distance from the surface and Par at the water line, since it is 2 different tanks, but it only had a 4% difference from new to old. (old was run 14 hours a day at 85% blue and 45% white) Granted it is the same par meter as back then and age might have something to do with that lol. Either way the par meter has been calibrated at the same location, using the method described in their guide, so it should be close to accurate. At least for comparisons sake.

I also have tested a few cheap-o black box lights after a year, and they showed about 1% drop in par. One light that sits over a frag tank at 100% for 13 hours has lost 8%.

You have me curious now and I think I will test my PrimeHD, a few Kessils I have and a Radion, since they have all been up over a year. (Yes I have to many lights and tanks, dont shame me, a good deal is a good deal......)

 

[happyhourhero]

I have been running mine since 2015 and don’t really notice any drop but I have not done a par measurement.

 

[justmee]

I had AI Sol Blues for close to 7+ years working at about max. setting 35% intensity, and it was still strong and bright. I just recently sold them cause I had the upgrade itch, and also wanted the new color spectrums (red, uv, green, etc.) on the new available LEDs. I would of kept the AIs if I didn't have an interested buyer. At the time of selling, the buyer and I tested at a 100% intensity, and it lit up his tank more than needed -- didn't test the pars though. Didn't have any problems with any of the lights.

I think LEDs is the way to go even though it's a bit more expensive, but it'll save energy and beats replacing bulbs...

 

[dantimdad]

I think LEDs is the way to go even though it's a bit more expensive, but it'll save energy and beats replacing bulbs...

This.

 

[theatrus]

LED’s are much different than VHO, T-5, power compacts and Halides in that they don’t lose much PAR over time, at least not to the extent that the others do where you need to replace them every 6 months to a year. They may look bright but when under a meter their PAR has dropped considersbly.
LED’s basically have a 80,000 hour or so usage life before they just don’t work anymore. Their is no intensity reduction or atleast it’s very minimal.

L80 (Lumen maintenance at 80k hours) says you would expect a 10% drop at that point. However the curve starts accelerating beyond that point.

https://www.lumileds.com/uploads/167/WP15-pdf

148k hours to L70.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I had the AI Sol. Not super happy with them, but than again they were 8 years old. A fan on one went out 1 year in service. Ok easy to replace.

Then some RB started to go. I had 3 soles. I didn’t realize how many were out until rec3ntly when I was adjusting them. All 3 had all RB out. I sent them in for repair and was told they were not repairable. I found it hard to believe they could not replace a LED.

But anyway, they offered me replacements at their cost. I was debating switching to the Radions but the deal on the Hydra 52hd was too good. I do like the hd’s. Tons of par and led colors. Was able to download some schedules right from AI. Even with the Hd at 50% they blew away the sols

I let you know how they do long term.