thinking about switching too led's

[harleymike]

I dont know much at all about the led world.
Trying too keep it simple, and order a led fixture in the future. Just starting too research it now.
Found this one, anyone know much about these.
http://www.goreef.com/Aqua-Illumination-Hydra-LED.html

thanks for any help
mike

 

[nexusnight]

These are awesome. I have five units and love em so far. Check my 140 build thread and frag tank build. THeres some pics there

Sent from my GT-I9100M using Tapatalk 2

 

[harleymike]

they are reasonably priced also. Let me know as you get your tank set up, how they work out.
thanks mike

 

[AdamS]

Why do you want to switch?

 

[dale]

i switched about 6 weeks or so ago and everything is doing great... my 35 led diy kit with controller would have cost about $250. (if i didnt win most of it).. you could prob do a cree 42 led kit for under $400 im guessin...
the ones you picked look pretty sweet..

 

[harleymike]

I like the look of the corals under the led lights. I can adjust the differant colours and intensity.
They have a wireless controller with lots of options.
There is the cost of replacing bulbs in the t5's, and also less heat and hydro with the led's.
Leds are more costly in the begining,but will pay for themselves over time.
Lots of guys seem to be doing very well with the led's.
Im due too buy new bulbs in a couple months. My fixture is a 8 bulb aquaticlife.
Thats about 200 bucks for new bulbs.
I will sell the fixture, say 200 bucks, and save the other 200 on bulbs. Thats 400 towards the leds right off the start.

 

[AdamS]

I run full LEDs and I am starting to have success. Be careful not to jump into a cheap fixture cause you will likely have problems. Also LEDs are very directional, so make sure whatever you get has good coverage. If you are ever in the london area you are welcome to see my setup.

 

[curiousphil]

The Hydra units seem really cool.

 

[Duke]

The Hydra units seem really cool.

agree, and with the new "ai director" coming out very shortly there isnt even a need for the wireless controller, any phone, tablet, computer or device with a web browser will do loads more than any controller can. all for the same price as the wireless controller.

are you thinking of running 3 or 4 hydras over your tank mike?

 

[Duke]

Set Up/Programming: AI Director Part.2

 

[harleymike]

Not sure how many i need. I thoaugh two would do it. But looks like 3 maybe better.
What do you think I need.

 

[Duke]

Not sure how many i need. I thoaugh two would do it. But looks like 3 maybe better.
What do you think I need.

thats a tough one.. you could be ok with two and u could always add a third and turn them all down a bit later if you really wanted to.

i think 2 is ok if you can get them high enough above the tank.

 

[curiousphil]

How wide is your tank??  I want to say 4 ft.  If longer then 4 then I would say 3 units.

 

[harleymike]

4 feet wide.
wow, that link too utube you posted duke is cool. I think these might be for me.
Looks pretty cool. There hoping too connect it too real time weather, so your tank would mimic the weather outside. What will they think of next..LOL

 

[nexusnight]

four foot tank id try two if ur not sps dominant but three if so. I cant wait for director it looks sweet. have you seen the hydra 52? Its crazy lol. also comming in at 599 and no release date yet. the reg hydras i think ud be happy with.

 

[DerekL]

I have a 48" 90 gallon and I have the Orphek Atlantik. It covers my whole tank really well. Look into them. I choose it over the AI's. the Atlantik was designed for deep tanks but I got the wide model with 90 degree optics. All my sps are growing faster then I ever seen under T5's. My clams are also lovin the light