LED versus MH Testing - By Steven Pro

[Rouselb]

I don't know anything about them. I have read some of the press releases, but have yet to see any in operation over an aquarium.

I have (6) of the Orphek fixtures over mixed reef. Par is around 300 at 28" deep and 200 between fixtures. The tank is 8 ft long and 3 ft wide. These lights are amazing so far, still waiting for the corals to acclimate fully.

 

[Redstag]

How is this Acan LED lighting fixture to compare to the AI LEDs? I think it's bigger size than the AI. The AI is compare the equivalent watt with 250w-400w metal halide. Is it using the Cree LEDs? It's also more expensive than AI LEDs.

No, the LED units I had were smaller (about 12" long by 8" wide) and modest wattage. I wanted to compare them to MH units of the same approximate wattage and size, that is why I chose the 70 watt DE MH.

 

[Just Clownin Around]

I believe the acan is stronger because of the optics. So you will get a narrower band of light. And they definitely are more pricey

 

[engineeronh2o]

I am confused about the 70 watt mh. If the tank is a 20 high, you could have easily fit a 250 watt mh over that. The LEDs are 3w regardless if you have a 20 gallon or a 300. The individual LEDs are the same brightness where you picked the absolute weakest mh. Seems to me you're comparing apples and oranges. How many people actually run 70 watt mh?

How many individual LEDs are there on the acan 103?

 

[Steven Pro]

How is this Acan LED lighting fixture to compare to the AI LEDs?

Sanjay tested the Eco-Lamps unit (which is pretty much the same as the Acan Lighting) and the Aqua Illumination Sol, but the analysis is in two separate articles.

Feature Article: Quantitative Comparison of Lighting Technologies: Metal Halide, T5 Fluorescent and LED — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

Feature Article: LED Lighting Tests: Aquaillumination, Blue Moon, Eco-Lamp KR-91, Ecoxotic Panorama — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

 

[Steven Pro]

I am confused about the 70 watt mh. If the tank is a 20 high, you could have easily fit a 250 watt mh over that. The LEDs are 3w regardless if you have a 20 gallon or a 300. The individual LEDs are the same brightness where you picked the absolute weakest mh. Seems to me you're comparing apples and oranges. How many people actually run 70 watt mh?

I was specifically trying to make an apples to apples comparison. Why compare a 250 watt MH to a 50 watt LED? That would be an apples to oranges comparison to me.

 

[Steven Pro]

How many individual LEDs are there on the acan 103?

The Acan Lighting A103AC-12B has 26 white (12,000 K) and 16 blue (460 nm) LEDs.

 

[ksc]

I was specifically trying to make an apples to apples comparison. Why compare a 250 watt MH to a 50 watt LED? That would be an apples to oranges comparison to me.

Actually, it is an Acan LED lighting fixture compared to a crappy, used, outdated, Chinese mh fixture test. Put that bulb in a quality reflector like Lumenmax or Lumenbrite and the mh par values will probably triple. Basically an apples to lemons comparison...

 

[myzislow]

honestly who runs a 70w MH these days??? Definitely no one running an SPS dominated system(I'm sure there are exceptions...but generally speaking).

 

[engineeronh2o]

Well that's 42 LEDs that is 3 watts each.

You compare it to something no one uses when it should be compared to all 24 inch fixtures in the same price range. I can get a 250 mh Fixture with 2x24 T5 supplement for the same price.

 

[engineeronh2o]

edit:
TAKE A CHILL PILL DUDE!!!!!
THANKS TL.

 

[Troylee]

Well if the one 103 barely hangs with a 70watt mh I would love to see there claim here stand up to what they say!!!!!



The A102AC is the world’s most powerful and efficient LED aquarium lighting solution available on the market today - more powerful than 250w metal halides, and using only 50 watts of electricity (per foot). The A102AC is ideal for meeting the needs of the most demanding and advanced hobbyists and is the most efficient and powerful light to grow SPS corals (see our PAR comparison chart). Suitable for deeper tanks, the the A102AC uses more focused lenses on the LEDs to allow maximum penetration. The unique design of the A102AC sets it apart from any other aquarium LED fixture on the market, and will really make your tank a "showstopper"! With LED bulb life expectancy of 50,000 hours (or 5+ years) and its attractive, durable design, the A102AC is the ultimate LED aquarium lighting solution.

 

[Troylee]

Here is there claims on the unit you tested did it Live up to those numbers in your opinion?????

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Let's not get hostile. I am sorry some of you hate the results, but you can disagree and comment without coming across as being rude. Thank you.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I believe the acan is stronger because of the optics. So you will get a narrower band of light...

Nope...

AI use 40 degree optics (older Gen2) or a combination of 40 and 70 degree optics on the latest SOL Blue. The photos shows the PAR output of 2, 70W AIs, (I was in the process of upgrading the SOL White, to SOL Blues) running over my tank.

 

[Troylee]

agreed rev being rude is not the way to go about it here..... i like the idea of the test my self and glad Steven took the time to do a comparison.... i know exactly what he's saying and why he did it the way he did... i would love to see the 103 against a 250w mh myself they claim it's all that plus a bag of chips...hmmmmm

Let's not get hostile. I am sorry some of you hate the results, but you can disagree and comment without coming across as being rude. Thank you.

 

[Steven Pro]

Well that's 42 LEDs that is 3 watts each.

The LED's are 1 watt each, not 3.

You compare it to something no one uses when it should be compared to all 24 inch fixtures in the same price range. I can get a 250 mh Fixture with 2x24 T5 supplement for the same price.

I was interested in comparing similar wattage and size lighting methods. Price was not a factor for me tests.

 

[Troylee]

Nope...

AI use 40 degree optics (older Gen2) or a combination of 40 and 70 degree optics on the latest SOL Blue. The photos shows the PAR output of 2, 70W AIs, (I was in the process of upgrading the SOL White, to SOL Blues) running over my tank.

Have you tried mounting those fixtures at like a 20* angle to get the beams of light to cross paths and maybe give your tank a more natural look or even color???? i think it would work great honestly...;)

 

[Steven Pro]

Well if the one 103 barely hangs with a 70watt mh I would love to see there claim here stand up to what they say!!!!!

The A102AC is the world’s most powerful and efficient LED aquarium lighting solution available on the market today - more powerful than 250w metal halides, and using only 50 watts of electricity (per foot). The A102AC is ideal for meeting the needs of the most demanding and advanced hobbyists and is the most efficient and powerful light to grow SPS corals (see our PAR comparison chart). Suitable for deeper tanks, the the A102AC uses more focused lenses on the LEDs to allow maximum penetration. The unique design of the A102AC sets it apart from any other aquarium LED fixture on the market, and will really make your tank a "showstopper"! With LED bulb life expectancy of 50,000 hours (or 5+ years) and its attractive, durable design, the A102AC is the ultimate LED aquarium lighting solution.

My data showed that the 103 provided far more PAR than the MH while the 101 was slightly less bright than the MH. I did not test any 102 model.

 

[Steven Pro]

Here is there claims on the unit you tested did it Live up to those numbers in your opinion?????

I would have to double check with Acan Lighting, but my guess is those PAR numbers are through air. Sanjay does all his testing through air and those appear to be the same.