[SalTee]

Hello all! I recently bought three of the Taam Rio 10 LED 10000k fixtures to be used on my nano-reef. Each one uses 10 watts but apparently has the lumen output of a 20 watt Florescent. With all three working in tandem, how does this measure up to a Halide system? I know it's more efficient, longer lasting, and cooler burning, but as far as intensity and spectral quality, which is better?

For comparison, lets go with a 150 watt 14000k Halide.

I guess what i'm trying to say is, if it were your choice- which system would you use for a 5 gallon nano housing a T. Crocea?

[charlie]

Originally Posted by SalTee

Hello all! I recently bought three of the Taam Rio 10 LED 10000k fixtures to be used on my nano-reef. Each one uses 10 watts but apparently has the lumen output of a 20 watt Florescent. With all three working in tandem, how does this measure up to a Halide system? I know it's more efficient, longer lasting, and cooler burning, but as far as intensity and spectral quality, which is better?

For comparison, lets go with a 150 watt 14000k Halide.

I guess what i'm trying to say is, if it were your choice- which system would you use for a 5 gallon nano housing a T. Crocea?

I don't think that Sanjay has done any comparisons on the LED lights yet, at least I couldn't find any with the info I have have. When I heard him speak last year in the Tri-Cities, he compared the PFO LED lights to a 150w MH. That being said, I would personally go with the halide, but that is only my opinion. I don't think either has much PAR, according to Sanjay:

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[Ninong]

Originally Posted by SalTee

I guess what i'm trying to say is, if it were your choice- which system would you use for a 5 gallon nano housing a T. Crocea?

That's an interesting question. Tridacna crocea is the most light-demanding of all the tridacnids. I doubt that it is possible to maintain one long-term in a five gallon aquarium because the required light would be a bad choice for such a tiny tank.

If you can borrow a luxmeter, you could at least measure the light intensity in lumens incident on the clam's mantle, assuming it's a submersible luxmeter. An Apogee PAR meter would be better but those cost about $400 and not many people have them.

Most experts consider a 250w metal halide as the minimum light required for a T. crocea to thrive; however, they have been successfully kept under less intense light.

[reefer69]

As for claims of LED being as good as halides, they always use junk bulbs when doing comparison such as a 15K halide. XM makes good bulbs, but everyone knows their 15K bites and has no par. Why don't they ever compare LED to a better halide bulb with higher par such as a 10K???

I am using metal halide + VHO and I love it. I have not been impressed with the tanks I have seen using LED only.