Chinese LED Lights

[CAFoster5]

Always nice to see good growth pics.

bhazard, you seem to be a wealth of knowledge regarding LEDs so I have a couple of questions...
1. My tank is 48x17x18 with no canopy and will be in my livingroom parallel to my entertainment center. I keep getting conflicting info on whether I should get 90 or 120 degree. I know I will need 2 lights and I don't want shadows. But I dont want a ton of overspill into my livingroom or to burn out my corals (when I get them ) Whats your opinion on this??
2. My LFS only uses 50/50 B/W and so the added colors make me a little nervous. I don't like a heavy blue colored tank (to the eye) but I want good coral growth and definately want colors to "pop". So can to post a good layout for a D120 (assuming a 120 degree will be ok for me)?
Thanks in advance!!! :spin3:

 

[CAFoster5]

Do you want 20k at 100%?

Don't mean to "butt in" but can someone explaine the diff between 14000K and 20000K in "looks". Is one bluer in appearance than the other? One brighter? My LFS suggests 14000K in an LED but in all honesty I have no clue what that means. LOL Can you enlighten me??:spin3:

 

[CAFoster5]

I received two D120 units with this layout on Friday. So far I can't complain.

Here is a different view of the same layout.

Is there a reason people are chosing warm and neutral whites instead of cool whites? I'm a newbie and trying to figure all this out.

 

[bhazard451]

bhazard, you seem to be a wealth of knowledge regarding LEDs so I have a couple of questions...
1. My tank is 48x17x18 with no canopy and will be in my livingroom parallel to my entertainment center. I keep getting conflicting info on whether I should get 90 or 120 degree. I know I will need 2 lights and I don't want shadows. But I dont want a ton of overspill into my livingroom or to burn out my corals (when I get them ) Whats your opinion on this??
2. My LFS only uses 50/50 B/W and so the added colors make me a little nervous. I don't like a heavy blue colored tank (to the eye) but I want good coral growth and definately want colors to "pop". So can to post a good layout for a D120 (assuming a 120 degree will be ok for me)?
Thanks in advance!!! :spin3:

Without a canopy, and for a good spread without blinding yourself, Stick with 90 degree optics and hang them 6-10" off the water.

Get the lights from Reef breeders if you don't want to play with the led layout. The layout is very good and doesn't need tinkering.

Neutral Whites and Warm Whites add spectrum over cool whites which closer emulate the sun and MH lighting. With the right amount, they have a more appealing look than just cool white.

That LFS doesn't know what they are missing. The first d120s were also blue/white only. They were OK, but we all felt something was missing. Many of us tried many different layouts based on info gathered, and trying to emulate a MH bulb. The layouts in use now closely do so, and retain color in coral. There's always room for improvement though.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[noplay180]

100%

 

[CAFoster5]

Without a canopy, and for a good spread without blinding yourself, Stick with 90 degree optics and hang them 6-10" off the water.

Get the lights from Reef breeders if you don't want to play with the led layout. The layout is very good and doesn't need tinkering.

Neutral Whites and Warm Whites add spectrum over cool whites which closer emulate the sun and MH lighting. With the right amount, they have a more appealing look than just cool white.

That LFS doesn't know what they are missing. The first d120s were also blue/white only. They were OK, but we all felt something was missing. Many of us tried many different layouts based on info gathered, and trying to emulate a MH bulb. The layouts in use now closely do so, and retain color in coral. There's always room for improvement though.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I just had a nice long chat with someone from Evergrow and can get the d120 customized for $188/pc including shipping. Checking out Reef Breeders. Are they US? Easier to deal with?

 

[Prince916]

if i go with 1 D120 on my 40g what optics would i need. Planning on going sps in the middle and zoas, paly, and some lps on the side.

 

[bhazard451]

I just had a nice long chat with someone from Evergrow and can get the d120 customized for $188/pc including shipping. Checking out Reef Breeders. Are they US? Easier to deal with?

Reef breeders sells their fixtures, and gives a US warranty on them. I think its cheaper too. They have a sponsor forum on here.

 

[CAFoster5]

Reef breeders sells their fixtures, and gives a US warranty on them. I think its cheaper too. They have a sponsor forum on here.

Ok great! I will check it out. Thanks!!!!:spin3:

 

[BigRedNole]

Checking out the d120 and it120s. Not sure if I need 90 or 120 degree. I keep reading different opinions on that! GRRRRR. I'm going to be setting up a 63 gallon 48x17x18 mixed reef.

You are going to need 2 of each. My opinion is that you will be fine with 90* optics.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by Travis1787
At bigrednole hold the left arrow on the remote down pointing it at the unit ... the LCD screen should shut off and then do the same to put it back on

and BigRedNole
Perfect, thank you. It did the trick. The instructions got mixed in with a bunch of papers and got tossed. Not sure if this was in the instructions or not anyway.

Hey guys, thanks for the the tip on turning off the screen. The IT2040 I got isn't in a canopy and the screen was kind of annoying at night. I was starting to look into making a cover for the screen or installing a switch. So you helped out a lot. Thanks a bunch. It just goes to show you there ar no dumb questions.

 

[Deleted member 286866]

I just had a nice long chat with someone from Evergrow and can get the d120 customized for $188/pc including shipping. Checking out Reef Breeders. Are they US? Easier to deal with?

Just one DYI D120 or was the quote for multiple units as is normal with a group buy (gb)? It appears from your price ($188/pc) is for just a few, it makes a big difference in price if 12 or more (gb lower). If only one or two go with Reef Breeders it will be easier.

Also, based on my experience (5 DYI D120's) I would get 120* optics on any red and green LED's to minimize the disco effect mentioned in this thread by others.

 

[1Sik1500]

This is the layout i went with. Love it. Wouldnt change a thing accept going to 120* Optics

Some More photos I Snapped. All photos Taken with my GS3 no Editing.

 

[meshwheel]

I have a question if I may: Who's had these lights running on their reef tank the longest??? Thank you

 

[bhazard451]

I have a question if I may: Who's had these lights running on their reef tank the longest??? Thank you

There really isn't any one light. There are many, many variations from different chinese companies, and they all perform differently. I've been using these types of lights since last year, but I've gone through many different fixtures to try to find the best one for the price.

Most of us favor the Evergrow lights, because RC sponsors a US seller that sells them, and offers a US warranty on them. A lot of us have had good experiences with them, and both companies keep good communication.

There are lots of other chinese lights that can work just as well, but there haven't been as many people reporting on experiences. None of the lights are perfect, but they've gotten better over time with a lot of input from here. They're good enough that I trust them as my main lighting, even though I am building my own DIY fixture in the meantime.

 

[meshwheel]

bhazard451,
Thanks for the reply. I am still under the impression that LED's lack UV light. Not that they lack it completely, just not enough. I am thinking a combo fixture with LED and T5's may be the best route. This way, you get some good UV radiation into the tank as well.
I know they are getting better with the LED's. Just not quite sure if I want to take that risk or not.
I know ATI is coming out with just such a fixture and I think it's another big piece to the puzzle.

 

[meshwheel]

Does anyone have a Spectrometer to measure the UV radiation from UV's? I know someone has had to have done this. I would be most curious to see the results..........

 

[bhazard451]

bhazard451,
Thanks for the reply. I am still under the impression that LED's lack UV light. Not that they lack it completely, just not enough. I am thinking a combo fixture with LED and T5's may be the best route. This way, you get some good UV radiation into the tank as well.
I know they are getting better with the LED's. Just not quite sure if I want to take that risk or not.
I know ATI is coming out with just such a fixture and I think it's another big piece to the puzzle.

Most fixtures do lack it. It's not called UV though, as UV is anything 400nm and under. The violets used now are ~410-420nm. The older violets had a tendency to burn the optics they were housed in, which has since been corrected. I have to replace a few myself.

In the future, it might be possible to get 430nm-440nm leds in there too, to see if they work better than not having them. Actually, that just gave me an idea I'm gonna try some 430nm violets mixed in. They aren't available directly from these companies yet, but you can solder them in if you find them.

T5 and leds together would probably make an awesome combo. Nothing wrong with using a proven light source along with another.

If you're handy, there are plans to make a DIY spectrometer out there. Otherwise, its gonna be tough to find one without spending a lot of money.

 

[zland1]

Would two IT2080 be enough for my 96" x 24" x 24" tank it has a big glass center brace?
I don't think I will put corals in the center I'll make it more of an open swimming space, I just don't want to create a dark area.
would removing the len's from the end of each fixture in the center help with this?

Anyone?

 

[Prince916]

if i go with 1 D120 on my 40g what optics would i need. Planning on going sps in the middle and zoas, paly, and some lps on the side.

Anyone???