Black box LED Question

B

Beweav

New member
Hello everybody!
Just a quick question, I have been looking into the black box LED and I have notice two basic types. Both the same dimensions and very close prices. The one style(many, many, brands) has 55, 3watt bulbs, 165 watts in total.
The other(I've only seen one brand with this style) has 60, 5 watt bulbs, 300 watts in total.
So my question is why would I not go with the second option, and does any one have any experience with these lights?
-Corals are in the plans for this tank.
Thanks in advance for your help!

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What is your tank size? That has a lot to do with the size you get. When I got mine, I opted to get 3 165w units instead of 2 300w units mostly due to the cost difference. The 3 units were cheaper than 2. I have a 6ft long tank and needed the coverage.
 
It's is a 90 gallon.
Sorry, I don't quite understand. The one I saw was only 10 or 15 more for the 300, wouldn't 3 300w units work be the more cost effective option?

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With my 90 gallon I used 2 of the 165 watt LED's because there was a brace in the middle so the 300 watt unit would have cast a shadow.
 
Read the fine print to see what wattage the fixture is actually using. All the "165" watt fixtures I've looked at are actually running 120 watts. If over driven some 3 watt leds are theretically capable running at 5 watts and it gives the manufacturer the justification to advertise a much higher wattage than the fixture is actually running at.
 
True. The 165 max is about 2w each. It will make it last longer. It still seems very bright and I'm currently running about 60% at peak.
 
I've got 2 of the 300W units over my 80 cube. Running at around 60% I have no shadowing. I have a moixed reef and these lights grow anything I put in my tank.

Why anyone would pay triple the price for a brand name fixture is beyond me. I even went so far as to open them up and wire them into my apex so I can ramp them up and down to simulate a sunrise and sunset, just like the units that cost three times as much.
 
homer1475 said:
Why anyone would pay triple the price for a brand name fixture is beyond me. I even went so far as to open them up and wire them into my apex so I can ramp them up and down to simulate a sunrise and sunset, just like the units that cost three times as much.
Click to expand...
Exactly my question??
Thank you, all that was very helpful.
From what I can see the one running 5watt LEDs actual power is 120watts. I don't know how that's possible. Maybe it's misinformation.
Are we allowed to post links?


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There 5 watt LED's, but you can't run them at 100% all the time, or they'll burn put very quickly, so they underdrive them. It's a common practice. Even if you turn the knob up to 100% your probably still only running them at 80% actual power.
 
Yeah we can post some links for reference. I opted for the 1x 60x5w global star for my 36g. I figured the more the better. I can always adjust it if needed....I noticed if I turn them up 100% you only notice a difference in brightness up to 80ish...so seems they are limited.

But they are great. Wish I spent a bit more for a controllable model but still works...you can also go the Par38 Full Spectrum light bulb routes. I got one on amazon for like 30 and it fits into normal lamp sockets..I will be using it for my Fuge.

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