Fluorescent

[the loach]

I used to buy simple fixtures at the hardware store, they were between $5 to $10. I am still using some of those, after 35+ years.
Led is new technology, they can't possibly know or prove how long a certain Led light will last, so it's a stretch to assume it is cheaper.

Leds do have their benefits, but the common arguments that are used (they are cheaper, always more economical) are not true. And unlike fluorescents, when they fade (and they will) or break, the complete fixture will have to be replaced.

 

[Amazoniantanklvr]

I used to buy simple fixtures at the hardware store, they were between $5 to $10. I am still using some of those, after 35+ years.
Led is new technology, they can't possibly know or prove how long a certain Led light will last, so it's a stretch to assume it is cheaper.

Leds do have their benefits, but the common arguments that are used (they are cheaper, always more economical) are not true. And unlike fluorescents, when they fade (and they will) or break, the complete fixture will have to be replaced.

ok, fair point.


However LEDs are cheaper to run.

 

[the loach]

As a sweeping statement that is not true, only in comparison with smaller fluorescents, the larger ones are more efficient.
That is for the most energy efficient Leds.
Most aquarium targeted Leds (or T8 led replacements) are advertised as "using only half the energy". But they don't use energy efficient Leds at all, yes it may use 50% of the energy but when you compare the output it is also cut in half...

 

[FreshyFresh]

That is not true. Fluorescents have a LLMF (reduction of Lumen output) of something like 0,90 between 12,000 to 20,000 hours (depending on the type), meaning they still have 90% of their output at that time. So if you have them on for 12 hours a day, that's 4380 hours per year. I change mine every 3 to 4 years depending on the type. Aquarium specific bulbs do not last as long.

Now Leds, on the other hand, also fade over time (and not all equally of course) but you won't find those numbers on the Leds you buy, either they aren't available or are omitted cause they aren't great... it's still cheaper to replace the larger fluorescents as buying Leds.

??? I said nothing about lumens in my post.

I mentioned the radiation fade. PAR and PUR - Photosynthetically active radiation and usable radiation is something that indeed fades from day one of use with fluorescent lamps.

It's said to happen with LEDs as well, but the process takes much longer.

 

[the loach]

the amount of radiation they put out that allows for plant growth fades over time- rather rapidly.

Not true that it goes rapidly, unless you consider 3 years rapidly (granted, speciality bulbs most often only last half that time, but still)

I've seen it cited that Led's last 30,000 hrs against fluorescents 20,000 hrs, but like fluorescents, not all Leds are the same. Also Led electronics can and do fail completely, can't be repaired and have to be fully replaced, all of this has to be taken in to account when comparing costs.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Again... I'm not talking about the lifespan of the lamp. I'm referring to the usable radiation that they put out to sustain plants. The plants you keep and the way you keep them could very well work with 3yr old fluorescent lamps, but I can assure you this is not the case for everyone's setup.

 

[the loach]

I am referring to the actual output of the lamp, not the lifespan. Osram for example, rates the lifespan of their Lumilux fluorescent tubes at 20,000 hrs. That is the number that 50% of their tubes will last. During that time, it will only loose approximately 11% of it's output.

OSRAM Americas | OSRAM SYLVANIA Homepage

OSRAM Americas Corporate Homepage

www.osram.com

Output degraded faster last century, and speciality bulbs often don't hold their output as long. But the statement is certainly no longer true for all fluorescents.

On average, the lighting industry has assigned a LLMF of 0,7 for Leds, in other words, the output of a Led, on average degrades faster as a quality fluorescent.

 

[Colbyt54]

Agreed. However java moss can be used as a carpet.


Im not disagreeing with you about the blub price. But the fixture can cost say 40. In the long run a cheap LED (beasmwork for example) will be cheaper in the long run, IMO.

Alright, thank you! I’m going to try some java moss on some spider wood that I’m getting, maybe it’ll grow across the gravel as well?

 

[the loach]

I wanted to add these links so everyone can see for themselves sales pitches are not the same as honest factory specifications.
Philips has an easy to navigate site and all the specifications are there.

I picked a random led light:

Error 404 | Philips

Error 404

www.lighting.philips.com

Lifetime 10,000 hrs
LLMF at end of lifetime 70%

I had to look really for some that had a lifetime of over 25,000.

Error 404 | Philips

Error 404

www.lighting.philips.com

Lifetime 25,000 hrs
LLMF at end of lifetime 70%

CorePro LEDtube 1200mm 18W 865 T8C W G | Philips

The new generation of energy saving and affordable T8 Mains tube lighting | Philips

www.lighting.philips.com

Lifetime 30,000 hrs
LLMF at end of lifetime 70%

Currently manufacturers accept a 30% reduction in light for about all Leds. Fluorescents only have ±10% reduction in the same life span.
I will take the promises that 'this Led last 50,000 or 100,000 hrs or whatever' comes with the same guarantee that 'this pacu will stay small'
Also observe this 4' led tube is 18 Watt, and 1850 Lumen. a 865 fluorescent is 36 Watts, and has 3250 Lumen. Replacing fluorescents with Leds is really expensive...

This just to show that the idea that Leds are all better and/or cheaper as what we used to have, is more often than not false. They are more versatile though, and great for small tanks.