chinese led lights

[Hoity]

Hello all, I am also looking to upgrade my 4 250w MH and 8 T5. After reading this thread and trying to absorb all the info in here. Would it be a correct assumption to state that 120w of LEDs is equivalent to a 250w MH.
I am looking at 2 lights with 88 or 80 x3w Cree LEDs. My tank is 104" x 30" x 26" even though I am from downunder I have used inches to save confusion.
I know Chicago and snausy have similar sized tanks, are you guys comfortable with the above statement and is 440w of led light enough to replace 1288w of MH/T5
Cheers
Jon

 

[Mr Neon]

UV/Violet 420nm is good for coral growth. What don't you like about the d120? My two should be arriving tomorrow.

D120 is not bad at all just like the Twilight for programability and more options for my taste in lighting. Sam was great to deal with on the d120 and sent me extra leds for free, 420nm violets and 10k whites.

 

[bhazard451]

So I have been planning on ordering two of these lamps for our 75g. Which manufacturer is putting out the best product? I don't mind paying a little more to make it last ect. At first I was thinking get the d120's but then I heard the a4s had better finned heat-sinks.

Who's currently making the best light?

I thought the Nova A4 was really good quality. I tried a d120 without optics and wasn't as impressed. The Nova heatsink is nice.

Next I'm trying the twilight group light with built in controller. Those supposedly have heatsinks, and you can ask for an aluminum housing. No one has gotten one yet to confirm the quality.

 

[bhazard451]

Hello all, I am also looking to upgrade my 4 250w MH and 8 T5. After reading this thread and trying to absorb all the info in here. Would it be a correct assumption to state that 120w of LEDs is equivalent to a 250w MH.
I am looking at 2 lights with 88 or 80 x3w Cree LEDs. My tank is 104" x 30" x 26" even though I am from downunder I have used inches to save confusion.
I know Chicago and snausy have similar sized tanks, are you guys comfortable with the above statement and is 440w of led light enough to replace 1288w of MH/T5
Cheers
Jon

I know what lights you are talking about. I wouldn't suggest getting them. They won't confirm which bin of Crees they are using, so they might not be true Crees.

If you start going over $300+ per light for a chinese fixture, you're better off buying a commercial fixture in the US with a better warranty.

 

[bhazard451]

Hello all, I am also looking to upgrade my 4 250w MH and 8 T5. After reading this thread and trying to absorb all the info in here. Would it be a correct assumption to state that 120w of LEDs is equivalent to a 250w MH.
I am looking at 2 lights with 88 or 80 x3w Cree LEDs. My tank is 104" x 30" x 26" even though I am from downunder I have used inches to save confusion.
I know Chicago and snausy have similar sized tanks, are you guys comfortable with the above statement and is 440w of led light enough to replace 1288w of MH/T5
Cheers
Jon

The basics

120w of QUALITY leds (at 2w or more each) can provide similar lighting as a 250w MH. Each basic light can cover around 24". 3 or 4 would be fine.

Use optics for a tank greater than 24" in depth.

A ratio of 2:1 royal blue to neutral white provides a 14k color. With Cool White leds, use a little less royal blue. Add some Violet actinic 420nm leds to each fixture for color pop. Any other color added does nothing for coral growth or health, but can bring out colors.

If you want to keep a few T5's, they provide excellent supplementation to leds.

440w of leds can provide similar results as 1288w, and provide lots of savings in electricity, less heat, and bulb changes.

MH/T5 may still be better, but the benefits of leds outweigh the cons of MH/T5 overall for me. The only way to know is to try it for yourself.

 

[Zoanut]

I thought the Nova A4 was really good quality. I tried a d120 without optics and wasn't as impressed. The Nova heatsink is nice.

Next I'm trying the twilight group light with built in controller. Those supposedly have heatsinks, and you can ask for an aluminum housing. No one has gotten one yet to confirm the quality.

Just waiting for my invoice now and will let everyone know how it is when I get it.

 

[biecacka]

My fear with the built in controller is if it goes bad the light stops working and ship back to china. Now I'm debating between a4 and d120 with optics. Sort of. Leaning towards a4
Corey

 

[bhazard451]

It looks like the the twilight lights are 10% off this week. That's a really good deal for a light with controller.

 

[darimont]

Just put an order in with Lyn. I'm looking forward to testing these out.

biecacka,
If the timer goes out, you can open it up and just bypass it until they send you out a new controller.

 

[biecacka]

Simon is convinced I need 2 lights but I think I need 3 as well. He says the spread in them is amazing but I have a 6ft tank w braces on it every 2 fr
Corey

 

[bhazard451]

Just put an order in with Lyn. I'm looking forward to testing these out.

biecacka,
If the timer goes out, you can open it up and just bypass it until they send you out a new controller.

I'll be comparing these directly along with the Apollo Reef Led Solarbrite fixture. I would have included the Nova A4 but I took mine apart already to build a DIY light out of it. The Apollo should be better, as they use higher quality actual Bridgelux leds, but I want to see how they both compare together.

Does anyone have a PAR meter I could borrow for a week, or know where I can rent one or get one cheap?

 

[darimont]

Simon is convinced I need 2 lights but I think I need 3 as well. He says the spread in them is amazing but I have a 6ft tank w braces on it every 2 fr
Corey

I also have a 6 footer. I just order 2 lights with the 90 degree beam to start with. My tank is a Marineland with only 1 center brace so I think 3 wouldn't work for me because the 3rd would be over the brace and cause a shadow. If 2 don't do it I'll order 2 more. When I get them I'll let you know how they cover.

 

[biecacka]

I need the 60* optics due to my 30inch tall tank. Are ppl using the dimmers? Wonder w a tank my height if no dimmer is really ok. Most my corals are near bottom and the light would be 36-38 inches off bottom of my tank. A few corals would be 14-18 inches away so maybe no dimmer is needed.
Who knows, it's a lot of no to process
Corey

 

[Chicago]

ok.. so here is the update on the 180 watt 3 channel.. the cost is around 250.00 without shipping.. added cost due to additional 30 leds, and aluminum housing.. i will post link.. in otherwords this unit will be around 315.00 delivered

 

[Mr Neon]

It looks like the the twilight lights are 10% off this week. That's a really good deal for a light with controller.

Bhazard..the Twilight fixture your ordered, what did you decide for your ratio and leds? I see the 10% off on the site and I am real tempted to order with Simon. I like my d120 but I really wanted a controller for my tank.

 

[wright4941]

Any growth pic updates from those that have been using these lights for an extended period of time out there??

 

[bhazard451]

Bhazard..the Twilight fixture your ordered, what did you decide for your ratio and leds? I see the 10% off on the site and I am real tempted to order with Simon. I like my d120 but I really wanted a controller for my tank.

LED Quantity 55pcs 3W bridgelux/epistar LEDs
optics 60 degree
spectrum ratio blue460nm:white14000k:red630nm:green515nm: orange610nm:violet400nm=34:15:1:2:2:1
control channels: Three channels, one for moonlight; the 2 other control daylight

It might be a bit bluer than I'd like, so I might have to lower the blue intensity a bit.

 

[Mr Neon]

LED Quantity 55pcs 3W bridgelux/epistar LEDs
optics 60 degree
spectrum ratio blue460nm:white14000k:red630nm:green515nm: orange610nm:violet400nm=34:15:1:2:2:1
control channels: Three channels, one for moonlight; the 2 other control daylight
It might be a bit bluer than I'd like, so I might have to lower the blue intensity a bit.

I may go that ratio as well but minus the red and green. The only other option I got from Simon was 6500k and 10k white instead of 14k. I have the 14k now on my d120 13 pieces/11 blue and it is much bluer. I do have my blue channel turned down just to even it out. I may swapped out the leds from Sam to see how it looks before I order one from Twilight. I should have them in Tuesday.

 

[AcroBluz]

I also have a 6 footer. I just order 2 lights with the 90 degree beam to start with. My tank is a Marineland with only 1 center brace so I think 3 wouldn't work for me because the 3rd would be over the brace and cause a shadow. If 2 don't do it I'll order 2 more. When I get them I'll let you know how they cover.

Here is what 2 d120's looked like on my 5ft tank. I think they have plenty of spread if they are not blocked by a brace

 

[bhazard451]

This is what a DIY Cree XT-E, Luxeon ES, Bridgelux Nova A4 looks like. I'm still cleaning it up to look acceptable, as it looks like a nightmare due to all the small strands needed for leds so close together. Took a few hours and I still have to wire the drivers in. The Nova's old optics and shield fit perfectly and screws in. It looks just like the Nova from the outside, so you cant see the mess inside.