adrian_ych

With much apologies....I did not think of using T5....its either old skool or new Gen....but there were tons of "MH vs t5" on Google since 2006 to 2011

I do really hope that I do not cause any misunderstanding, but I just wanna look at the science behind the MH vs T5 vs LED (tubes or strips). In terms or PAR (400nm to 550nm) The spectrum given off by MH seems to be spiking at certain levels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Metal_Halide_Lamp_Spectrum.jpg But the white LEDs seem to be lacking at 483nm http://protonsforbreakfast.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/light/ http://www.eneltec-led.com/LED-Lighting-Blog/led-white-light-created-by-led-chips-and-fluorescent-powder/ In terms of power & flux Sadly I think LED wins probably due to its energy efficiency. Less energy is wasted on heat creation (Einstein - "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.") My own twisted conclusion - Using MH is like dosing the spectrum required with brightness. More like human eating multi-vitamins, if u need more Vitamin C, just take a few more tablets. - LEDs are known for their short throw (in water), but from what I have read, this might be due to lesser use of reflectors and lower lumens (as compared to MH). But can we install white LEDs and add-on like 453mn LED bulbs (if can be found). Something like drinking lots of fruit juice, if u need more Vitamin C, just go suck on a few lemons. But I thought LED chips are more focused thats why the do not need those larger reflectors.... Sorry...with some update as I just went to Sim Lim Tower, they do not have the 24V LEDs yet....but I have seen them and they are BRIGHT ! Their avg lifespan is approx 20,000 hrs, so approx 1100 days if u use for 8 hrs (almost 4yrs). And I may not pay for those "built-in" LEDs as the LED prices have really dropped and might not be worth paying for prices set 2 yrs back....

Bro...just a FYI, there are LED strips that uses CREE, Nicha, Samsung, Sharp LED chips. But the $$$ is quite different...

Bro...very sorry...I really do not meant as a punt....but can you kindly share what you meant by : - high power (as in lumens or other units) - high flux - high PAR As for pricing....I am more into DIY Light sets....copying ideas from the commercial ones (BTW, my tank is only 2 ft cube....and low budget)

Bro...not to shower on you and not a punt... But I think there were many LED developments recently and with China opening up, sadly, there are quite a lot of reports on LEDs are either outdated or too bias. Most of the developments are made by Japanese, Korean or European organisations/companies which at times make them more affordable in Asia than US.

Bro...wat size is your tank ? BTW, when u say LED, u might want to know that there are LED tubes (frosted and non-frosted), LED strips and LED spot light etc.... http://www.tradekorea.com/product-detail/P00286669/T8_and_T5_LED_tube__fluorescent_LED_tube_lamp__high_power_LED_light__energy_efficient_lighting.html http://www.loslight.com/ In many ways, most LED tubes have the same brightness as fluorescent tubes as they compliment each other with the LED being more efficient and thus power saving over the long run. But if you are looking at doing away with the T5/T8 tubes, you can consider the waterproof LED strips. you can easily DIY at Sim lim Tower B1. i always suggest getting 2x 2 strips set up, 1x2 normal brightness and 1x2 brighter strips. then you can choose to on the normal or brighter ones at your choice. You may want to take a pic of the cover so maybe more advise can be given.....

I think nowadays, the LED strips goes like SGD10 to SGD 15 per meter. Just about 9 months back, the same ones were the same amount per feet. There are new imports especially with the ultra-bright 24V LEDs too... In Dec 2012, if the comparison between strips LED vs tube LEDs vs spot lamp LEDs vs MH using wattage and cost, you might want to consider a semi DIY LED strip using 5050 or 3014 chips. http://www.flexfireleds.com/pages/Comparison-between-3528-LEDs-and-5050-LEDs.html

Just to make clear....I so far tried for large tanks which we used the strips to replace florescent lamps. If u using those HDB reflectors, you can paste the LED strips in the reflector. Sorry no Pics as not my place....Owner said only rocks so no pics till cycling over... This is what we did for the 4ft (L) x 2.5ft (H) x 2ft(W) tank. 3x analog timers (the digital ones, the LED panel seem to fade after 2yrs) A few pieces of 4ft PVC trunking 2x 3ft Normal LED strips - 11am to 5pm + 8:30pm to 10:30pm 2x 3ft Super Bright LED strips (Pls note these are not the Ultra-Bright) - 4:30pm to 9pm 2x 3ft dark blue LED strips - 8:30pm to 11pm (Pls note these are not the Blue actinic as we had hard time explaining 453nm in SLT, but if anyone can advise on 453nm in layman pls help) When we bought the pair of LED strips, we had it with 1.5m of trailing wire terminated with a plug that fits to a AC/DC adapter, 12V 2A (sold and done by LED shop). The strips were place Normal, Super Bright, Blue, Normal, Super Bright, Blue

Went too early...before start work ard 9am....most still closed....think maybe next Sat morning I have seen those high powered LED light strips which are quite expensive as compared to the brighter LED strips. I shall not go into the debate of LED vs MH etc. Just google the comparisons, but make sure that the review is very recent as there had been many improvements lately. Furthermore, the technology has been leaked to China only early part of this yr....so the Ultra-Bright "China-Made" LEDs have only started entered our small SG market.

Thx for reminder....I park at SLS before 12pm...walk over so later can drive into CBD...

I am heading SLS tmr morning....budget $50....to retro fit lighting for 1.5 ft tank.....

Sorry to ask this here, but since we on the topic.... Are similar lamp fittings (without bulbs and electronics) available in SG ? I want to retrofit the fittings with the LED strips so they will "stand" on the tanks.... http://www.hailea.com/e-hailea/product1/aquarium%20lamp%20fittings.htm

I think they are in stock at aquamarine....

But won't the clams move ? unless u add a remote to point the spot light everytime the clams move..... kindly correct me, it might be the waves causing sunlight to be focused into strong moving light beams to penetrate into the sea floor.

ebay can be quite costly....especially for layman as the cutting (the strips come in 5m, 10m or 50ft) Multi-color may me more costly as you might need a controller in addition to the DC converter. I just help my friend create 4x 4ft to replace his flourscent tubes. we placed the strips inside the PVC cable trunking (w/o cover) to make then straight http://kennedyguan.en.made-in-china.com/product/kMNEFHtxgBra/China-Solid-PVC-Trunking.html

Actually I thought so too....but when I went to Sim Lim Sq....I saw a "bright" different light..... What is made in US, we have the China version.....no need to last 100 yrs....5yrs to 10yrs will do.... http://www.flexfireleds.com/categories/LED-Flexible-strips/High-Intensity-UltraBright-LED-Strips/

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=207897879459776657565.0004af009250d78b44104 I have an old map....recently updated....would appreciate if anyone can add and update it as well....

You may want to go to Seaview, due to the renovations, they are having 10% to 15% off.... For a Nano tank, I use a HL-501 or even a HL-701. I cannot remember the brand but this is a black one with a surface skimmer

Have you considered using LED strips, would also be easier to mount.... There are water proof LED strpss availanle in Slim Lim tower....