chinese led lights

[bhazard451]

Wow, I cannot tell you how much this thread has helped me. I am still all over the place on what I want to buy but this has definitely help lead me in the right direction. Thanks all!

Definitely take time in deciding what you want. Even though there are way too many posts, try to follow the experiences of others in how to pick the led colors and features you want. Some fixtures may look good with a certain ratio, where it looks completely different on another because of different leds used. I tried quite a few fixtures and built my own, and each have been vastly different from each other.

The unique part about these is the customization, which is pretty cool. Ecotech would probably laugh at you if you told them you wanted to switch out their greens for warm whites or violets in the Radion you wanted to buy.

 

[Zoanut]

They apologized and they're going to try to work with me on it. I appreciated that.

When I get the time, I'm going to try a few things to fix it up. I really like the built in controller, and the blue channel is plenty powerful. The whites aren't as powerful though, so more need to be used here. This is different than other fixtures I've tried, including my DIY fixture.

Just be specific in the layout of how you want the leds, and things should be ok. The default is a vertical pattern of leds, when a horizontal pattern would blend better. Use closer to the 30:25 ratio instead of 2:1 on them. Use the 90 degree optics they have as well, because they are a bit better.

Its too late for me as I have already paid for it and it should be sent tomorrow after waiting 9 days for it to be built. This is what I ordered:

Aluminium case, 60 degree optics, 3 channels
1> First channel for white (mix of 6500k and 10000k) 25pcs (15pcs 6500k & 10pcs 10000K)
2> Second channel for blue and royal blue 27pcs (10pcs Royal Blue 460nm & 17pcs Blue 440nm)
3> Third channel for moonlight (royal blue 460nm) 3pcs

I hope it is just a fault in your one and not all of them. Sorry if that sounded bad :lol2: if they are that dull I wonder how hard it would be to swap over my bridgelux LEDs into this fixture and if the len's would still fit.

 

[livingseas]

wow that sucks on the twilight unit. I was just about to submit
my order tonight. I'll hold off and look for other solutions.

So what other companies shold I be looking at that have a controller?

I am planning on a reef angel at some point. Can the d120's be cheaply
modified to run off it?

When is evergrow coming out with a controller based unit? I wasnt in a
rush to buy the reef angel, so a dedicated lighting controller on the lights would be great to get started.

 

[bhazard451]

Its too late for me as I have already paid for it and it should be sent tomorrow after waiting 9 days for it to be built. This is what I ordered:

Aluminium case, 60 degree optics, 3 channels
1> First channel for white (mix of 6500k and 10000k) 25pcs (15pcs 6500k & 10pcs 10000K)
2> Second channel for blue and royal blue 27pcs (10pcs Royal Blue 460nm & 17pcs Blue 440nm)
3> Third channel for moonlight (royal blue 460nm) 3pcs

I hope it is just a fault in your one and not all of them. Sorry if that sounded bad :lol2: if they are that dull I wonder how hard it would be to swap over my bridgelux LEDs into this fixture and if the len's would still fit.

You have more whites in yours than I put in mine, so it actually should look just fine.

 

[biecacka]

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

 

[livingseas]

Zoanut, Please post your impressions when you get them.
They are a good deal but if they dont work right..

 

[chlwodud85]

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

Pictures say a THOUSAND words ^^ :spin1:

 

[Techbiker]

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

What set up did you use? Colors

 

[Hoity]

Just received confirmation on my new lights from Twilight with the LCD display.

Australia cord with black aluminium case and 60 degree optics and holders
3w Epistar LEDs
Blue 450~460nm
Blue 460~ 470nm
Blue 430~ 440nm
White 20000K
White 14000K
Green 520nm
Red 630nm
Channel 1= 14 White 20000K,6 white 14000k 2 red 630 nm, 2 green 530nm, 1 uv 400nm
Channel 2= 21 blue 470nm, 6 blue 440nm,
Channel 3=3 blue 460 nm


Zoanut
Mine appear similar to yours, mine were being posted today.

Bhazard
I sent an email this morning to lyn about the fact somebody on a reef forum had received lights from twilight that he wasn't happy with, every little bit of feedback they get can only help us all. Your post made me a little concerned.

 

[Zoanut]

Just received confirmation on my new lights from Twilight with the LCD display.

Australia cord with black aluminium case and 60 degree optics and holders
3w Epistar LEDs
Blue 450~460nm
Blue 460~ 470nm
Blue 430~ 440nm
White 20000K
White 14000K
Green 520nm
Red 630nm
Channel 1= 14 White 20000K,6 white 14000k 2 red 630 nm, 2 green 530nm, 1 uv 400nm
Channel 2= 21 blue 470nm, 6 blue 440nm,
Channel 3=3 blue 460 nm


Zoanut
Mine appear similar to yours, mine were being posted today.

Bhazard
I sent an email this morning to lyn about the fact somebody on a reef forum had received lights from twilight that he wasn't happy with, every little bit of feedback they get can only help us all. Your post made me a little concerned.

Simon told me they only had Blue 450~460nm and Blue 460~ 470nm plus 20K whites aren't really white at all. Hmmmmm somethinng doesn't seem right here.

 

[Mr Neon]

Simon told me they only had Blue 450~460nm and Blue 460~ 470nm plus 20K whites aren't really white at all. Hmmmmm somethinng doesn't seem right here.

12k in my D120, very bright but not "white" Has blueish tint. 14K and 20K will show more of a blue spectrum colorwise. Think of it as having a 20k MH bulb, then pair that with more blue actinics in the 450-460nm range. You will get too much blue...at least for my taste.

 

[Chicago]

Ok. I have been reading since like page 90 over past weeks. Bgazard451. U have put so much into this thread with info and more. U clearly have spent a lot of time on this. I almost think of you as heading up consumer reports on led Chinese made. Not taking away from the others who have also placed a lot of info on this thread. I just had to note if I followed correct. Bhazard you'd have like reviewed nova, a4 or like the a6, the d120 and now twilight. Thanks to. And all the others here. If some one told me there's was a PayPal account to donate to for all the info here for guys like bhazard to review them ect I have no problem throwing some $ in the pot.

I asked Simon at twilight. To be specific with the unit I was looking at. I'm lookingz at a similar one buta packs 80 LEDs instead of 55 instead. Optics 60 degree. I explained to Simon I was concerned that he would not respond correctly to bhazards situation. I hope as a group we can convince these sellers they have to back up the product. Waiting now to see what Simon says . Ai asked him which whites are brightest and to send pics ect. Can it be epistArs bin ect not as bright as bridgesluck.
??

Thanks to all u guys. For the info. Sorry for the miss spelling. Pain typing on iPad

 

[headstrong]

Definitely take time in deciding what you want. Even though there are way too many posts, try to follow the experiences of others in how to pick the led colors and features you want. Some fixtures may look good with a certain ratio, where it looks completely different on another because of different leds used. I tried quite a few fixtures and built my own, and each have been vastly different from each other.

The unique part about these is the customization, which is pretty cool. Ecotech would probably laugh at you if you told them you wanted to switch out their greens for warm whites or violets in the Radion you wanted to buy.

I've been chatting via e-mail with Jason about your situation. Hopefully they make things right as best they can. I'm torn, because I actually like the controller they include with their light, so I really want to give them a try. Just concerned what I'll get is not what I expect. Based on your pics of the light they sent I've changed my layout a bit to compensate for the dimmer white led's. Here is what I just sent back to Jason:

 

[bhazard451]

I may try the Houyi light next, as no one seemed to pick one up yet. The Pharos light is too expensive to try over a Maxspect R420r.

 

[bhazard451]

I've been chatting via e-mail with Jason about your situation. Hopefully they make things right as best they can. I'm torn, because I actually like the controller they include with their light, so I really want to give them a try. Just concerned what I'll get is not what I expect. Based on your pics of the light they sent I've changed my layout a bit to compensate for the dimmer white led's. Here is what I just sent back to Jason:

That layout would be fine. They told me they don't have 420nm violet though. They use 400 or 440 and it doesn't look as good as a 420. I had to choose 400.

 

[headstrong]

That layout would be fine. They told me they don't have 420nm violet though. They use 400 or 440 and it doesn't look as good as a 420. I had to choose 400.

Well, nix that idea. Apparently they cannot make the light in that horizontal layout unless they build a new PCB for over $150 additional.

 

[bhazard451]

Well, nix that idea. Apparently they cannot make the light in that horizontal layout unless they build a new PCB for over $150 additional.

Keep it blended vertically then. They didn't and used two banks of blue to one bank of white on mine, which is why the outside of the tank is blue. Then there is the red led on the other side of the tank making it look red. Its a poor design choice unless you keep it at 1 blue row to 1 white row, with any other leds mixed in evenly spaced out.

 

[nebraskareef]

Does anyone have a lead on some China's that are apex VDM dimmable? I've been looking but can't track it down. I've seen the taotronics 120w blackbox and we've measured good par and have gotten good growth and color out of it on a frag tank, however I want more control for my display.

If I can't source them reasonably for a 180g display I will go with a DIY multichip build.

Thanks guys!

 

[Chicago]

View attachment led 80 piece twlight layout.pdf

here is what they suggested to me on my 80 piece led

 

[nebraskareef]

Wow that is quite the mix!