chinese led lights
- Thread starter stevercleeze
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Are Epistar and Bridgelux comparable LEDS? I don't know anything about LEDs except Cree are the best.
That looks like a nice light and that might be a winner for me also. It says 3w Epistar LEDs,Blue:White=2:1, would that be too blue. I asked earlier in a post and someone said b:w 2:1 might be too blue. I run 20k radiums now but I don't want it darker or bluer than that.
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-g...d-dimmer-LED-aquarium-lights-wholesalers.html
That looks like a nice light and that might be a winner for me also. It says 3w Epistar LEDs,Blue:White=2:1, would that be too blue. I asked earlier in a post and someone said b:w 2:1 might be too blue. I run 20k radiums now but I don't want it darker or bluer than that.
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-g...d-dimmer-LED-aquarium-lights-wholesalers.html
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Please be sure wherever else you posted this info that you bring light to the fact that aliexpress stole the pictures/design and broke a patent on this and you did not check your facts before stating this information. I'm still amazed that you've first sided with the Chinese...Since they never steal ideas, pictures, and infringe patents. Just wanted to bring this to light as it's not the same light, it's not dimable, laid out differently, and they even were too lazy to even take there own picture...
Here's a quick conversation initiated with Twilight Group on an inquiry for the light this morning:
I'm in no way affiliated with Apollo, just bought it and have had amazing customer service from a US based company that assembles the lights in the US. So far so good and I've had it running about 2 months on my frag tank. For an un-biased review, I've posted a review at following link:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2183870
Thread should be back on the right track after the de-railment with aliexpress copy. If anyone here has pictures or feedback on the fixture please come join:wavehand:
bhazard451
New member
I did jump the gun on that, and I do apologize for it. They are not the same lights and do not make the lights for Apollo Reef Led. I do appreciate the review thread you started on the lights to inform everyone how they are. They are well made, and I look forward to more reviews of it.
What doesn't change, is the fact that a similar light with a built in controller and dimmable moonlights can be had for $260 or less shipped direct from China in 3 days.
It all depends on what really matters to the buyer. If a higher costing but well made, US assembled with US servicing Apex dimmable fixture matters most to the buyer, the Apollo is the better choice. If cost per performance and customization is more of an issue, these are the better choice, as you can also choose what color spectrum you would like.
This is the inside of one of the Twilight lights. It uses a large power supply with small led drivers attached to it. The moonlight driver is on the left. You have the option to add a third driver for 3 channel 0-10v dimming via the controller. which is the pcb board up top. You can see the heatsink too, so they didn't skimp on the cooling. Led type and optics would be similar.
bhazard451
New member
All of these use the same bridgelux leds and 55x3w led layout running at 530-630mah.
The differences are:
Apollo
Uses Meanwell 0-10v drivers for power, multiple cords.
1 standard led layout, Non customization
Direct connection from DIM+ DIM- driver wires to ethernet port
Moonlights cannot be dimmed automatically
Must have an Apex or reef controller to use
$399
Twilight Group
Uses a Rubycon large power supply, with small 0-10v led drivers (they actually say PWM... hmm). 1 power cord.
Can create any led spectrum layout you desire
DIM+ DIM- wires connected to an lcd controller/timer/ sunrise/sunset dimmer
Moonlights automatically dimmable via controller
No need for Apex.
$260 or less shipped depending on quantity
Evergrow
No finned heatsink, (Nova models have finned heatsink)
Can create any led spectrum layout you desire
Manual dimming
Cheapest option, yet quality made.
~$165-185 per request (d120)
~$230-366 per Nova model (A4, A6, A8)
There are several other companies too, but these are the only ones I've seen the internals of.
The differences are:
Apollo
Uses Meanwell 0-10v drivers for power, multiple cords.
1 standard led layout, Non customization
Direct connection from DIM+ DIM- driver wires to ethernet port
Moonlights cannot be dimmed automatically
Must have an Apex or reef controller to use
$399
Twilight Group
Uses a Rubycon large power supply, with small 0-10v led drivers (they actually say PWM... hmm). 1 power cord.
Can create any led spectrum layout you desire
DIM+ DIM- wires connected to an lcd controller/timer/ sunrise/sunset dimmer
Moonlights automatically dimmable via controller
No need for Apex.
$260 or less shipped depending on quantity
Evergrow
No finned heatsink, (Nova models have finned heatsink)
Can create any led spectrum layout you desire
Manual dimming
Cheapest option, yet quality made.
~$165-185 per request (d120)
~$230-366 per Nova model (A4, A6, A8)
There are several other companies too, but these are the only ones I've seen the internals of.
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bhazard451
New member
They said mine would be ready by next Saturday, so you might have to wait a bit.
bhazard451
New member
With shipping, optics, 3 dimmers, customized leds?
Chicago
New member
Ok new twist. These twilight units most hold 55led. But u can order them with 80 led. 180 watt. Only issue is due to space. Can only do 60 degree optics. I will put it over a 31 inch deep tank. By 31 inch wide. Would I be beter of with 60 over the 90 degrees any ways. If so maybe for few buck more I get some more LEDs in there
I got both of my light fixtures today. They were shipped on this Monday and I got them today, Wednesday only two days in transit from Hong Kong through DHL. My first impression of these fixtures after I opened both boxes was the fixture was well built and appeared to use a good material, imo. The factory did a very damn good job on the packaging and provided a very good protection for the light from getting tossing around, during logistics.
I did a quick functional test on both fixtures, and they both fired up very nicely. I was surprised to see how bright these leds lit up when I turned it up to 100%. These leds are super super bright...it hurts your eyes if you look at them long enough.
I have to figure out how to hang both of these fixtures on my 48" long tank this weekend.
I did a quick functional test on both fixtures, and they both fired up very nicely. I was surprised to see how bright these leds lit up when I turned it up to 100%. These leds are super super bright...it hurts your eyes if you look at them long enough.
I have to figure out how to hang both of these fixtures on my 48" long tank this weekend.
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Zoanut
New member
bhazard451
New member
They can fit 80 in there? Wow that's kinda nuts, but cool at the same time.
I got these fixtures from EverGrow. 32Royal blues + 4 Violet + 19 Whites, 90 degree led angle with no optic lens.
biecacka
Active member
Bhazard here is my fixture I'm thinking of buying
blue460nm:white10000k:white14000k:UV400nm: moonlight460nm=35:10:5:2:3
I checked the shipping cost for 2pcs aluminum lights, it is 90USD, shipped by DHL.
*
So the product unit price will be $188+$20=208USD/pcs.
*
And total amount for 2pcs is 506USD.
Corey
blue460nm:white10000k:white14000k:UV400nm: moonlight460nm=35:10:5:2:3
I checked the shipping cost for 2pcs aluminum lights, it is 90USD, shipped by DHL.
*
So the product unit price will be $188+$20=208USD/pcs.
*
And total amount for 2pcs is 506USD.
Corey
bhazard451
New member
Sounds fine to me. Post pics and thoughts once you get them.
Tater11
New member
thanks for clearing that up justin.I've dealt with Joe at Apollo for awhile now great guy and great lights getting my 4th one next week sometime
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