Need some advice on LED lighting ..

[arch85]

Hi guys,

So I'm very new to this hobby, and need some expert advice from you veterans

We bought a fully established 92 gallon corner tank, and added a bunch of corals and live rock and fish in there.

Right now we're using two MH and one T5 for the lights, but would really like to switch to LEDs...

Now do you think any of these would be good for us? I really can not spend more than $400-500 at the extreme most ...

http://www.marinedepot.com/Marinela...ht_Fixtures_for_Aquariums-AS-FILTFILD-ct.html


Also attached are some pics of our tank ... we'll probably be splitting up / selling / trading some of the corals because I think it's a little over crowded right now ... (got them from a fellow reefer who was breaking down the tank).

Thanks for your help and advice in advance!!

 

[Mr.Rodrigo502]

Wow looks good arch.......my father misses your setup.....that tank was his passion......i see the clarki just gets bigger and bigger....u stuffed that tank quick...just monitor your parameters....and about led lighting...to me its a headache....if u are going to buy ones make sure u get a fixture thats already done.....and for ur tank u are probably going to need 1 36'' fixture or maybe 2 6''x9'' panels....maybe 48 led's 3 watt? Maybe thats alot.....i leave that question to the other led experts on here...........i have 96 led's on my 250 gal with 4 panels and 8 drivers....

 

[JonsReef]

dont get one of those marineland reed led fixtures. the LEDs arent great and they do not have separate switches for the blue and white LEDs. you would be better off making your own. however, i dont think you will be able to get an adequate LED set up for that tank in your 400-500 price range.

for comparison, i did an LED DIY retrofit into a BC14 hood and the components alone were $225. that was only for 12 LEDs, two power supplies, two drivers, and all the little stuff that i needed (wire, solder, thermal adhesive, etc.).

 

[Mr.Rodrigo502]

hey if u are in a real budget....u can get t5 led's...remove the 2 t5's from the fixture i gave u and put led's ...thats just my $00.02

 

[arch85]

hm ... thanks guys (sorry about the delayed reply -- been busy the whole weekend).

Rodrigo, you and your dad are more than welcome to come over anytime you'd like could def. use your advice! lol

hm ... my dad is supposed to come from India in December, so maybe I'll ask him to pick up some LED lights from there ... it's def. a LOT cheaper there ...

I went to Oceans In Glass yesterday (in NH) -- I was really impressed, liked it better than Jays -- and the person there was saying that there are these new fixtures coming soon, that would be really good for our needs ... I'm guessing they're going to be square looking fixtures with 3watt bulbs on em ... He said just one of them should be good enough for our tank, and should be around 300-400 bucks ...

 

[Mr.Rodrigo502]

wow ...wonder whta type of fixtures are those.................and yea if ur father can grab some from india then do so.....tell him to bring enough for the club......