LED Q and A

I noticed we had a Q and A about every other lighting but not LEDs. So my goal here is to start one so not only I can learn something about them, but others may be able to learn something to. I do not know enough about LEDs to start so please chime in on this and help every one who wants to know more about LEDs.

 

Wow, this is a great idea for a discussion. I have two AI Sol White modules that I have had for about 8 weeks now, so I could probably answer a few questions, but so many more I would sure appreciate the help of experts on. Let me try throw out a few.

1. On a quality LED system, what is the actual degradation of the light output over 1 year, 10 years, etc.

2. Using dimmable LED's of different colors in tandem can result in the color of the light shifting over a ramping up/down period. Do we know anything about whether this is a problem for corals.

3. I've read the MH v. LED debate. I obviously chose LED, but I want to understand better what the specific concern is on the MH side. I read that some folks worry about "growth" with LED's, but see loads of tanks with a few years of very good growth on them under LED's. Is this a quality of LED problem? Is there a certain level of growth being expected? I don't mean to restart a fight, there are other threads for that. I just wish I better understood what to look for when trying to validate or invalidate the concern.

 

I know there is good growth with LED, but one of the major concerns is coral coloring in SPS. I think a lot of it is the fact it is extremely hard to get an accurate colored picture under LED systems. That coupled with the very few out there tends to have people shy away.
Not to mention they are expensive. Their benefits cost wise are in the long term. Most systems should last at least five years. That is a lot of bulbs to not have to change out. In my particular system, it would cost $3300 in bulbs alone, not to mention the electrcity to cool them all.

 

I was looking at rapidLED and I think their diy lighting systems are very reasonable. I was wondering about the coloring of corals myself. Hopefully someone here with sps under LEDs will talk about the coloring and growth.

 

These are only my opinions.

 

Can anyone explain how it depletes the color of sps? Does this happen to other corals?

 

As far as I can tell from reading.... It doesn't really deplete the colors for SPS. Not the LEDs themselves anyways.

SPS changes colors depending on what light is given them over a period of time. Add in to that the brown out or bleaching that occurs when you change PAR / PUR levels on them, some people see that as loss of color. Mostly what it is, is the adjustment period of the corals to the new lighting spectrum and levels. This has taken up to 6 months in my tank with just changing MH bulbs.

I know Sanjay did a very good article on the "loss of SPS colors under LED", and found that there really was nothing to worry about, long term. I will try to find the article for everyone.

 

Thanks that will help out a bunch.

 

I know that when I made the switch from dual 150W MH Phoenix 14K to LEDs (mixture of CREE DIY Cool White/Royal Blue and a BoostLED Mu135W) my corals have shown more intense colors. I have the following in my system at the present time:

Duncans, 3 different Blastomussa wellsi, various Palys/Zoanthids, 2 different colorations of Acanthastrea Lordhowensis, 20+ Polyps of Ricordea Florida, a Tube Anemone, Platygyra, a couple Favites, and Euphyllia (Golden Torch).

They were colorful before the switch, but now are more intense, and to me, look much more attractive than they did previously. I will be branching into SPS within the next couple of months.

 

Have a read, Stoney, This is what I got from a collaboration of studies by Joe Burger, Sanjay Joshi, and a few other reef hobbyists.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/effects-led-sps-corals-105878.html

I talk quit a bit about the colouration and how corals get their pigment through different wavelengths. I also talk a bit abut coral bleaching/browning.