Maxspect R420r 180w thoughts

[LordDarth Bane]

G'day,

I have a 36"x18"x20" mixed reef tank with SPS, LPS and softies and I have been using T5 for 7 years.

I sometimes wanted to switch to "œLED only" for the "œcandy pop colour", lower running cost and the cleaner looking, but I was not sure if the LED technology was mature enough and I didn't want to be guinea pig.

After waiting for several years and seeing the LEDs being upgraded for several generations, I recently saw something from a friend's tank that I might like, the Maxpect R420r LED.

My friend is using the 1st generation model for his 24". I did some research and know that they have released the 2nd generation earlier this year, 15000k adding more colour LEDs to wider the spectrum. I am pretty interested in the 180w model.

So, any thoughts about this light? Is it good enough to do it on its own?

I know some earlier LEDs did not have the right spectrum causing some corals losing colours and needed to be fixed by using with T5. Have the new Maxspect models solved this problem yet? I have quite a lot LPS and brain corals such as Acans so keeping their colours would be my main concern.

Thanks.

 

[CafeReef]

tagging along, im looking into getting the cad lights 68g about the same dimensions as your tank and I am interested in this light too.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

I mix mine with T5 HO T5(6 , 54 watt lamps) to light up my tank.It is a better range of colour than just the LED unit,IMO.

 

[LordDarth Bane]

When it's on its own without turning on the T5 does the 2nd gen. 15000k "look purple"?

I had a quick play with my friend's 1st gen and it didnt look purple. However a LFS's and some Internet pics looks really purple. Maybe the A:B channel setting or the white balance of cameras?

I tried to find the 15000k on youtube but I couldnt find any in operation. Most are just those "talk only review".

Thanks.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

When it's on its own without turning on the T5 does the 2nd gen. 15000k "look purple"?

I had a quick play with my friend's 1st gen and it didnt look purple. However a LFS's and some Internet pics looks really purple. Maybe the A:B channel setting or the white balance of cameras?

I tried to find the 15000k on youtube but I couldnt find any in operation. Most are just those "talk only review".

Thanks.

I leave mine on automatic @ 100 %.The program is purple toward the end of the last 2 or 3 hours in the evening,but not throughout the day.In the end I prefer it when it is midday with the full intensity of blue and white lights.The purple does stand out at the end of the day in auto mode....but in the end the T5 lights have a nicer purple tone,side by side.