After查看Mazarra LED灯在180加仑和艾纳诺（Ai Nano）领导on a 34-gallon, I’ve been getting a lot of emails about whether I’m happy with the transition overall. There are a lot of aquarist on the fence about wether LED lighting is right for them. Some wonder if it’s the right time to jump in, while others are hesitant to move away from a lighting strategy that works.
With LED technology changing in both advancements and pricing, the timing question is a reasonable one. And when something you already have works, why change it? Instead of answering everyone on a individual basis, I figure I’d share my thoughts on reefbuilders. Please note, I’m not a lighting expert. I’m just a hobbyist voicing some humble opinions and observations.
Here were some of my initial concerns, and where they stand now.
- The individual LED colors can cause multicolored shadows and glimmer lines on the corals and sand:这绝对是一个潜在的问题，狭窄的光学元件更为明显。我使用的是100度和70度光学器件，但仍在某些区域看到它。起初这让我烦恼，但不再困扰我。我正在使用的固定装置在分发光线方面做得很好。我听说这些轻型工件的一些便宜的固定装置更糟。如果您在栅栏上，我建议您亲自见到一些坦克。对我来说，这是一个小问题，与T5s的扁平外观以及与金属卤化物相关的热量/电力相比。
- The tank will have a ‘Windex’ look:I have not found this to be the case, personally. It is easily avoided by choosing a fixture that incorporates Warm White LEDs, or includes red and greed LEDs to balance the narrow spectrum that you get with just Cool White and Blue LEDs.
- LED将具有狭窄的光线分布，并创建一个昏暗而阴暗的坦克：It depends on the tank dimensions and light fixture. Again, not all fixtures are the same. I find that wider optics do a great job increasing the light distribution and reducing shadows. But wider optics also reduce PAR. For larger and wider tanks, you might be better off with metal halides in a quality reflector. LEDs do offer the opportunity to focus the light on the reef structure, instead of the whole tank. I like this idea. It has helped me keep the glass cleaner and reduced the amount of glare and light spillage into the room. In regards to brightness, this is a tricky one. Humans have a hard time interpreting intensity in the blue spectrum. Most LED fixtures place a lot of emphasis on Blue and Cool White LEDs, which results in a lot of intensity in a narrow range. They will appear dim to the hobbyist, but potentially bleach and stress many corals. There are numerous reef forum threads about folks having to start out at reduced output with a slow rampup to full intensity. Fixtures that include Warm Whites and/or Red/Green/Yellow’s tend to appear brighter to the end user.
- 关于LED的可用生活有一些怀疑：对我来说，这仍然是一个开放的问题。制造商声称LED最多可以持续50,000小时。但是这有多真实？固定装置只要他们所容纳的LED芯片就可以持续吗？
现在，进入一些预期和意外的积极因素：
- 较低的温度:I have always preferred keeping my tanks around 75 degrees. My fish and corals tend to do better for me in this range. LED’s have made it much easier to keep temperatures down. I’m ok with the fact that my heater is running more in winter. It’s easier to warm a tank than it is to cool it.
- 减少眩光和轻溢：我的夹具照亮了水箱，而不是水族馆前面的房间或地面。我更喜欢开放的水族馆，但讨厌我的灯光使我的2英尺高的小孩蒙蔽了一个事实。她可以享受鱼类和珊瑚，而没有那么多的眼睛疲劳。实际上，我们不得不在房间里添加台灯，以弥补缺乏流浪光的情况。
- 模块化：I love the fact that I can increase or reduce the number of modules, if I change tank sizes.
- Dimming ability:能够使灯光变暗是很棒的。它有助于适应珊瑚，模拟日光强度的变化，并产生更自然的黎明/黄昏效应。有了一个灯具，我可以在一天之内将水箱的外观从20k到10k上，并在一天之内返回。走进房间很棒，每次让坦克看起来有些不同。某些金属卤化物和T5镇流器也可以进行变暗，但实施更有限。
- 没有年度灯泡更换：I’m a lazy hobbyist, and this appeals to my lazy nature.
在这一点上，LED照亮了我家中的所有礁石。甚至我的回避也有一个便宜的LED灯泡。它把我变成了LED狂热者吗？不，但是我当然喜欢我的灯光。我仍然喜欢T5和金属卤化物。我讨厌争论哪个更好。我仍然相信他们都有自己的位置。目前，我认为LED是标准尺寸坦克的绝佳选择。一旦进入较大，更深的储罐尺寸，成本系数就会使它们变得不那么理想。
金属卤化物仍然将是您在大型坦克上的最佳爆炸声。但是，在这种情况下，LED会大大补充。我还认为Multichip LED的未来是较大的水族馆。生态大炮和凯西尔吊坠本人真的很不错。我希望最终能看到更高的瓦特吊坠，最终具有较大的光分布。
So, is it the right time to jump into LEDs? Well, LED technology is improving constantly. Odds are, lights will get better and cheaper each year. So you have to consider your budget, and decide if the current pricing is acceptable. A lot of things come into play when you throw in electricity cost and bulb replacement. Are LEDs ready to compete against conventional reef lighting? For sure! There are still plenty of cynics out there, but I’ve experienced great results, as have others.
