BeanAnimal
02/05/2004, 10:23 PM
Don't want to stir up a war...but it's time to get some real answers to this long lived debate.
Does anybody feel that it is possible to use LEDS as a direct replacement for all other reef lighting (cost not withstanding) I mean given the available spectrum of LEDS can they be used to nourish a reef by themselves? I can't see why not!
I would like to limit this thread to factual data, and not feelings or personal opinions about each type of lighting. In this way I hope to derive usefull information so that myself and other can make an informed opinion based on fact and nothing else. I have read thousands of LED and MH and PC and VHO posts, threads and websites. I have talked to people on the phone etc....its hard to put it all together with so many stuanch supporters of each technology.
My aim is to put togehter an end all, beat all FAQ about this topic.
We can break this down into a few sub groups to make the information flow understandable and comparable.
For arguements sake lets establish a light level suitable for a typical 70 gallon reef. Nothing super exotic or cutting edge. Just the average reef that the average aquarist would set up. This will give us a baseline for comparison.
Once established we can start gathering information in the following order!
SPECTRUM NEEDED
This will define the wavelengths and number of lumens needed at each wavelength to achieve suitable results over the average system mentioned above.
COST TO INSTALL
This would be the fixed cost of aquiring ALL of the needed parts for an operable system.
COST TO OPERATE
This is the total cost per DAY to run said lights. (not the wattage of the lamps, but the total current draw of the lamps and ballast! or power supply). Useful numbers would be in kWh. We all pay a different killowat hour rate.
COST TO MAINTAIN
This is the total cost to maintain the said system. It should be broken down into a common unit that is comparable.
AVG Bulb life (months) X number of bulbs X Cost per bulb
HEAT RADIATON PATTERN
The general pattern in which heat is radiated from the said technology.
GENERAL PROS
Obvious.
GENERAL CONS
obvious.
With the above information it should be pretty easy for any aquarist to pick (or mix and match) tecnologies to get the desired effect and price range.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
P.S. I am posting this in the DIY thread simply because most of the "data' is of a DIYers nature. Lumens, Watts etc.
Does anybody feel that it is possible to use LEDS as a direct replacement for all other reef lighting (cost not withstanding) I mean given the available spectrum of LEDS can they be used to nourish a reef by themselves? I can't see why not!
I would like to limit this thread to factual data, and not feelings or personal opinions about each type of lighting. In this way I hope to derive usefull information so that myself and other can make an informed opinion based on fact and nothing else. I have read thousands of LED and MH and PC and VHO posts, threads and websites. I have talked to people on the phone etc....its hard to put it all together with so many stuanch supporters of each technology.
My aim is to put togehter an end all, beat all FAQ about this topic.
We can break this down into a few sub groups to make the information flow understandable and comparable.
For arguements sake lets establish a light level suitable for a typical 70 gallon reef. Nothing super exotic or cutting edge. Just the average reef that the average aquarist would set up. This will give us a baseline for comparison.
Once established we can start gathering information in the following order!
SPECTRUM NEEDED
This will define the wavelengths and number of lumens needed at each wavelength to achieve suitable results over the average system mentioned above.
COST TO INSTALL
This would be the fixed cost of aquiring ALL of the needed parts for an operable system.
COST TO OPERATE
This is the total cost per DAY to run said lights. (not the wattage of the lamps, but the total current draw of the lamps and ballast! or power supply). Useful numbers would be in kWh. We all pay a different killowat hour rate.
COST TO MAINTAIN
This is the total cost to maintain the said system. It should be broken down into a common unit that is comparable.
AVG Bulb life (months) X number of bulbs X Cost per bulb
HEAT RADIATON PATTERN
The general pattern in which heat is radiated from the said technology.
GENERAL PROS
Obvious.
GENERAL CONS
obvious.
With the above information it should be pretty easy for any aquarist to pick (or mix and match) tecnologies to get the desired effect and price range.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
P.S. I am posting this in the DIY thread simply because most of the "data' is of a DIYers nature. Lumens, Watts etc.