Evolution LED Fixtures

[Kent D.]

I am considering buying Evolution LED Fixtures for my new tank build of my 125 gallon tank and wanted to see what everyone out there thinks of this product, good or bad.

Thanks

 

[Henry Colf]

I have 2 units coming in a week or two. From all of the threads i've read about them they seem to be worth the money. If you go to their website there's a few links to different sites where people are discussing them. Also from what i've read the par readings are pretty good. Hope this helps...

 

[Kent D.]

Thanks Henry. Kind of wished they were dimmable. What model did you get and what size tank are they going on?

 

[Henry Colf]

I got 2 of the 3g 20k units coming and their going over the 90 gal. They recommend 1 for every 2ft. you def. cant beat the price 299.00 plus shipping...

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I have one 120 G1 20k ordered and shipping in early april for my 40br frag tank. Chris told me to put it 10 inches from the surface for good spread. I will take pictures when i receive it.

 

[hellssephiroth]

I just got mine a week ago i went with the 100w 3g 20k got 2 of them for my tank, love them, absolutely love them.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

What size tank are you putting them on? And what types of corals do you keep?

Waffleman

 

[Kent D.]

Hellssephiroth,
Could you pm me your contact number. I want to talk to you about color etc. My concern is the pop. If I buy the evolution I will most likely go with the 120w 20k and Chris mentioned for a 6 foot tank that three would work. What is the difference between 1g and 3g? He said in his opinion that the 1g fan is quiter.

My other option is a three month old geismann fixture that is a 3x250 watt with four t5 bulbs. If I go this route I will not be able to use my canopy and will lose the nice look of the stand and canopy...


here is the tank so far.....I like the look with the canopy. If my tank was rimless I would go more with the geismann for sure but I have a rimless 90 now and this tank will be replaced in time with a 180.

i am torn right now with Evolution or the geismann fixture.....need help deciding. AI seems much nice unit than the evolution but price is too high to justify.

Thanks,
Kent

 

[Johnny C]

I'm not much of a fan of the ReefKoi LED Fixtures- mainly because they are cheap (mass produced/sold on chinese trade sites) fixtures that use poor LED components. One of the biggest myths about LED lighting (at least in this hobby) is that all of them are created equal, and that you'll get +/- 50,000 hours of life out of them. In reality there are many different brands of LEDs and components (Cree being the most popular and highly regarded) and the mass-produced chinese fixtures certainly don't use those. A few people I know own Evolutions and both have complained about the color spectrum of the white 'daylight' bulbs, saying that the tank has a slightly yellow hue with all of the LEDs on. It looks great with just the blues, though.

For $300, it's a decent light fixture. Would I expect it to grow corals for several years on a reef tank without issues? Not a chance. The best (again, in my opinion) plug-and-play LED light fixture on the market for Reef Aquariums are the AquaIllumination Sols, and many others must agree because they have been sold out on almost every website on the internet.

Like with many other things in this hobby (and in general), you get what you pay for. It's like comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes...

Kent, I would certainly check out that Giesemann fixture unless you can hold out for some AIs. I met the German spokesman at MACNA, they are serious about their aquarium products! Awesome new tank!

 

[jfl14609]

From what I read they are good fixtures. When Henry ordered his I checked them out as I want something for my 29. From what I read its like buying an aqua traders t-5 light yes they will work but its hit or miss as to how long and you definitely wont get the same par readings as a fixture with cree bulbs. but personally I think alott of these leds put out way more light than is needed in the first place. but the main thing is that this is a relatively new technology so time hasn't been there to prove them yet. Another question I would have is if a driver failed ca you just go buy a buckput ot a meanwell to replace it or is it something thats fixture specific

 

[Henry Colf]

The fixtures come with a 2yr. warranty. The warranty work is done in Colorado.

 

[Kent D.]

Thanks Henry, John and Jeff. I know that AI is the top dog with the best technology at this point. I can't justify the cost of AI units for this tank. At this point the cost of a retro T5 seems up there buying new so I guess I have to decide between Evolution or the three month old Geismann fixture and lost the canopy look.....

 

[jfl14609]

Honestly I have never seen the evolution but they seem like a good fixture and after switching to leds I must say I would never go back (unless this broke I doubt my wife would let me pay for another one)

 

[Kent D.]

Which one do you have Jeff?

 

[jfl14609]

I have a diy fixture with 3watt cree bulbs

 

[Paradiddle7]

CREE baby. Invested in it at $18. Went to almost 80, now sitting around 50. I'm still buying at these levels. I have 15 of their LR6 downlights in my house and they are amazing! The stock is going to 100-200 in the next 2 years.

 

[Hiltonc57]

Kent,

I just bought one that is gonna be going over my 40 breeder, it will be here tomorrow. If you are ever in the Rochester area, shoot me a PM and you can come take a look at it.

 

[Paradiddle7]

It's nice to see the prices of LED fixtures getting to the point that people are investing in them. Unfortunately, it is a chip; therefore, it will (and is already) a commodity. As economies of scale increase, prices will go down. The cool thing about LED's is that they are progressing faster than Moores Law (where micro processors double in transistor density every 18 months) In 1-2 years, the LED aquarium lighting will cost 50%-75% what it does now and will be 30%-50% brighter while using 10-15% less wattage.

It's a win/win situation for everyone. In 5 years, nobody will be buying anything but LED's except for the largest and deepest tanks. They are still a single point light source and require good optics to disburse the light.

 

[ariel47]

I ordered 3 120watt 20k for my 180 mixed reef. Waiting for them to come in. I'm replacing a Hamilton belize sun.

 

[Henry Colf]

getting mine this week...Woot..will start a thread after i get them mounted and the corals acclimated....