LED's: brand name VS off brand, big difference?

[keh9qd]

I have been contemplating on whether or not its worth it to spend $479- $650 on a name brand LED light (AI Sol, ecotech radion) and scrap my off brand LED light (Eshine).

The most important to me is performance for the money. When looking at a tank lit by an AI light vs an equivalent eshine light I can tell very little difference. That isnt to say that there isnt a difference. I realize quality and capability come with the price tag on the AI lights but I would like to know if there is a big performance difference?

The 72w dimmable eshine light for $150 comes with basic dimming knobs and bridglux leds and the AI has a sophisticated controller and cree bulbs. Despite all of the bells and whistles of the pricey lights at the end of the day will there be better performance, that is coral growth and happiness from a name brand fixture. If so are we talking a big difference or little?

Whats your opinion and why?

 

[Ron Reefman]

It really depends on 2 things as I see it.

1) What is it you really want from your led fixture? Enough PAR to grow any corals... sure, we all want that. What are the features of the high end fixtures (Eco Tech Radion and AI) that you want, and why do you want them? Just what does that sophisticated controller get you at the end of the day? If you want the ultimate in control and are willing to pay for it, then you know these are your brands. BTW, I had a Radion for a year and it hooked me on leds as I was solidly a MH user.

2) What is the other end of the spectrum? There is cheap junk like TaoTronics with no lenses and noisy fans. Lets forget them. How about fixtures that look the same but are better made like EverGrow and Reef Breeders. But you are still working with dimmable fixtures. Nothing wrong with that, it's really important to have that dimming ability. But if you want a bit more, there are well built fixtures that are just as well made as the Eco Tech and AI (IMHO) and have some of the control ability without going crazy, over the top, and at a reasonable price.

I like the Eco Tech Radion for many reasons, but it had 3 things I didn't like. I hated having to hook up my laptop computer to make changes in the lighting... that's a major PITA to me. It cost way more than I think it's worth (that's a personal issue). And it ran hotter than I think it should for an led fixture.

So I bought EverGrow (Reef Breeder) fixtures. I got the basic dimmer versions for my QT and frag tank, and I got the IT series (RB Photon) for my 2 DT's. The new EG light puts out the same PAR as the Radion over my frag tank. It runs much cooler (room temperature in fact) and I didn't need the control ability of the Radion over a frag tank. Again, that's a personal choice. I can understand why some people feel they need or want that level of control, I don't. My corals grow just fine without it. The IT series fixtures are over my 2 DT's. I want the ability to alter the colors in the tank so dimmers would work, but I look at these tanks all day and I really like being able to ramp up a sunrise and ramp down a sunset. So the amount of control the IT series timer offer me was perfect. Enough control to do what I wanted to do and still not crazy expensive and no computer required.

The short version is; the high end stuff has a bit more ability and maybe a touch more style (really in the eye of the beholder though), but IMHO you pay through the nose for it. The well made Chinese fixtures like EG and RB work very well, grow coral just as well, make your tank look just as good (or close enough for me) and save you a boatload of money.

I would have needed 3 or 4 Radions for my 180g DT (it has a wide glass center brace which I don't want to put a fixture over). That would have cost me $2250 to $3000. I did 2 EG IT2080's for under $700. It's a no brainer in my book. If you really think the Eco Tech or AI is better, that's perfectly OK with me, it's your money. I'd rather spend mine on coral, fish and snoreling trips to the Florida Keys.

 

[cap032]

I lit my 125 with 2 Razors which I got for approx $870 (10% discount). Granted, they dont have the control level of AI or Ecotech. However, like Ron with the Reefbreaders, these fixtures had what mattered to me. Essentially, the money I saved vs AI or Ecotech lighting paid for 2 MP40s and a Reef Dynamics bpr.

 

[smkooq]

If money is an object for you, then you know what fixture you should get. If money is no object for you, you know what fixture you should get.

As Ron states. There are people who likes to use the fluffy $5 toilet papers. Then there are people would would rather buy the $1 toilet paper and get some candy with it. Both can do the same thing.

Since your contemplating on buying a premium fixture. The real question you should ask yourself is, do you want a premium fixture? Because if not, there are a few generic Chinese fixtures that people are having success with that you should look into instead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[that Fish Guy]

If money is an object for you, then you know what fixture you should get. If money is no object for you, you know what fixture you should get.

As Ron states. There are people who likes to use the fluffy $5 toilet papers. Then there are people would would rather buy the $1 toilet paper and get some candy with it. Both can do the same thing.

Good Point.

Since your contemplating on buying a premium fixture. The real question you should ask yourself is, do you want a premium fixture? Because if not, there are a few generic Chinese fixtures that people are having success with that you should look into instead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[keh9qd]

Thanks guys for the responses. I already have an eshine fixture which is decent. I have owned 3 of them now. I do see the benefits of the high end fixtures compared to what im using, I guess my fear is to spend the cash and not see a big difference somewhere.

I currently have a 40 breeder. Does anyone know whether the AI Sol fixture or the radion has a wider coverage?