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Aquarist Forums => Saltwater General Discussions => Ask Albert Thiel! => Topic started by: tophoo on December 09, 2013, 06:58:33 PM

Title: Looking for LED ideas
Post by: tophoo on December 09, 2013, 06:58:33 PM
Hi,

I'm looking to buy LED lights for my 20g tall reef tank that hold a couple SPS and mostly LPS and softies.  What would you say is the most economical fixture/idea I can go with?

Thanks
Title: Re: Looking for LED ideas
Post by: albertthiel on December 10, 2013, 11:37:16 AM
Quote from: tophoo on December 09, 2013, 06:58:33 PM
Hi,

I'm looking to buy LED lights for my 20g tall reef tank that hold a couple SPS and mostly LPS and softies.  What would you say is the most economical fixture/idea I can go with?

Thanks

Well it is hard to make a recommendation as there are so many different brands on the market right now and pricing is going to vary a great deal.

You may want to look at this listing of a good number that are available :

http://aquariumsupplies.marinedepot.com/ppc/search?w=aquarium%20led%20lighting&gclid=CNe0o9yKprsCFSRk7AodNwQA9g

But there are still more ...   Personally I use a Kessil A360W over a similar aquarium.

Albert
Title: Re: Looking for LED ideas
Post by: missavgp on December 10, 2013, 08:41:36 PM
I haven't tried the whole setup, just 3W LEDs JB welded to a chunk of aluminum, but http://www.LEDGroupBuy.com (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com) has some great modular DIY stuff. The Lumia 5.1 eliminates a lot of the soldering or tiny jumper wires. It might be overkill for your tank, but probably not if you've got a tall.

If you're going DIY with individual or 3 LED stars, I recommend going for the higher end LEDs - if you check the specs in detail you end up with more light/watt, roughly equivalent light/$.

(This is Kerri's crazy tinkerer husband)
Title: Re: Looking for LED ideas
Post by: albertthiel on December 11, 2013, 07:29:08 AM
Quote from: missavgp on December 10, 2013, 08:41:36 PM
I haven't tried the whole setup, just 3W LEDs JB welded to a chunk of aluminum, but http://www.LEDGroupBuy.com (http://www.ledgroupbuy.com) has some great modular DIY stuff. The Lumia 5.1 eliminates a lot of the soldering or tiny jumper wires. It might be overkill for your tank, but probably not if you've got a tall.

If you're going DIY with individual or 3 LED stars, I recommend going for the higher end LEDs - if you check the specs in detail you end up with more light/watt, roughly equivalent light/$.

(This is Kerri's crazy tinkerer husband)

And you could even work on some DIY projects with 5 watt LED's now ... I have seen good ones around from CREE ...

Powerful !