chinese led lights

[Boxfish]

Wow this thread just keeps on going! I got interested in LEDs when this thread was still single digits. I did alot of looking around both here and in China and found a bunch of stuff that people seem to be ordering know with great success which is good. But after looking into the cost and led options and being able to customize I still felt it was cheaper to go DIY. So thats what I did. I had a TON of help from TropTrea (Dennis) he was great in designing a set up that fit my needs. You can check my link here if your interested.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2145595
For my 180 I would need at least 3 units from China and not having the exact lights I wanted without paying more money.
I ended up running 5 drivers four which are dimmable and 16 leds per driver with the ability to add more if I want to tweek etc.
Anyway here are a few pics that im running at 50% until the few corals I have get used to the light. Everything so far seems to be liking them.

 

[AcroBluz]

I just got my notice that my lights have shipped. I will post pics when they arrive.


Speaking of the controllable $300 light. I do think that might be a cost effective option if you wanted he control and didn't have an Apex or something else.

 

[bhazard451]

Wow this thread just keeps on going! I got interested in LEDs when this thread was still single digits. I did alot of looking around both here and in China and found a bunch of stuff that people seem to be ordering know with great success which is good. But after looking into the cost and led options and being able to customize I still felt it was cheaper to go DIY. So thats what I did. I had a TON of help from TropTrea (Dennis) he was great in designing a set up that fit my needs. You can check my link here if your interested.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2145595
For my 180 I would need at least 3 units from China and not having the exact lights I wanted without paying more money.
I ended up running 5 drivers four which are dimmable and 16 leds per driver with the ability to add more if I want to tweek etc.
Anyway here are a few pics that im running at 50% until the few corals I have get used to the light. Everything so far seems to be liking them.

Yeah, that looks awesome. What drivers/leds did you use? Total cost?

I think its the perfect time to jump into leds. There are so many nice tanks with them lately, and the pros of leds make it so worthwhile.

 

[Boxfish]

Heres what I got from Rapid then Aluminum channel and bolts and chain and wire were a little over 100 bucks so Im into this about 550. And to be honest I sold about half the fish stuff I had lying around and that paid for half of it.

24 x CREE XP-E Blue 3W LED $86.40
1 x Mean Well LPC-35-700 constant current driver $16.00
2 x Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive $14.00
4 x Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver $136.00
1 x DC Power Connector $3.50
20 x CREE XP-E Royal Blue 3W LED $68.00
1 x 10V AC Adapter $10.00
16 x CREE XP-G Neutral White 3W LED $80.00
Total $413.00

So I think Im better of DIY compared to what is being sold as far as making it what I want. Its still upgradeable I can swap out what I want when I want.
If new leds come out that are better I could swap them all out with new in about an hour for just the cost of the LEDs versus buying a new unit. Ive always just done DIY you save thousands. If you can go that route I would suggest it.

 

[bhazard451]

It actually works out to be cheaper with the pre-built unit over DIY for me. The only thing needed for things to be perfect would have been 0-10vdc drivers included.

48x Bridgelux leds (RB & CW) = ~$96
2x Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver= ~$70 (wiring in parallel)
48x optics = ~$24
Heatsink, fans, hanging kit, thermal paste, pots= ~$60

=$250
This is before any sales tax or shipping.

Considering overnight shipping from Hong Kong is built into the $230 price on my Nova unit, the value is outstanding. Only way to beat it is possibly with a DIY kit from China.

 

[Boxfish]

How bigs your tank?

 

[bhazard451]

How bigs your tank?

24x20x24. It's a nano, Red Sea Max 130D.

 

[boz151]

Been following this thread for some time now, and am getting ready to order 3 x A6 units for my 180. Probably a stupid question, but what is the difference between the UV and the Violet color spectrums? Is the UV closer to the old Actinic VHO "Purple" bulbs?

 

[biecacka]

Can't you put optics on a 30inch tank to get the penetration?
Corey

 

[Boxfish]

yea so a single Chinese light in any form is a good deal for you.. But with mine I need 3 so Im definitely saving some money. But I will say this I think your spending to much on the DIY. 48 leds seem like way to much for the size tank you have, 28 or so would still be alot with some 3w cree's

 

[bhazard451]

yea so a single Chinese light in any form is a good deal for you.. But with mine I need 3 so Im definitely saving some money. But I will say this I think your spending to much on the DIY. 48 leds seem like way to much for the size tank you have, 28 or so would still be alot with some 3w cree's

Yep, the bigger the tank, the more DIY benefits cost wise.

"Bridgelux" leds are weaker than Crees, so you need more to get the same output. They are also being run at around 2.5w / 580mah to increase lifespan, because they produce more heat at 3w than a Cree. It comes out to about the same or less cost wise, and a benefit of it is increased spread having more leds.

 

[Travis1787]

Can't you put optics on a 30inch tank to get the penetration?
Corey

Yea other people have used these on 30 tank you just need touse the 90 degree lenses for better penetration. And this is with the cheaper d120units

 

[bluesox_68blues]

hi, so i got to page 20 the looked at the time so I figured I would just come out and ask. Have these lights proven good over the last 50 pages and can someone provide me a link for the best budget one under $200 for my 40g tall? I have 24'' width to work with under the canopy and want to grow most things excluding acros?

Thanks so much.

 

[Travis1787]

How tall is the tank?

Ill post a link in a bit but I think these aliexpress units are the best bang for your buck deff under 200 shipped to your door free and with dimmers one is pleanty for your size tank the unit is 165 or your can custimize the led ratio how YOU want them for a 14 dollar fee which is great! Mine should be there this week!

 

[bluesox_68blues]

Thanks for your help! 24L 18W 20T I think thats 40gallons right? What led combination are most people going with that still has pop?!

 

[Amoore311]

Any ideas for a 36 x 36 x 18H?

I'm strongly considering foregoing the whole apex control aspect at this point.


Edit: SPS need to be ok growing on the bare bottom glass as well.

 

[bluesox_68blues]

How tall is the tank?

Ill post a link in a bit but I think these aliexpress units are the best bang for your buck deff under 200 shipped to your door free and with dimmers one is pleanty for your size tank the unit is 165 or your can custimize the led ratio how YOU want them for a 14 dollar fee which is great! Mine should be there this week!

Any Ideas? Thanks Just afraid of getting the wrong one

 

[Travis1787]

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/317...quarium-lights-with-30-blue-and-25-white.html

This is the unit I was talking about this is the one igot but with a different led combo. This one has 30 blues 25 whites but mine I made my own combo of 30 blues 21 whites 4 violets

I don't know what look you like or are looking for so its hard for me to tell you what combo to go with

 

[Travis1787]

My light is coming today!!!!! Not bad at all took 6 days to get here and that's with memorial weekend .... Can't wait ... Man work is gonna drag today haha

 

[jgraz]

Which light would you guys recommend for a standard 65 gal. 36"x18"x25". I'm undecided between LED and T5. Thanks guys