Ushio’s new Synergy LED MR-16 lamps could be signs of the future for Japanese-style reef spotlighting and low-voltage applications in the hobby. The LED lamps are more efficient and longer-lasting replacements for standard MR-16 (meaning multifaceted reflector bulbs 16 eighths on an inch in size) bulbs most commonly seen in track, architectural and accent lighting. Powered by a 12VDC transformer, the Synergy LED MR-16 is rated for 50,000 hours (even at 12 hours a day that is well over 11 years of use!) and its beam can be modified with different optics for spot (12°), narrow flood (24°), flood (34°) and wide flood (50°) to put various sections of your tank or a price coral on the stage. Although this bulb is not featured for aquarium applications at the moment being offered in 3,100K, 2,200K and 6,500K color temperatures, it does show good promise and would bring in another low voltage application to the hobby. With so many hobbyists integrating crisp white and blue lighting, it will be interesting to see if Ushio makes the move towards a bluer light although many ol’ school reefers may appreciate the warm orange and red colors in a tight pattern these lamps produce.
