LED Lighting

[stormhawk]

Tried out the LED light set that came with the Dymax IQ5. It looks cool but I can understand why some forumers say it sucks. The dimmer on mine occasionally works and the function to turn on and off the blue lights is not working. I opened up the control unit and it looks fine but I reckon there's a wiring problem somewhere, or those buttons just don't work.

[merciwash]

I'm not sure also i got 2 IQ5 at home like you said the light some time don't work and some times do i just add a timer and don't adjust so until now still ok.

[stormhawk]

Precisely why people say it's crap. The buttons are there for a reason but do not seem to work right all the time. Only the Power On button is reliable, but what's the use of 4 functions when they don't work when you want them to.

I guess Dymax needs to do some real QC before releasing such light sets in the future. At least one person on Dymax's Facebook said his NX5 light set blew out after 3 days. How is this possible when LED lights are supposed to last longer than fluorescent lamps?

See this for the FB link - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...44555475564055

[merciwash]

Made in china what to do

[siongboon]

LED lights lifespan is known to have longer lifespan & lower energy consumptionthan fluorescent lamp.
You may like to try low power LED lightings.
High power LED tends to generate more heat and those LED lamps usually requires a good heat sink to dissipate the heat.
Improper/faulty heat sink design can wear off the LED bulb; the bulb is a semiconductor material.
Low power LED lights last longer because less heat generated. I saw these lightings in the lighting shop at Havelock Blk 22. The shop is very unique and interesting, because they sell a lot of energy saving products.

[tawauboy]

.......... How is this possible when LED lights are supposed to last longer than fluorescent lamps?

See this for the FB link - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...44555475564055

a few possibilities;
a) poor current control that causes the drive current to fluctuate and exceed the LED limit
b) poor design of power supply or poor quality of electronic components
c) poor menufacturing causing micro shorts

the LED itself can last very long provided it is kept cool and not overdriven (ie current control is good). if these 2 conditions are not met, anything can happen.

[siongboon]

Yes. You are right. LED can last a very very long time, provided they are designed within their specification. LED that generate less heat is going to last for a very long time.

[BFG]

Yes. You are right. LED can last a very very long time, provided they are designed within their specification. LED that generate less heat is going to last for a very long time.

Led does generate heat. Only with using other external equipment that actively cools the led that it might last long. Without actively cooling the board that the led is mounted on, the led would not last long, no matter low or high wattage. If I am not wrong, the specs calls for the led to be operated at 26 degree for it to last 10000hr. I remembered this clearly when led was just started to go main stream about 2 years ago.

Also, the length of time the led supposed to operate doesn't guarantee the same par/kelvin it was when you first bought it. Even if it could be used for a long time, it might only be beneficial to algae than the aquatic plants that you are trying to grow and maintain. T5 was only beneficial for the 1st 9 months and degrade to become an algae growing light past the year mark.

[naz]

Hi all, I'm considering to upgrade my lighting source. Any reviews so far? Read from page 1 to 5. Some using diy, some using t8 tubes, some using lumenaqua or something.
Hope you guys can share the progress. Thnx.

[BFG]

A ready made set cost a bunch of monies. Go that route if you have cash to spare. There will be constant upgrade of led bulb so if you want, get a fixture that could easily change the led bulb. I have just received my Maxspect Mazarra light fixture. I upgraded to this from the Maxspect G2 that I bought last year. Have not run it yet though.

[naz]

Wow! Must have cost a bomb!
Thnx

[BFG]

Yup, but I now know that led bulb do not live up to expectation. The 10000hr life span does not come true for my own experience. This is my 2nd Maxspect light fixture, let's see how this light fixture stands out.

[naz]

Dang!
I know how you must feel. I'm restless even at work trying to figure out what light set to use. I have a 4ft length by 2.5ft deep tank. Currently on Aqua Zonic 54x4 and one of the tubes sometimes on sometimes off (ballast or connection prob). Sometimes when I swit h on another switch it will turn on!

Just went to NA, Got tempted by Hopar MH clip on light!! 2x150w is sure to solve the lighting issue!!! But heat issue??

Sigh..

Any suggestions/recommendations?

[BFG]

4 light tube not enough in my opinion. I was using 8 x 54w T5 light tube for my 4ft marine tank. You got to sit down and do some calculation on the cost of owning and operating each type of lighting.

[kelvinlim11]

Hi,

I am not sure whether I should post my question here or in the planted tank forum.

Anyway, here it goes:

I am looking to set up a planted fish tank again with all the new nice looking LED lights coming up recently. I have question about life span of such lighting.

In the past, I used to have PL lights and I changed them every six months. So similarly, do I need to replace the LED bulbs frequently or can they last forever (until the bulb blows).

Hope that some experts on LED light can advise me.

Thank you.

I have been using led lights from aqauzonic for my 3ft tank for about 1.5 years and its still working well. I don't think we really can judge it is gets dimmer unless we use a light meter.

[naz]

4 light tube not enough in my opinion. I was using 8 x 54w T5 light tube for my 4ft marine tank. You got to sit down and do some calculation on the cost of owning and operating each type of lighting.

hehehe... i setteled with 6x 54 T5HO from DeLightings! It was nice till the temp shoot up and then, Green Water Issues! A good reason to finally SCAPE my aquarium! lolx