Making the Plunge to Led Lighting

I have made up my mind and if these lights are strong enough I will place them on order Wave Point LED Lighting System . My current light for my 120 gallon tank just produces to much heat and my tank is at about 83 degrees the entire time (way to warm). I dont want to spend 800 bucks plus for a chiller, which I dont have space for anyway. I mostly want to keep soft corals and not so much sps. Do you think these lights will be enough for what I want to do.

Here is what I have now:
Aqualight Pro HQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Light Fixture

48"492 watt
2-150 watt HQI
2-96 watt334" Square Pin

This is what i want to replace them with 48" specs:

Wave Point LED Lighting System
SizeWattsDescriptionDimensions24"168(48 x 3W) LED Lighting System24" x 9.25" x 4.5"36"225(72 x 3W) LED Lighting System36" x 9.25" x 4.5"48"336(96 x 3W) LED Lighting System48" x 9.25" x 4.5"

Thanks for the help.

John

I have read some good things about wavepoint in this forum so hopfully this will work out.

 

I am dying to see the weigh on this question? I am also curious if someone could give an equation or estimate about how much cost savings one could expect making the switch.

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Have you tried to using a fan to blow across the surface of either your tank or your sump? That alone can cool off the tank significantly. Also how close is the light from the top of the water? On a 120, I don't think you should have too much trouble with heat using 150w MH bulbs.

As for the Leds, I don't now much about them. Some people rave about them, while others point to poor growth rates and color. The biggest concern is long term usage and because Leds are still new, there's no answer yet.

To find out the cost of running a given lighting system, just add up the total watts used in an hour, example, if you run 50 3w LED bulbs, 50x3= 150w, multiple that by 24, then by 30 and divide by 1000 and that will give you the KwHrs used in a month. Whatever you pay per Kw/Hr, multiply that by the number of Kw/Hrs used and that is how much you will pay. There's no secret technology that allows LEDs to use less electricity, they use whatever wattage they are. The savings comes from ability to theoretically achieve same or similar PAR and Lumen results from less wattage, therefore you use less electricity for the same output. LEDs are also more efficient to cut down on waste. But if you run 500w worth of LEDS and 500w worth of MH, it will cost you about the same.

 

you also have to consider the amperage when estimating household electricity usage. a mh ballast is considerably high amps compared to a 3w LED and driver. dont forget to factor the LED driver into the equation also.

 

83 degrees can be cooled down 4 or 5 degrees with that fan idea. If your running softies only, why not get a 6 - T5 fixture if heat is a problem. I have the same setup you have and use a small clip-on fan (12 bucks @ WalMart). I put it on a timer to come on when the MH's come on & turn off.

 

seabass I might give that idea a try I just have to figure out where i will put it. My tank is currently cycling and i want to try and sort out all possible issues before I am able to transfer my livestock from my 29 gallon.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

The tank and all its accesories need to be hid so I dont know if the small clip on fan will work but I will give it a try.

Wife said she will not have a bunch of equipment all over the place where it can be seen.

 

If you have a sump, you can just put it over the sump. I got a piece of clear acylic to act as a "top" to sit the fan on, then just used a timer to come on during the day. Pretty effective.

 

Guitar yes I do have a refugium and so if I put the fan in that area it will cool the 120 gallon dt effectively as well??????

thanks again for the hlep

 

It depends upon the flow rate, but I would think it should work. If you can, raise the lights off the water a few more inches.

 

I have a mag 18 for my return but I have a ball valve to restrict some flow. My overflow into the refugium is a little loud and I have restrict some flow thier aswell just to get the noise level down from hearing water draining. I would like to dial it down some more but I want to beable to have a good return rate of gallons an hour. Whats your thoughts on this. I can raise my lights up about 2 1/2 inches but I will have to make something which I will get started on right away.