New Again

Discussion in 'LED Aquarium Lighting' started by jscottb, Sep 3, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. jscottb

    jscottb Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    41
    I am once again new at marine/reef keeping, or at least I want to be. This is my fourth or fifth foray into marine aquaria/reef keeping. I have the bug again, but my skills are a bit rusty. (I have been doing aquariums off and on for almost 35 years.)

    Just to validate my background, Reef Sources was something I set up 10+ years ago when I built out my 40 Breeder and 75g reefs. Then I changed homes and tore down my tanks, let the website go stagnant, and just never got back into it. Now ten years later, I know most of what I knew about marine husbandry and reef keeping is still fundamentally accurate, even though much has changed. The big change is lighting. LEDs seemed to have eclipsed all of the traditional options.

    So, where do I begin again, to learn about LEDs? If I can shore up that foundational gap in my knowledge, I cen get back in the game sooner. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks,

    sb
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2011
    jscottb, Sep 3, 2011
    jscottb, Sep 3, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Gorgok

    Gorgok Plankton

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2011
    Messages:
    2
    What sort of LED knowledge do you want? The basic DIY with ready made drivers and LED kits? The full contact build your own driver and grab a handful of LEDs? The prebuilt LED bulbs just needing to be mounted? Or the full LED units just to plug in? (And for dimming control, if you desire it, there are as many options from complete DIY to ready made control units to simple pots...)
     
    Gorgok, Sep 3, 2011
    Gorgok, Sep 3, 2011
    #2
  3. SkyFire

    SkyFire Clown Trigger

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Messages:
    2,009
    Location:
    Sacramento CA
    I'm thinking he means more along the lines of the PAR/PUR of the newer/better 3 watt chips and use of optics to get coverage (width & depth wise). Just start reading up on all the threads. Most people would say Cree is the best chip for DIYers but Bridgelux makes a good chip as well.
     
    SkyFire, Sep 3, 2011
    SkyFire, Sep 3, 2011
    #3
  4. jscottb

    jscottb Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    Messages:
    41
    Well, I was looking for an article/link/book that explained the differences between other high-end alternatives and LEDs, specifically in color, wattage, life, durability, and effectivity. Back in the day, watts-per-gallon was a gross measure, but now CFs and LEDs have changed that. I have done DIY lights in the past, but I think I will most likely just buy the finished product. I'm was looking for a reasoned article that covered that. Reading hundreds of three-sentence posts is a hard way to glean that info in any consistent usable format.

    Thanks in advance
     
    jscottb, Sep 4, 2011
    jscottb, Sep 4, 2011
    #4