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Mits

When will LED take over?

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by
Mits
, 01-06-2010 at 09:43 PM (1097 Views)
So I work in the home theater industry, and LED TVs are the hot new trend in HDTVs. Just like in anything else, they are energy effecient, cool, and so small that they have somewhat revolutionized TV. I am seeing this everywhere, from flashlights to home lights to streetlights. They don't seem like they cost very much to assemble, yet they are way out of my price range for the tank. The LED TVs have dramatically dropped in price over their first year, like many other technologies do. I can't wait until the day I can have a large display with fully customizable effects and color temps from banks of LED light. My current 2x250w metal halide lights double as a space heater for my living room. So the point of this post is to get opinions from everyone about their effect on our favorite hobby. How long until everyone has LED on all of their tanks and MH, T5, and VHO are distant memories?

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Updated 01-07-2010 at 05:53 PM by Jessy

Categories
‎ Lighting

Comments

  1. melev's Avatar
    I don't know. Currently (lol), there are a few companies trying to create something you can use. IceCap just released their blue LED T-5-like retro kit, and I'm really thinking about buying some to put over my reef.

    A recent DIY thread was so interesting that I encouraged the author to create a write up for our site here. Hopefully he'll do so shortly. (Ooh, another pun!)
  2. Plantguy's Avatar
    You can have my halides when you pry them from my burned dead hands. LOL

    Or, when I see some that keep my coral and electric bill happy. The new ones from aqua-illumination are definitely perking my interest though. Personally, I think we'll see a return to lower kelvin halides for growth, with LED supplementation to balance out the colors. At least, thats the next thing Im switching to.
  3. VulcanRider's Avatar
    I think LED hasn't really taken off because there hasn't been much substantial info yet on their ability to support coral life. That's my opinion on it. I think once prices start dropping and we have solid info in the ability to sustain life long term, they will take off. No heat, super low electrical use, you cant go wrong.
  4. brotherd's Avatar
    I'm not a huge fan of LED lighting.Yes they can be bright but in my eyes,not great as a visible light Ie for viewing a subject.Compare an led flashlight to a regular incandescent type.The led flashlight is super bright but washes out depth and contrast as well as natural color.Turn on a nice incandescent flashlight and all is there for you to see.Then again what we see and what our wet pets see/need is not exactly the same thing.I will be interested to see how led lighting develops for our hobby.
  5. Mits's Avatar
    I think the flashlight example is just color temp coming into play. It seems the LEDs have a higher color temp than the incandescents. Hey Plantguy, have you guys fired up any of those Icecap blue LED tubes you just got in? I'm curious to see how they look.