Mars Aqua Chinese LED review (Ebay)

garygonzales said:
yep you will be happy with the 300 watt...
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I have the 300w for my 40g breeder, and this will be my first reef tank. I picked this version rather than the 165w based on what I've read in this thread but now I'm concerned it will be too powerful for my purposes...

Basically I want to start out with some easy softies, LPS, an anemone and maybe a few clams. My concern is that the 300w will be too strong for these. SPS is something I'd like to do eventually, but not for a while as I want the tank to stabilize first.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
 
zelie_dad said:
Can I get some advice? I'm can't decide between 1 300 or 2 165's over my 40 breeder. Both seem viable, but I can't decide.
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Going against the grain, I would recommend two units Vs one simply for better flexibility and reliability down the road.
 
ginoandres said:
I have the 300w for my 40g breeder, and this will be my first reef tank. I picked this version rather than the 165w based on what I've read in this thread but now I'm concerned it will be too powerful for my purposes...

Basically I want to start out with some easy softies, LPS, an anemone and maybe a few clams. My concern is that the 300w will be too strong for these. SPS is something I'd like to do eventually, but not for a while as I want the tank to stabilize first.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

You do realize you can dim these right? there are 2 dimmers and you'll find most people do not run them full 100%.

Dimmable 300W LED Aquarium Light with Lens for each led.
Dimmer One(50 LEDs): 14 x Cool White 12,000k, 10 x Neutral White 7500k, 10 x Warm White 3500k, 4 x Red 660nm, 4x Green 520nm, 8 x Blue 460nm
Dimmer Two(50 LEDs): 20 x Royal Blue 450nm, 30 x Blue 460nm
Two Dimmers, two power cords and two on/off switches to control blue &white separately
 
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Ou8me2 said:
You do realize you can dim these right? there are 2 dimmers and you'll find most people do not run them full 100%.
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Yes, I see you can dim them but even then they're quite strong. A 40g breeder is a pretty shallow tank and I thought I read someone saying on here that even dimming these lights to like 10% was still burning their LPS/soft corals. If that's the case, I'd be concerned it's overpowered for what I want to stock.
 
ginoandres said:
Yes, I see you can dim them but even then they're quite strong. A 40g breeder is a pretty shallow tank and I thought I read someone saying on here that even dimming these lights to like 10% was still burning their LPS/soft corals. If that's the case, I'd be concerned it's overpowered for what I want to stock.
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If you hang them the Recommendation (Hanging 12"-16" Above water) You should be fine. 2 smaller units aren't going to be much different. The lights are actually undriven and a 300 is more like 216 and the 165 is like 120 give or take brightness.

Here is a video of a guy running the 300watt on a 40 breeder. His corals look pretty decent for a new light. Obviously you'll need to acclimate corals to a new light either way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgmyxpTzDy4

I'm going with the 300 cause less stuff hanging from my ceiling also ;) I'll be running no top with just a screen myself.
 
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Will a 300 watt work over a 75 gallon? I have a chance to trade my 2 bulb T5 and $60 for one. If anyone has one over a 75 can they post a pic?
 
Boggs said:
would I still get coverage on a 48" tank
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You would need 2- 165 watt to get proper coverage. The 300 Watt only covers a 38x24 and that is hanging them 12-16 inches above the water. The 165 covers 24x24 if I remember correctly, same height above the water. Also 2 165 watt are like 185..so only about 15.00 more vs 1 300watt.
 
Jumping in for some advice, I have a 29 gallon standard (30x12x18) and I use a quad T5 currently. I would like to convert to LED's and I'm looking at the 300 watt mars aqua ones. I don't have any SPS (neither I really plan on keeping any) but I have LPS softies and some zoas and a clam. Do you think the light would suffice (I strongly think it will)? Could I get away with the 165 watt? Also, what I'm really on the brink about is that the tank is good now and I'm afraid I might throw the balance off. Any advice?

Thanks!
 
I'm hearing good reports from these leds, Very nice. If I decided to use these in my canopy, the highest i could raise them would be 10". The tank is 24" deep. Will that be ok.
 
Boggs said:
what are the difference between the ones with the red switches and without?
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I'm not sure what you mean. The 300 Watt has 2 switches and then 165 Watt have 2 red switches for power.

s-l1600.jpg


s-l1600.jpg
 
I purchased 2 of the 165 for my 75 gallon tank. What height should I keep them at and also should I remove optics, change optics or just remove them? Thank you
 
gmcpickup66 said:
I purchased 2 of the 165 for my 75 gallon tank. What height should I keep them at and also should I remove optics, change optics or just remove them? Thank you
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They recommend 12-16 inches, but I have seen people use less around 10-12 inches. Removing the optics will give you more spread, but it won't penetrate as deep either. I think most people who remove the optics are those with shallower tanks.
 
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