Mitras 6200HV LED Review

[HurricaneSystem]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to start a new thread and give an honest review of the Mitras 6200HV LED fixture. I also wanted to split this out of any other thread with my comparisons to other brands of LED's. The Mitras is my end choice for LED's so that should tell you something.

As most of you know, I have had almost every brand of LED that is out. I have a 60 gallon, Deep Blue Cube that I am using the Mitras over.

The most important part of this review is the communications with GHL North America, real world results, PAR readings, etc. I want to post this so that others can look at it when trying to decide on an LED for their tank. With all the options available, it is a daunting task.

I want to list the pro's and con's of the Mitras. I am a very discerning buyer and probably more picky than most when it comes to a product.

Long story short, my cube suffered a change in lighting. Through a process of numerous LED's, I recovered my tank and overall coral health. They now look great and the tank is in the best shape it has ever been in.

I started by emailing GHL North America (Michael Hall) in Canada. Good communication is an absolute must to me and Michael answered emails with lightning fast response. Every question I had he was able to answer very quickly.

When I received the Mitras, I was surprised to see that it comes with it's own hanging kit. I had a previously installed hanging kit, but had to change the wires as the GHL wires are a bit skinnier. Another nice addition to the Mitras is the wire hanging connectors. They screw right down on top of the Mitras and make it very easy to hang.

The only issue I ran into was Windows 8. I have a new Alienware laptop and when I first plugged the Mitras in, it would not recognize the USB. Come to find out, I did not have the latest version of the software. Once I updated to the latest version, everything worked great.

The Mitras is not plastic like most fixtures. It is all metal and has an incredible power cord that looks very well protected and like it could survive the apocalypse! The cord from the light locks with another cord that is connected to the ballast. The power cord comes out of the top of the light, so leaving a little slack and using a zip tie to hold the cord evens the light out perfectly.

The LED readout on the side of the fixture is very easy to use, responds well to touch, and gives you every possible metric you can imagine without using the PC software.

The PC software is very intuitive and it is incredibly easy to program a lighting schedule. I had 8 points set up for sunrise through sunset in the span of 30 minutes and the light was up and running. It is not on a time graph like some software that is out. You select the time of day, the intensity, the color spectrum, etc. and just click to add to your overall program. Just a very simple setup.

The Mitras comes set to run High Efficiency mode. I changed mine to High Output mode and I am running the overall power at 90%. This is not the overall intensity of your lighting spectrum, just the overall output of the fixture power. As I said before, I have many different spectrums set up throughout the day. The highest I have any spectrum set to is 70%. Be very careful as anything higher right out of the gate would probably result in some bleached corals that would like to run for cover!

Another thing I noticed right after start up, was the ability of the Mitras to mimic a Metal Halide fixture. The spectrum, the shimmer, everything can be made to look like your favorite MH. The 8k spectrum looks the most "daylight" and does not have a hint of yellow or dingy color at all.

Now for the good part. The PAR numbers, etc. Before I get to that, I need to say that I had a Crocea clam a couple of weeks before getting the Mitras. It is a blue and green Crocea. The color of the clam was simply blue before the Mitras. It was coming out quite a bit, but after the Mitras, it has come out fully and the green started showing up almost immediately. I was very pleased with that.

I also have a gold and purple wall hammer coral that has always just looked gold. Now I can see the purple in the hammer like it should be. The Mitras has brought the color of all the corals out to a tremendous level. The corals also extend further than they ever have before. I also have an SPS (Acropora Speciosa) that was always a pale white color. After the addition of the Mitras, it has come back to it's original Sea Foam green with yellow polyp tips.

I took the following readings with my Apogee 200 PAR meter. REMEMBER, this is only at 90% output and at 70% intensity level. The 70% is at 13k as well. I took these with all pumps off, water very still.

Mitras 6200HV @ 70% overall intensity

3000 PAR "“ Directly under Mitras
1450 PAR "“ 10" under Mitras
775 PAR "“ 1" under water surface
375 PAR "“ 12" under water surface
200 PAR "“ 24" under water surface "“ Sand Bed

Now in another thread, I took the PAR readings of another fixture that I was using. That was at 100% and these numbers are almost exact, and sometimes better, at 70% intensity. Plenty of PAR from the Mitras LED.

The coverage is excellent as well, it covers my 24 inch cube perfectly. There is very little "spillage" as well. The reflectors on the LED's are more precise than any fixture I have had.

The fixture runs very cool and there is no heat that is exchanged into the water than I can discern. The fans are silent at all levels, you can't even hear them when you put your ear up to the fixture.

Just an incredible amount of positive changes. I read a lot of reviews here and on other areas of the internet about the Mitras. None of them do the fixture justice. It performs at the highest level and can make even the most entry level reef enthusiast, look like a seasoned professional.

I am sure I haven't covered everything here, but I would be glad to answer any questions you might have.

Is the Mitras worth the asking price? Every penny. The software is extremely easy to use and those of you who have used the "Office" ribbon in 2007-2013 Word, Excel, etc. will be right at home with the software. It really couldn't get any easier or user friendly.

My search for an LED is over. My corals have already shown growth in the limited amount of time I have had the Mitras. It is a fixture in a league of it's own.

I was getting ready to order either a 250w or 400w Metal Halide fixture right before the Mitras. Even with my last LED that did well, it still could not replicate the look and growth of my old Metal Halide. I am very glad I waited and bought the Mitras. It far surpasses my MH in all areas.

Last but not least, Michael Hall, the North American GHL contact. Michael is a real asset to the company. His communications and service are on a level that all vendors should try to replicate. Just like the company and products he represents, he is top notch.

Now for a few fast pics.

 

[HurricaneSystem]

 

[moondoggy4]

Thanks for the review, I have seen that you have posted about the importance of UV I assume that this light has it, how much does it have? and how or which leds that give it?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Wow amazing review! I am glad to hear our service was welcomed, thank you also for the very kind review.

In regards to UV, I probably can answer this. In aquarium lighting UV is more a term used to describe the human colour perception as any UV emitted from a light fixture is so low in the end range of the spectrum that the chances any reaching the corals through the water is negligible, however being in such the higher range of the spectrum the light emitted allows for flourescents to pop in corals. So when people talk about UV (just as with T5 etc) they typically are talking about the colour perception in reference to florescents.

As a safety aspect a lamp that does produce any real levels of UV-a could be a risk to human eye exposure. So the term UV in reef lighting refers more to the fluorescent colour perception of the lower end of the human visible colour range. (400nm)

The Mitras has a peak in the lower range at 425nm this is in line with most popular UV labelled T5 tubes and MH lamps. Lower than this and the colour becomes quite purple. The Mitras was designed to replicate T5 and MH to exact standards.

The 425nm peak LED used does have a slight dip into the UV-a range as does most UV specified LED fixtures but the UV emitted is very weak and would typically be lost in water light filtering.

 

[Matthias Gross]

Thank you for ths detailled review - I am sure it will help some people to make their decision.

I have to add in regards to the topic "UV" that Mitras has "HV" (hyperviolet) LEDs @ 425nm center wavelenght for the lower end of the spectrum.
It is important to know that light with a very low wavelength with a high optical density (e.g. LED operated at high current and with lenses) may harm the eye, so it is very important to use the right LEDs at the right intensity.
The Mitras LED fixtures are designed according to the norm "IEC 62471 - Photobiological safety of LED".

 

[mikeatjac]

Hurricanesystems you are the last person that should be allowed to give a review. You have gone though 3 or 4 systems in short order and have not given the time to any of them to work or not work. You have preached the value of UV lighting and a fixture that does not have UV light. BTW the fixture you just purchased does not have UV either.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Hurricanesystems you are the last person that should be allowed to give a review. You have gone though 3 or 4 systems in short order and have not given the time to any of them to work or not work. You have preached the value of UV lighting and a fixture that does not have UV light. BTW the fixture you just purchased does not have UV either.

Yep. I think he's really confused what UV means and in general doesn't really understand reef keeping or lighting. Btw your clam doesn't look very happy.

 

[HurricaneSystem]

The review does not state that I have had the fixture for a year or anything long term. The review is a combination of my initial findings, the quality of the Mitras, and the incredible ability to show growth and extension in corals almost overnight.

When I state the term "UV", it is because I am under the impression that everyone knows what I am talking about. I should have stated that more clear the first time. Through further research, I came to find out that the 400-425nm range is what I call "UV".

As we all know, and for those that do not know, the GHL Mitras does not have TRUE UV, no fixture has TRUE UV. That would be incredibly dangerous and it is just a term I used in order to specify the color "purple". Now, the reason I continue to use that term, is that the color is meant to replicate the color of the spectrum. That particular spectrum 400-425nm is extremely important in my findings on growing coral.

The review was posted to give an initial review of someone looking for the best LED that there is, period. That LED is the GHL Mitras, in my findings. The Mitras does in fact possess the 6 x hyper violet 425 nm LED's. That spectrum is what is necessary to grow coral in my opinion.

 

[sirreal63]

I don't doubt the Mitras is a very high quality fixture. However, the fact remains, it is missing the UV spectrum which I feel is the main spectrum you should have.

Without UV, you might as well buy any other fixture as that is the same thing they have.

Radion Pro all the way. If you could only see what a difference UV makes in corals.

Yea,

For some reason or the other, not many people believe me. UV will make your LFS corals look like show bought corals.

UV is THE secret for corals & LEDs

That is what I figured. When you can see the UV spectrum for yourself, then you can tell me I am wrong.

I speak from first hand experience, owning almost all of the major fixtures and testing them first hand.

I say again, an LED with the UV SPECTRUM is far superior to Reef Breeders (Chinese) or any other blue/white fixture.

Do they cost more? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes.

How does the Mitras 6200 UV Spectrum compare in the real world to the Radion Pro UV Spectrum? We are about to find out.

That is what I figured. When you can see the UV spectrum for yourself, then you can tell me I am wrong.

I speak from first hand experience, owning almost all of the major fixtures and testing them first hand.

I say again, an LED with the UV SPECTRUM is far superior to Reef Breeders (Chinese) or any other blue/white fixture.

Do they cost more? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes.

How does the Mitras 6200 UV Spectrum compare in the real world to the Radion Pro UV Spectrum? We are about to find out.

Come on Nano, I don't want to argue with an up and coming young man such as yourself. It just isn't fair for you.

Sirreal, if you think it is so false, then go to the Ecotech vendor forum and tell them.

WHATEVER you want to call it, I could care less, it makes a HUGE difference in your corals. You won't know until you can actually afford one to try.

 

[sirreal63]

Will you have the decency to go back into all of those threads that you blatantly stated that UV was the greatest thing in the world and apologize and correct the statement for those who come across it and think you know what you are talking about? My suspicion is that you will not, but I hope that you are big enough to do just that.

Nice review by the way.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I am not sure of the point of the above post to be honest after his point was clarified, I think multiple times even from the cross referenced posts the comments were related to UV as a colour, so why all the venom?

I am very curious, if this review was about any other highly ranked LED unit, would so much attack on one person view be aired?

For the sake of sanity, let the reviewer be, everyone has their own thoughts, sadly one was not conveyed in full context but you all jump on it. Sorry but thats just sad and does not do RC any justice especially also coming from a RC team member.

I have never ever seen in all my time of reading reviews on RC such an outward attack on one person. it seems the keyboard warriors are out in force!

May I suggest future posts are more relevant questions rather than picking on one already overly explained topic? Hey just putting out there as a human being!!

Anyone is allowed their opinion without the risk of being publicly pulled apart.

 

[sirreal63]

Michael it is purely the manner in which he attacked and thumped his chest in superiority that irritated a lot of people. We are all here to try and learn from each other, his tactics were anything but that. I have hope that his method will change but I realize that it may not.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I see no superiority only a personal perception.

Whether you like the way he writes or not that is irrelevant I am sick of open attacks on people on forums IN GENERAL, irrelevant of topic or brand, so can we agree EVERYONE to move forward?

 

[isacco]

:headwalls::headwalls::headwalls::headwalls::headwalls:
:headwally::headwally::headwally::headwally::headwally:
My helad hurts, no doubt though Mitras are one of the best out there.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I think the problem people had is that the guy speaks like he is speaking from a position of expertise and authority when it's clear from his previous threads and tank pictures that he is inexperienced and not knowledgeable in the subject matter that he wishes to discuss.

Hey, no problem if you don't know but don't approach something you don't really understand like you know what you're talking about. He switched lights about five times and blamed the lights for his problems and not his poor husbandry and lack of knowledge.

I do think the GHL Mitras is probably the best pre-built LED only fixture out right now despite this "review".

 

[AQD_ottawa]

So i guess there is no way anyone is going to enjoy the review and not try and pull the reviewer apart?

The term review - to voice write perceptions based on ones own personal opinions.

I give up! seriously.

Thanks for the great review, I am sure the initial findings for those that have a real interest other than ripping someone to bits will be of benefit.

 

[rtparty]

A couple things:

1) Thanks for an in depth review. I know that takes some serious time and effort.

2) Let me know how everything does after a year, not a day. We all know that softies and LPS are fine under LEDs. SPS are totally different though and I only see one in the tank and it looks sad.

3) UV is not "purple". Purple is a combination of red and blue. Basic color wheel knowledge there. UV, as referred to by so many hobbyists incorrectly, is Ultra Violet. Although most people are talking about Violet light. They are very different and have very different characteristics.

Purple and Violet are not the same.

I appreciate Michael jumping in here but it is the exact reason that sponsors should stay out of review threads. People will get called out if they have bad mouthed others with little to no credibility. Sponsors will take this personally and they shouldn't.

 

[sirreal63]

The real problem comes from the fact that his posts touting UV as the secret to growing corals is left forever in threads that will be searched and found by others. There is already one case in recent weeks of someone wanting to put true UV over their tank. Is there any wonder where they got the idea? Do we really want to not try and correct those potentially harmful posts and let others think that UV is what is needed over their tanks? He had the chance to listen to what numerous people tried to explain to him, yet he chose to attack them, call them names and belittle them.

Is any of it right? It is not but so much bad information is posted daily and never gets corrected, the absolutely dangerous bad information must be corrected.

It is a good review of in my opinion the premier light available at the moment. It does not erase the numerous posts and threads of dangerous information that he needs to address. This is the thread where he is sort of admitting that he was wrong, without coming out and saying "I am sorry to all of those people I was so obnoxious to".

 

[HurricaneSystem]

AOD,

I share your frustration, but I have learned that people will always gripe about what they don't understand.

For the majority that read the review, they will take it for what it is.

Don't let the negative people get you down. The pictures speak for themselves. There is nothing in any of those pics except a crystal clear tank and thriving corals. Why are the corals thriving? The Mitras LED is one of the major reasons, that is what people should take from this review.

********

One more thing. I will never "apologize" for any of those statements. Why should I? Every single manufacturer of LED lights out there state UV LEDs. So do you think that people do not read that and assume the UV spectrum?

I did not coin the phrase, I am simply restating what has already been on millions of boxes. Go look at any of the top fixture web pages. I guarantee you that you will see UV led's. It is just used to specify the color spectrum.

 

[FlyPenFly]

The pictures speak for themselves. There is nothing in any of those pics except a crystal clear tank and thriving corals. Why are the corals thriving? The Mitras LED is one of the major reasons

Wow