Maxspect Razor experience

[Palting]

It's that time again. Time to replace 3 Metal Halide bulbs and 8 T5 bulbs on my light fixture. Not cheap to keep doing this, so I always start looking at options every time I have to do this. Again. Tank is 4 years old and doing well, so I hesitate doing anything, but still looking for something better/more efficient way to do it.

Looking for those with experience to chime in.

2 BIG factors I need to be considered.
1. The tank is SPS dominated. Translation: Needs a lot of light.
2. The tank is 27" tall. Translation: Needs deeply penetrating lights.

Currently looking at Maxspect Razor R420r, maybe get 3 of the 120W fixtures.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[zoomonster]

I considered them at one point, because of the mounting options, but there's a couple things that turned me off.
1) Supposedly they are unserviceable i.e. no replacing/upgrading leds or "pucks". LED's do lose PAR, LED's do burn out and I saw one manufacturer (who uses mostly Cree) say useful lifespan is 3-5 years and UV only 1.
2) They are not controllable with Apex etc.
3) I wanted mounting on tank but the hardware is a bit flimsy. Three would have been ok each standing alone on braces but 3 together, one piece, with the hardware sags.
4) Compared to others they are lacking in LED colors like red/green/yellow/uv. Do you need them? That's debatable.
5) I've seen them in action and was not impressed.

If you really want LED's (I stuck with MH/T5) I don't think it gets much better for the money than Hydra/Hydra 52 which short of Chinese stuff is the best price/performance deal out there IMO and its a better design than more $$ Radion. My new MH fixture with 3x250 and 4x80 T5 cost me $1k. Compared to the ~2400 I would have spent for 3x Hydra 52's + on tank mounting + Apex control module that's a lot of money for replacing bulbs yearly. Just don't buy the myth that your going to switch to LED and never spend money on lighting repair/replacement/upgrade again. "no more bulb replacement" is just an illusion i.e. If you own an AI Vega or SOL light you can now "upgrade to Hydra 52" for a mere $299 per light. Similarly Radion's G1/G2/G3 upgrade path is $150-$275 per light.

 

[Mark426]

IMO...Razors might not be the best choice for a deep tank. Hydra, Radion, etc, might be a better choice...but...$$$$

 

[coralsnaked]

Don't know what the degree of angle is on the razor, but I would think you need ~ 60 * or less on a 5 watt emitter to prnetrate a 27" depth. Usually find better penetration in pendants and my favorite bars. Even can find some real penetrating PARs these days.

 

[Palting]

Thanks for the input, all. Yeah, Razor has 90 degree reflectors, which kinda gave me pause. Will look into the other brands, too.

 

[anbosu]

Kessil 360 controllable would satisfy your needs I think. They are a little cheaper than the top end leds as well.