LED VS Metal Halide Lighting Experiment

[gregr]

Hi all-
We'd like to invite you to take a look at an experiment we're doing with the 800g display tank at the store. Half of the tank is lit by metal halides and half by LED's. We've created this webpage to explain the set up and chronicle the experiment- take a look!

 

[Diamondsinthereef]

Is that heteractis magnifica for sale. That thing is unreal. Awesome stuff.

 

[secretreefer]

I KNOW! that thing looks beautiful and very very healthy!

 

[gregr]

Sorry not for sale. That thing is so awesome...

 

[Stpatrick]

Nice. I am tagging along on this one.

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

I look forward to how things go. Tagging too.

 

[reefingsaw]

Would have been way cool if it had like almost identical rocks on each side with the same corals at almost the same placement not saying it isn't tight now.

 

[Onedesign1]

great that someone can do this experiment. I know how its going to turn out but nice to show this side by side comparison and that LEDs are fine.

 

[KJAG]

great that someone can do this experiment. I know how its going to turn out but nice to show this side by side comparison and that LEDs are fine.

How is it going to turn out?

 

[chestnud]

How is it going to turn out?

Successful, but the experiment is good for comparison purposes. :bigsmile:

 

[Onedesign1]

Successful, but the experiment is good for comparison purposes. :bigsmile:

100% Agree

 

[gregr]

You guys mean successful in that the corals will do as well under the LED's as they do under metal halides?
That's what I'm hoping because I'm about to get LED's for my home tank.

 

[Onedesign1]

You guys mean successful in that the corals will do as well under the LED's as they do under metal halides?
That's what I'm hoping because I'm about to get LED's for my home tank.

Yes

 

[chestnud]

You guys mean successful in that the corals will do as well under the LED's as they do under metal halides?
That's what I'm hoping because I'm about to get LED's for my home tank.

Yes. We have 3 all LED lit reef tanks at the store (sunbrite, ecotech, and AI) All replaced Halides and we have been happy with all of them. I have a set of radions over a tank at home and all corals LPS or SPS are happy and very bright.

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

You guys mean successful in that the corals will do as well under the LED's as they do under metal halides?
That's what I'm hoping because I'm about to get LED's for my home tank.

My experience with LED's is only with AI's. Yes, they will grow corals and with good color but be prepared to buy more units than they claim you will need. These lights will be no means cover a 2'x2' area in a 24" deep tank. (By cover I mean light sufficient to grow corals)

 

[chestnud]

The AIs do not cover as much as the Radions. The radions cover as well 4" away from the water (will cover a 2x2 cube @ 10") as an AI 12" above the tank (AI will cover 2' in width but not in depth.)

My experience with LED's is only with AI's. Yes, they will grow corals and with good color but be prepared to buy more units than they claim you will need. These lights will be no means cover a 2'x2' area in a 24" deep tank. (By cover I mean light sufficient to grow corals)

 

[bluwinghawk]

will you be including building and running cost too?

 

[VividGreg]

Thanks for the info folks- great to hear.
bluwinghawk-- not sure what Dave has in mind in that regard. Will ask.

 

[Nuocmam]

Following the experiment. Hope to see tons of pics.

 

[mcfadden]

it will be interesting to follow and see how this turns out.