• Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.

To "led"...or not to "led"...

GEEGOBAL

GEEGOBAL

OK here is where I am at...I currently have the 48" Deep Blue Professional SolarXtreme light (2 x Daylight + 2 x Actinic) and this fixture is coming up on 2 years old. A week ago I noticed my actinic's stopped working. Immediate assumption was 1 of the 2 actinic bulbs were out so I ran down to Trop to pick up 4 new bulbs ($80.00 - might as well change the daylights too while I was in there). Put them in and actinics are still not working. Did some research and now the Ballast may be the culprit. Ran back to Trop for a new Ballast ($30.00) and got instructions from Deep Blue how to change it. Changed it and still no actinics. Here is my question(s)...Being I am $100.00+ into my old fixture, Do I buy the same fixture new and save what I have as spares? Or do I bite the bullet and go to LED's? As most of you know LED fixtures are not cheap. Are LED's anyway beneficial to my 90 gallon FOWLR (besides cheaper to run, less maintenance)?

If LED's are the way to go...can someone recommend a manufacturer that makes a 48" (with legs to sit ontop of my tank)? I do not want to suspend from the ceiling.
 
falconut

falconut

NJRC Member
I just switched out my old MH/VHO setup over to LEDs. I did a little research and found the Arctic S026 to be a decent on-off LED with manual dimmers for a very reasonable price. I got two for my 90, so far it's only been a week, but everything is responding well so far. Time will tell, but I've been happy with them. They are made by OceanRevive.

As far as hanging, you might have to fabricate something. All the LEDs I've noticed use hanging kits. But, I've seen posts where plenty of people modify them to their use. I just hung mine, they each came with two hanging kits.
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

There are less expensive LEDs that come with feet, Marineland mades some and they are pretty cheap. I guess you cannot take the stuff back to Trop? Seems like a real waste to be honest. Your energy and heat will drop from T5. Does your tank run warm in the summer? Do you like the look of LED better than T5 or the other way around? Those are the questions I would ask. I suppose you could sell the bulbs here BTW people still run T5 maybe look to take just the ballest back? I was huge T5 guy but last year I made the jump to LED, I think it is worth it. On the the other hand my fresh water tank still has a double T5 fixture until it dies.
 
Ryeguyy84

Ryeguyy84

Something I liked about switching to LEDs is how they fade in and out. With my old light there were such hard transitions between day and moonlights. Now I don't even notice.

And I also really like not having to buy bulbs for a few years.

Here's how I hung mine, it's a tv hanger
 
dppitone

dppitone

Two 60 watt white/blue LED fixtures with 120 degree spread can be had for about $100 total, which would be very good for a FOWLR/90g - if you like that look better than your current fixture. They can be of course had for a lot more $ with different looks and options.
Dave

$_3.JPG
 
Cdiggy

Cdiggy

Sky is the limit for LEDs. I bought one for my 58 36x18 and it is only 32" long. I need to build another
Canopy to set it on but I love it. Good for tanks up to 48" and dimmable in 10 minute increments. $399 delivered. I run it 1/3rd power.
 
GEEGOBAL

GEEGOBAL

JRWOHLER said:
There are less expensive LEDs that come with feet, Marineland mades some and they are pretty cheap. I guess you cannot take the stuff back to Trop? Seems like a real waste to be honest. Your energy and heat will drop from T5. Does your tank run warm in the summer? Do you like the look of LED better than T5 or the other way around? Those are the questions I would ask. I suppose you could sell the bulbs here BTW people still run T5 maybe look to take just the ballest back? I was huge T5 guy but last year I made the jump to LED, I think it is worth it. On the the other hand my fresh water tank still has a double T5 fixture until it dies.
Click to expand...

I went to TROP yesterday and apparently the problem I am having is an ongoing issue with the Deep Blue 48". I wound up picking up the 48" to 60" Orbit Marine LED ($266) - running it at 60% and WOW what a difference. In the summer months had to leave the lid of my canopy open as yes the water ran warmer than in the Winter. I now like the LED light much better than the T5. I am waiting for a RMA# from Deep Blue. According to TROP they will take it back and I will get a credit towards the new LED I bought. We will see...
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

GEEGOBAL said:
I went to TROP yesterday and apparently the problem I am having is an ongoing issue with the Deep Blue 48". I wound up picking up the 48" to 60" Orbit Marine LED ($266) - running it at 60% and WOW what a difference. In the summer months had to leave the lid of my canopy open as yes the water ran warmer than in the Winter. I now like the LED light much better than the T5. I am waiting for a RMA# from Deep Blue. According to TROP they will take it back and I will get a credit towards the new LED I bought. We will see...
Click to expand...

Glad things are working out for you. Sounds like you got a good option, post a pic for us so we can see the new lights!
 
Ryeguyy84

Ryeguyy84

I had the same lights and I returned them to trop 3 times. The third time I sold them on ebay brand new in box as is and moved on. Trop made it clear this was the last exchange.
 
GEEGOBAL

GEEGOBAL

IMG_1087.jpgIMG_1088.jpgIMG_1089.jpgUpdate...Deep Blue will not give me the RMA # (fixture out of warranty) so I am stuck with the 48". Here are some pics. Can't believe how small this is!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Empire

Empire

idk if you are a paying member but the mods will shut this down man. you can't sell without being a member. if you are a paying member, i apologize.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top