LEDs...When to Replace?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
benzjamin13

benzjamin13

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Sep 12, 2005
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I know that regular bulbs should be replaced every year, but I was wondering about LED lights? I was just looking at my tank and thought how super bright the new LED lights were...and now...it's still pretty bright, but nowhere near as bright as it used to be. It's only been a few months too.
 
leds last and avg of 50k hours. so never. :)

if you are already noticing dimming your lights maybe overheating.
 
LED lights shouldn't dim. Maybe if they're a cheap brand with faulty wiring or driver it could possibly make them dim. The last I knew good quality LEDs had a 10 year to lifetime warranty. I've had a lot of experience with LEDs. Not so much in the aquarium hobby though. From my experience they are as bright as the day they were new until they quit, which was rarely. If they were dimming it was always due to poor power supply. Usually corrosion in the wiring.
 
So I don't need to worry about the spectrum quality fading like they do in regular T-bulbs?




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You SHOULDN'T have any issues, but as with all electronics heat is the enemy. If the lights were set up with wrong sized drivers, poor heat syncs and minimal ventilation then it could be completely reasonable that it is failing prematurely. A short in there could be causing the lights to dim. Is this a diy setup or a prebuilt setup? Either way it the problem can be isolated and then replaced with a heavier duty component.
 
Thanks for the replies peoples, I really appreciate it:)

My light is a pre-built model that I got from a lfs which seem to know a lot about plants. I sometimes think that maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me and there's nothing wrong with the lights:confused: LOL! I've been looking at the light and it seems fine. No condensation building up inside the protective screen over the light, it's obviously bright if I look dead on, lol, and looking at everything...it's still a solid piece, no rust, any wiring I can see doesn't look frayed, wet, corroded, moldy, or anything.
 
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