Bought new led light fixture from China.

[paperdesk]

I bring this up due to my own experience. I have been running evergrow LEDs over my tank for 1.5 years. I wasnt noticing much growth.
I started out with a 1:1 ratio of CW 12000k to RB. That was way too white. So I went to a 3:1 ratio RB to CW. But still not much growth.
When I added the UV and red 660nm the corals responded with growth.
I agree not hard science but many newer LED fixtures are coming out now with more UV and red then the older systems. If they are doing their own research they are coming to the same conclusions.

When I buy my s300 it will look like this.

6 UV 420nm
8 RB 450 nm
2 blue 465nm
4 white NW
2 turquoise 495nm
2 red 669nm

Zedar,

Thanks for posting the second link. Good reading! I have a few questions for you and/or others that are following this:

1. Are you basing your configuration off of the AA article posted above? If so, why are you using fewer UV than they did? Does LedZeal actually offer the LED's you have specified?

2. Did you purposely specify all 420nm LED's instead of the mixed range listed in the article?

3. The article said "Unfortunately, high quality and efficient violet LEDs are still very expensive and in fact, if installed in sufficient quantity, they account for most part of the LED assembly's overall cost."
This being the case, is there a way we can determine the quality of the UV LED's offered by LEDZeal's?

4. It appears they were using a mix of XML and XT-E which I find to be very interesting. I didn't know you could do that, and furthermore, I hear of almost no one using XML's.

 

[Zedar]

Here's some hard science. Reds are only needed in small amounts and you can that from your white leds. Too much red can actually kill your corals. It's a science written article but well worth reading, however if you don't want to read it all, just read the results section.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0092781

Yes, You would only use a small perecentage of red.
And the turquise at 495 is on the outer edge of their requirements. But aesthetically it may be more pleasing.

 

[Zedar]

Zedar,

Thanks for posting the second link. Good reading! I have a few questions for you and/or others that are following this:

1. Are you basing your configuration off of the AA article posted above? If so, why are you using fewer UV than they did? Does LedZeal actually offer the LED's you have specified?
Yes i am basing it of the article. I prefer a bluer look. Yes i spoke with Kevin at Ledzeal and they offer all the colors.

2. Did you purposely specify all 420nm LED's instead of the mixed range listed in the article?
Yes i did purposely choose 420. I have not spoke to Kevin about the UV range they offer.

3. The article said "Unfortunately, high quality and efficient violet LEDs are still very expensive and in fact, if installed in sufficient quantity, they account for most part of the LED assembly’s overall cost."
This being the case, is there a way we can determine the quality of the UV LED's offered by LEDZeal's?

That is a good question, and no I have not researched the quality of the chinese UV LED's. Yet

4. It appears they were using a mix of XML and XT-E which I find to be very interesting. I didn't know you could do that, and furthermore, I hear of almost no one using XML's.

I cannot comment of that. I have little knowledge of the subject.

 

[Jwey]

I pulled the trigger today, bought 2 of the S200's with all 120 deg optics.
I also added 24- 90deg optics to play around with the center 4 LED's (2 Blue and 2 White)
Hopefully will be here next week and will use my local Club's PAR meter to see how well they do.

 

[Sharkman999]

Hi from another reefer over the pond, read this whole thread over the last couple of days and looks like I will be buying one for my upgrade.
My new tank comes with full glass covers which I thought would be great for reducing condensation, does anyone shine their led's through glass,.........do they lose effectiveness?

 

[Zedar]

Hi from another reefer over the pond, read this whole thread over the last couple of days and looks like I will be buying one for my upgrade.
My new tank comes with full glass covers which I thought would be great for reducing condensation, does anyone shine their led's through glass,.........do they lose effectiveness?

Ordinary clear glass blocks about 10% of the light.

 

[Zedar]

For anyone interested, I modified my LED fixture. No, this is not the Malibu fixture. I'll be buying that fixture when I have saved up enough cash Its a great fixture at a great price.

I post this info for anyone looking to purchase the Malibu. Since they will customise your fixture anyway you like, I thought I would share my experience with you.

I have run my current fixture for 1.5 years with just RB/CW. The growth was just ok. Aesthetically I was not happy with it. I think I have struck a good balance with this combo.
I run all LEDS 100%

Existing:
55 leds
41 RB 450nm
10 12000k white
2 red 660nm
2 TV 420nm

Modified:
30 RB 450nm
5 Blue 465nm
5 TV 420nm
5 turq 495nm
2 red 660nm
6 4500K white
2 12000K white

 

[Zedar]

3. The article said "Unfortunately, high quality and efficient violet LEDs are still very expensive and in fact, if installed in sufficient quantity, they account for most part of the LED assembly’s overall cost."
This being the case, is there a way we can determine the quality of the UV LED's offered by LEDZeal's?

In my recent modification to my existing fixture I noticed the 420nm LED lens was burnt black. The Lens material on the old 420nm LEDs was made of a soft material, and in fact when I pushed on it, it popped off.

The new 420's are made of a hard material and cannot be removed.
So time will tell if these are any better.

I have noticed a few different types of 420's for sale on Ebay. One in particular has 2 chips inside one package. I does not list the LM so I cant say if its twice as bright as a single chip design or not.

 

[rickyb]

36 inches is pretty wide. You will definitely will need two S300 (4Ft) units side by side for full coverage. If you don't have a canopy you can buy two S400 (5Ft) units with 60 optics for deeper penetration. If you are thinking of using only one unit with T-5's then use a minimum of 90 degree optics. One T-5 on each side might still not be enough, you might need two on each side. Or you could get three S200 (3Ft) units and place them front to back with 90 or 120 optics. My choice would be two of the 4 Ft or 5 Ft units.

Ditto. I have a similar setup and I am running 2 S400's with 60 degree optics. The fixtures are about 15" above water.

 

[Sharkman999]

Hi mate, another reefer on this side of the pond, did you buy a ledzeal?

Heard back from kevin and he said the power supply is built by meanwell and supposed to be on, on the s400 once its pluged in because of how many watts it is . Man i really like this fixture thanks for starting this thread gillguy im very happy so far with the purchase

Hi Gillguy,

Greetings from across the pond!

I wonder if you're able to give me a little advice please? I am just starting out in the marine world after keeping freshwater trops for a number of years. I've been reading this post with interest and I think I'm definitely set on getting one of these units from Kevin.

The tank I've ordered over here in the UK is about 57(W) x 16 (D) x 22 (H). The problem is, the distance from the waterline to the underside of the canopy is only 5.5 inches. I only have the option of mounting the lights under the canopy as it is solid oak and we don't want to cut into it as it is going to make a great piece of furniture too.

Would you recommend going for 120 optics all round? Also, what would you recommend with regard to colors? Would the lack of height have any effect on the color choice?

 

[paperdesk]

I think I have struck a good balance with this combo.
I run all LEDS 100%

Existing:
55 leds
41 RB 450nm
10 12000k white
2 red 660nm
2 TV 420nm

Modified:
30 RB 450nm
5 Blue 465nm
5 TV 420nm
5 turq 495nm
2 red 660nm
6 4500K white
2 12000K white

If I understand correctly, your fixture has 30 RB and 5 UV? I was thinking about the quote below, and wondering if you are still considering a fixture with a much higher ratio of UV's? If not, I'd be curious to know the reasons as I'm in the process of deciding on my own build. Thanks!

Ted

When I buy my s300 it will look like this.

6 UV 420nm
8 RB 450 nm
2 blue 465nm
4 white NW
2 turquoise 495nm
2 red 669nm

 

[MRCYCS805]

Hi mate, another reefer on this side of the pond, did you buy a ledzeal?

Yes sir i did i ordered a s400 with a custom layout and wireless controller amd love the coloration it puts out and the control ability its awsome for the price and looks bad arse!!!! They are made very well and look sleek for sure !!

 

[Zedar]

If I understand correctly, your fixture has 30 RB and 5 UV? I was thinking about the quote below, and wondering if you are still considering a fixture with a much higher ratio of UV's? If not, I'd be curious to know the reasons as I'm in the process of deciding on my own build. Thanks!

Ted

As you have stated, and I have seen on my own fixture, the UV LEDs are still suspect. Im going to see how these new ones hold up. If all goes well Ill add some 405nm in the future.

 

[rickyb]

After installing one of the fixtures I added a couple of SPS corals to the tank. The fixture tops at 45% during the day for a few hours and both corals are growing at the base with small amounts of growth at the tips. A brownout birdsnest is turning green. So for me these lights are working.
6B, 8RB, 4UV, 6W per module.

 

[paperdesk]

As you have stated, and I have seen on my own fixture, the UV LEDs are still suspect. Im going to see how these new ones hold up. If all goes well Ill add some 405nm in the future.

Makes sense!

 

[SteJ]

Just getting my lights setup. Has anybody managed to get the RF remote working?

 

[chem368]

Yes, but the RF remote only works if the controller is not plugged in. Seems kind of pointless to me... I love the lights and the program capability, just don't see the logic/need for the RF remotes.

 

[MRCYCS805]

Yeah it stumped me too lol i took it apart looking to see where to put the batteries it seems it has to be pluged into a outlet or the fixture to work

 

[SteJ]

Yes, but the RF remote only works if the controller is not plugged in. Seems kind of pointless to me... I love the lights and the program capability, just don't see the logic/need for the RF remotes.

Eh?????

I would never have thought about trying that. but having the controller unplugged throws the light into some random configuration

oh well. the controller has more than enough options

 

[Gillguy]

Just getting my lights setup. Has anybody managed to get the RF remote working?

Stej Did you modify your canopy? Lets see some pictures.