LED newbie

Ok, so here is my current set up. 240 gallon mixed reef tank 72x30x25. I have a canopy over it, and it sits 8.5 inches above the water. Currently running 2 250watt MH 10k bulbs with 4 96 watt PC atnics, along with a lunar led strip. As you can probably guess running 900 watts at a time for extended periods gets to be really expensive, especially down here in AZ where electricity costs $0.21/kWh!!!! So I am beginning my search for a good LED system. Is there a good read somewhere that I can look at, or does anyone have any recommendations on what to go with? Looking for enough light to support my current mixed reef, around the same color spectrum as well.

Hope you can help, any further info needed please let me know!

Mike

 

You could do 3 AI Sol with 70* optics lengthways against the tank.
Or 3 of these with 70* optics.
30 XR-E LED's Strip Kit « Catalog Products « Shop « « ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting
Seems like the easiest way to DIY

Do you have a budget?

 

no real budget as I really don't know what its going to cost. From what I can tell looks like around $600 or so should do it? But at $220 a month for electricity, whatever it costs I should be able to make up pretty quick!

 

Um, talking more like 1K-3K for that. The DIY with dimmable (what you want) is about $1050 and 3 AI with controllers are $1630

 

ok, so what do you suggest going with? I figure I can save about $50-75 a month if I switch over.

 

I'd go AI if you can afford it. The level of control is amazing! Thunderstorms, sunrise/set, color adjustment...you can make it look however you want. Plus tech support in the US unlike most LED brands. And you have the ability to upgrade.

 

Probably more. Max power with 3 AIs would be 210w or 225w I believe? And most only run them 40-60% As opposed to 900w!

 

Can those be mounted directly to my hood, or do they have to be suspended?

Aqua Illumination SOL Blue 12 Aqua Illuminations SOL Blue 12

 

You probably could put them in your canopy, but they might not be high enough to get enough spread. Most hang them.
Remember you'll need 3 of those modules and an AI controller, unless you have a reef computer such as GHL, RKL,RKE etc.

 

I really appreciate all the help! I really don't want to lose my canopy though. Dimensions show these at 2.35 inches tall, my canopy sits about 8.5 inches above the tank, thus leaving 6.25 inches above the tank, is that enough?