Has anyone hooked these lights up via apex VDM? I want apex to control the dim the lights!
chinese led lights
- Thread starter stevercleeze
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Has anyone hooked these lights up via apex VDM? I want apex to control the dim the lights!
Travis1787
Active member
Yea they have 55 leds but there both 120 watts the 55 3 watt leds aren't drive at 3 watts there driven slightly over 2 watts each so if in the end there both pushing 120 watts what's the differnce?
I like aqaurium leds cause I hear nothin.g but good reviews on them and there service even after you get your units...only a one year warranty though.... I have heard mixed reviews on all the other units in this thread....
Jk1138 has the taotonics on his frag tank and I saw it in person and really liked it color wise it very verrryy crisp looking and with the all blues on I was impressed as welli just don't trust the ebay seller to still be around when something goes wrong ... He got his at newegg.com and although its a tad more they seem more reliable if something goes wrong so its work the extra and its not even that much extra ....
I personally think the dimable feature is over rated unless you can control in on a timer or a computer but if its only hand adjusting I don't see the benifit expect for slowly kicking it up for a established reef tank to get the corals used to it
I like aqaurium leds cause I hear nothin.g but good reviews on them and there service even after you get your units...only a one year warranty though.... I have heard mixed reviews on all the other units in this thread....
Jk1138 has the taotonics on his frag tank and I saw it in person and really liked it color wise it very verrryy crisp looking and with the all blues on I was impressed as welli just don't trust the ebay seller to still be around when something goes wrong ... He got his at newegg.com and although its a tad more they seem more reliable if something goes wrong so its work the extra and its not even that much extra ....
I personally think the dimable feature is over rated unless you can control in on a timer or a computer but if its only hand adjusting I don't see the benifit expect for slowly kicking it up for a established reef tank to get the corals used to it
bigkenny76
New member
Morning Guys , ive been running the TaoTronics units for a little over 3 months now , i have them on top of the canopy and ive got chalices and zoes on the sandbed along with a large clam, everything is fine and responding well.i bought the 20k fixture , i like the color and look is really nice. i have 3 over my 220DT. 84x24x24.
My buddy has had hi fixtures a year... Still isn't running them full power from burning on some of his sps...
I like dimmers to keep a bluer tank...
And I haven't seen any complaints on the ever grow units I bought from aliexpress.com
And I don't trust sellers that only deal on eBay... No count they even exist after the sale...
I like dimmers to keep a bluer tank...
And I haven't seen any complaints on the ever grow units I bought from aliexpress.com
And I don't trust sellers that only deal on eBay... No count they even exist after the sale...
Travis1787
Active member
Well I don't mean like a full on huge fish pred tank but I deff want an eel and some triggers maybe or angels sps may not be an option but softies will be fine... They like water dirty anyway lol
I've had a reef tank for 4 years now and wanna try something diff ....
I've had a reef tank for 4 years now and wanna try something diff ....
Travis1787
Active member
Yea ianwraab is right I take that back I haven't heard bad things from ali express ... As long as they stick by there 3 year warranty theyy might be the best....
This is with the shipping back and forth to china after the first year if something goes wrong that could add up or you have to know how to install it on your own and they will send you parts but I guess that's better then being SOL lol
This is with the shipping back and forth to china after the first year if something goes wrong that could add up or you have to know how to install it on your own and they will send you parts but I guess that's better then being SOL lol
Travis1787
Active member
M
Which led ratio is considered the 20k unit from tao?
Which led ratio is considered the 20k unit from tao?
bigkenny76
New member
My guess is the ebay seller is just ordering them in bulk from china or drop shipping. They are not warranteeing them. They will tell you to return them to the manufacturer for service if it's after there 7 or 14 day return policy.
Anyone can sell on ebay even you. But they are warrenteed by the manufacturer. New Egg might have a 30 day return policy but after that they will probably tell you the same as an ebay seller.
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Travis1787
Active member
Yea as of now I am leaning towards these aliexpress ones or the aquarium leds one.....
Also sam emailed me and cleared up the coverage thing he is gonna email me back with an exact coverage area later but he said at around 15 inches on height it will cover a 24" long area. So my apology for my earlier post on the coverage of there units sounding poor it was a misunderstanding
Also sam emailed me and cleared up the coverage thing he is gonna email me back with an exact coverage area later but he said at around 15 inches on height it will cover a 24" long area. So my apology for my earlier post on the coverage of there units sounding poor it was a misunderstanding
***********************************************
6"
***********************************************
6" Centered (Blue ON, White ON) => 793
6" Centered (Blue OFF, White ON) => 203
6" Centered (Blue ON, White OFF) => 591
***********************************************
2"
***********************************************
2" Centered (Blue ON, White ON) => 1569
2" Centered (Blue OFF, White ON) => 382
2" Centered (Blue ON, White OFF) => 1183
Your PAR Ratings might bevery high on all of those, however they will be about 40% less once you actually put them above water. You lose a significant amount of Par as soon as the water reflects the light out.
TropTrea
New member
the above numbers are interesting. But it would be much more practical if the numbers were taken at various heights up to 30" above the sensor level. Then ploted to see what kind of spread those par numbers are creating.
What I find interesting though is that par numbers for Blues is higher than the PAr numbers for the whites? This fixture must have a lot more Blue LED's in it than white LED's. While that is good point remember PAR meters are generaly more sensative to red light than blue light. But corals love blue light more than red light.
Unfortunatly if you ran these same test also with three different brands of PAR meters you would probably get three different sets of numbers as well.
What I find interesting though is that par numbers for Blues is higher than the PAr numbers for the whites? This fixture must have a lot more Blue LED's in it than white LED's. While that is good point remember PAR meters are generaly more sensative to red light than blue light. But corals love blue light more than red light.
Unfortunatly if you ran these same test also with three different brands of PAR meters you would probably get three different sets of numbers as well.
So true
So true
I got the evergrow I figure worst case I can resell or use on a frag tank$$$$
But honestly... If I can build it then a manufacturing company can mass produce... Do you buy generic medication or pay 40% more or name brand?
Why do you think generic is cheaper... Not made under same US laws... Aka overseas or Canada... You care more for your tank then your body?
LEDs are simple stuff..they'd guys bought a schematic, bought a ton of material in bulk... Not they sell cheep to move product.
.some company's put a blue temp readout on there lights and charge $200 more look at the mid range models vs. the high range models...cuz it looks cool can cost a bunch too ya know...
So true
I got the evergrow I figure worst case I can resell or use on a frag tank$$$$
But honestly... If I can build it then a manufacturing company can mass produce... Do you buy generic medication or pay 40% more or name brand?
Why do you think generic is cheaper... Not made under same US laws... Aka overseas or Canada... You care more for your tank then your body?
LEDs are simple stuff..they'd guys bought a schematic, bought a ton of material in bulk... Not they sell cheep to move product.
.some company's put a blue temp readout on there lights and charge $200 more look at the mid range models vs. the high range models...cuz it looks cool can cost a bunch too ya know...
Well... That's just great
Well... That's just great
Ok ok ok...
I'm just haven a laugh...
Ianrusso.... Those are great pictures but can u please explain wat tea funk it has to do with cheep aquarium lights vs brand name fixtures?
Are those aquarium lights they are using?
If so what kind?
If not... Well great pictures anyway...
Well... That's just great
Ok ok ok...
I'm just haven a laugh...
Ianrusso.... Those are great pictures but can u please explain wat tea funk it has to do with cheep aquarium lights vs brand name fixtures?
Are those aquarium lights they are using?
If so what kind?
If not... Well great pictures anyway...
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I would not be holding out for that. Aliexpress is just a marketplace for 1000s Chinese manufacturers. If that manufacturer disappears/goes out of business/changes name. Good luck getting in touch with them. Personally I expect 0% customer service on anything I buy from China/HK.
To give you an example. I bought a remote controlled helicopter. It was bad out of the box. They said: okay ship it back. Its a 2 lb item. Cost $50. Shipping cost to HK by regular untracked mail is $25 or so from USPS. Now imagine you have to send a 20 lb light. Not discouraging completely, but just be aware.
bhazard451
New member
Does anyone sell a leg bracket for these? I'm not too fond of hanging it, and my tank is right up against a wall, so I cant use the Aquaticlife hanging stand kit.
Well maybe...
Well maybe...
Honestly I can't worry about that till it happens because I have been screwed by apple and best buy in the past... Ali marketplace processed the payment it but the led manufacture was in contact with me before and after the sale...they set up some customizations I requested ( Tao and eshine woulda laughed at me if I asked for that )
As with any major electronic purchase Gather info, make decision, hope for best...
Remember the Chinese are building what we are buying and there is a big market for LEDs grow lights in America and Canada...
I'm worked for years in logistics and CPU manufacturing If it's made in china and warehoused in America it's gonna cost more just because of that..Because the US retailer is importing and paying rent,utilities, and salaries (all cost more in America then china ) these company's pass that bill straight to the end customer.( still think you get what you pay for?)
If my fixture breaks I can buy a brand new fixture and still not have spent as much as a name brand would cost....
Lastly remember ALL OF THE FIXTURES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE MADE IN CHINA!TIWAN!OR JAPAN!
Ps... My light is 4 lbs and ill most likely ask for replacement parts to fix myself to save time and money... If your light gets damaged shipping back to manufacturer then it voids the warranty... Best to hand deliver or ask for replacement parts ...
Well maybe...
Honestly I can't worry about that till it happens because I have been screwed by apple and best buy in the past... Ali marketplace processed the payment it but the led manufacture was in contact with me before and after the sale...they set up some customizations I requested ( Tao and eshine woulda laughed at me if I asked for that )
As with any major electronic purchase Gather info, make decision, hope for best...
Remember the Chinese are building what we are buying and there is a big market for LEDs grow lights in America and Canada...
I'm worked for years in logistics and CPU manufacturing If it's made in china and warehoused in America it's gonna cost more just because of that..Because the US retailer is importing and paying rent,utilities, and salaries (all cost more in America then china ) these company's pass that bill straight to the end customer.( still think you get what you pay for?)
If my fixture breaks I can buy a brand new fixture and still not have spent as much as a name brand would cost....
Lastly remember ALL OF THE FIXTURES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE MADE IN CHINA!TIWAN!OR JAPAN!
Ps... My light is 4 lbs and ill most likely ask for replacement parts to fix myself to save time and money... If your light gets damaged shipping back to manufacturer then it voids the warranty... Best to hand deliver or ask for replacement parts ...
New forum for fixture mounting and ideas and product sites
New forum for fixture mounting and ideas and product sites
I got a new forum for the hanging and design of fixture mounting ideas.
This site (you guys) helped me locate a lot of sites and filter prices...
I wanna apply that to hanging ideas...
I'll be posting some ideas and diagrams soon so subscribe and post som pictures of your rack!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2167228&goto=newpost
New forum for fixture mounting and ideas and product sites
I got a new forum for the hanging and design of fixture mounting ideas.
This site (you guys) helped me locate a lot of sites and filter prices...
I wanna apply that to hanging ideas...
I'll be posting some ideas and diagrams soon so subscribe and post som pictures of your rack!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2167228&goto=newpost
blasto_master
New member
That is what I am talking about! I am kind of wary putting my led fixtures right on top of the egg crate, but at the same time I don't want to hang them from the ceiling. (looking for another way) P.S I love this thread!
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