View Full Version : LED Fixtures? Anyone Using?
JesterAAK
05-12-2009, 9:33 AM
Trying to get some input/opinions on LED fixtures...was looking at the Solaris fixtures. The only thing that I'm sort of hung up on is their stratosphere level costs...but I'm thinking metal halides + chiller + electric bill may make them worthwhile in the long run.
Thoughts?
Solaris is no more. Some stupid Aerospace company had the patent on "Led lighting for aquarium use" and is essentially suing anyone that makes LED light fixtures for aquarium out of existence. Shame to see PFO was the first company to go because they made great lighting products (other than their solaris power supply problems).
http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/03/big-trouble-brewing-future-aquarium-leds/
Beyond that, LEDs still are not quite there yet.. close, but still more cost effective at this time to go other routes. Maybe a few more years of LED development and they will be ready.
Amphiprion
05-12-2009, 10:11 AM
Yeah, worse yet, the company has no intentions for making nor selling commercial LED fixtures and technology for aquariums. It is a sad world when the legal system can't even distinguish people's intentions these days. Somebody just wanted a patent, bought it, and started suing for cash. Happens all the time.
AquatiCreations
05-12-2009, 10:30 AM
Well darn, I was looking forward to seeing the advancement of LED's in aquarium use... why do people have to be so **** greedy?
Amphiprion
05-12-2009, 2:16 PM
Hmm, I rescind that previous statement as being inaccurate. Initially, that was the idea. It seems the interest shown for home applications has piqued their own interest and they want to take advantage of it (very suddenly):
http://www.planet-llc.com/pages/sunbow/pages/apollo.htm
Ummm, bunch of BS again? Not that I would trust Apollo as far as I could through them, they have lied about everything so far, but this really takes the cake.
The Apollo Aquarium lighting system provides up to twice the light output of other aquarium LED systems in a quiet, sleek, low profile design with no attached fans. Light in wavelengths of amber, green, blue and violet are included for proper growth of coral and other marine life while preventing algae in the tank.
So they have a light that is good for photosynthesis, and not good for it also? How does that make sense?
GregAW
05-12-2009, 3:04 PM
http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/04/04/sunbright-led-system-is-real-and-its-awesome/
LOL, look at that fixture. 6 "strips" of pure white LEDs and just 1 strip of aqua blue and one strip of purple? So you put the blue in the front to fool your eyes, but that isn't going to make the colors in the corals pop out doing it that way.
I saw them down at MAX this year and they were VERY afraid they would be next on the choping block to get sued after PFO.. wonder how that is working for them.
GregAW
05-12-2009, 5:33 PM
Ace, You look but you don't see. On the above link it does state the depth of 24"
So here's another link with more information.
http://www.exotic-aquarium.com/led.html
As for color pop, I'll be sure to post photos when my tank is up and running.
JesterAAK
05-12-2009, 5:34 PM
Wow. That is so messed up. ****, that Solaris looked pretty cool. Hrmph.
Ehhh.. pass on that Greg. I did see it "In person" when I was at MAX this year and no one was impressed there.. even the people making them said they have stopped ALL R&D on the product and stated they know it is only about 1/2 of what a Solaris put out, but they didn't want to invest any more $ into the LED light due to the lawsuits.
duke33
05-12-2009, 5:49 PM
Subscribing...:) I too am interested in this "new" technology.
Good thing these guys (http://stores.ebay.com/LEDwholesalers-Inc_GROW-LIGHTS_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ17537467QQftidZ2QQtZ km) aren't using these on aquariums, huh?
Wouldn't be hard at all to take this $25 panel apart and retrofit it into a DIY hood..
http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/1Som_Bidsome/Grow_light_panel_110_plug.jpg
Ace25
05-16-2009, 10:58 AM
I think it would be very hard to retro fit that panel for aquarium use. You need about 5x as many LEDs than what is pictured. So for every 1 LED on that panel, you should have a cluster of 5 of them in the same space. Also, you need multiple color LEDs to get the right look, which they do sell on Ebay from your link, but not sure what the actual light spectrums are, just say "Red or Blue".
Although for the price.. sheash.. can't beat that price. I have no idea how you could build them for $25.. that is crazy. 1 hours time for me to solder a moonlight together is worth more than that. ;)
3 words... Made in China.
GregAW
05-16-2009, 8:47 PM
3 words... Made in China.
Where else do you expect something to be made? We've sold our country and works out!
Arkangel77
05-16-2009, 8:58 PM
I am using LED's in my tank but they seem to get dim after a montha dn they 1st set I got stopped working after 2 months. Its a shame cause I love the look and as statted before the price is right! Here is a link to the ones I tried.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-LED-LIGHT-TUBE-198-SUPER-BRIGHT-LED-10-000k_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a 2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q 3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZite m35a1796d4eQQitemZ230342356302QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDom ainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported