LEDs? Not so fast!

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Ok so at the AGA I got a chance to speak to Cara. I was trying to figure out what I would need on my 215 that would give me the same amount of light as my current metal halides and if it was worth it.

Here is my breakdown...

Current setup in 215G tank:
3 x 250 watt mh 10k lights
I replace the bulbs every 3 years or so.

Cost:
Electricity:
290 watts x 3 fixtures x 9 hours / 1000 = 234.9 kWh
Electricity costs is about $0.13 per kWh
My 215G tank lighting costs me about $30.54 / month or $366 per year

Bulbs cost $90 each. So on avg $90 / year

Total costs is $456 / year


The led strips Cara recommended are 85 watts. She recommended 2 - 3 strips.
Assuming 2 strips, electricity costs would be 2 x 85 x 9 hours x 30 days = 49.5 kWh @ 0.13 = $5.96 per month or $71.6 / year.


For 3 fixtures it would be $8.95 / month
Or $107ish / year.


The led strips would need to be replaced completely in 7 - 10 years according to her. Let's say avg 9 years life.

The fixtures themselves are $485 each.

So total cost is: 485 x 3. + 107 x 9

$2418 over 9 years

The Mh costs over 9 years would be $4104

So, its about a $1500 savings over 9 years if I switch to LEDs.

That's about $166 per year or about $14 per month.

Obviously I'm assuming the MH ballasts will last.

Cost for the fixtures themselves is 485x3=$1455

It would take me 8.66 years to be break even, assuming my ballasts last. 8 years!
And then its almost time to replace the led fixtures again.

Doesn't seem worth it.

Thoughts?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

BTW, I just looked up average mh ballast life. Its 18 years.

[Ben Belton]

You forget to add in the awesome factor of LED.

[krisw]

Interesting comparison... I wonder how the numbers would work out with a DIY solution, since you don't need a pretty light in that canopy? What I'm thinking is something like RapidLED, but you buy a reserve of LED stars up-front to replace in 5-10 years. Those individual stars are only a couple of bucks. If the average life of the drivers and controllers is long lived, it might change the financials. Obviously, no need to replace the heatsink, which is one of the more expensive options.

Finally, would you still run the same fans with your LEDs, or are those only necessary for the MH? If so, factor in the fan running cost (minimal)

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

You're right - I don't need a pretty fixture - its all going to be hidden. I agree - that might significantly affect the costs.

I'm all for DIY but a little unsure on how I would figure out what I need to pull this together to price out. Any pointers? My PAR at the bottom of the 215G is 200 and would like to keep it close to that. Could get away with 175ish but don't want it lower than that.

[krisw]

Perhaps the RapidLED puck kits would be the ticket?

Single Puck:
http://www.rapidled.com/aurora-puck-kit-dimmable/

Duel Puck:
http://www.rapidled.com/dual-aurora-puck-kit-dimmable/

For that PAR, I imagine you'd use the regular lenses for penetration. Some reefers report PAR in the range you're describing, but it's not 100% clear the depth they're measuring at:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... ?t=2396994

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... 094&page=2

Presumably, you'd have more flexibility in changing out hardware down the road at cheaper cost. If you don't want the pucks, you could create more even spread, and have more color/LED/lens control with this for even less ($550):

http://www.rapidled.com/freshwater-180g ... mable-kit/

PAR will vary on lenses used/height/etc...

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Angles, Drivers, Controllers, Color temps ... jeez! Looks like some weekend reading for me.

Who's the GWAPA expert on LED lighting?

[krisw]

Angles, Drivers, Controllers, Color temps ... jeez! Looks like some weekend reading for me.

Who's the GWAPA expert on LED lighting?

Sam, I think Ghazanfar is asking for you.

[Ben Belton]

Average life of a ballast might be 18 years, but I had 2 that I was using for orchid lights croak within a year. You are past that, but I wouldn't count on 18 years.

[Aaron]

Eugen has also done some really awesome stuff with LEDs, but he's about to have or perhaps just did have his first kid.