Reefbreeders/(Evergrow OEM) Fixtures D120/IT20** series

@Reef_Breeders

I'm looking at three of the D120 value fixtures in the full spectrum layout for my 180 gallon (72x24x24) with LPS and Softies. I've been back and forth between your site and ReefSupplyCanada. I like you guys from what I've read on here but there seem to be some glaring differences that are swaying me to RSC currently... can you comment?

1. They are claiming to offer a 3 year warranty on the fixtures through Evergrow while your warranty shows two years on the website. I spoke with them and they said that they would handle shipping it overseas for repairs if needed in that three years. Does Evergrow not offer you the same length of warranty?

2. Are you changing the default layouts in these or is your full spectrum layout the same as anyone else selling evergrow d120 full spectrums?

3. You seem to offer 120 degrees or no lenses for the $179 price and the 90 degree are a $20 upgrade per fixture and the 90 seems to be the most widely used (and what I'll need). RSC is offering 90 degree at $175 with the options to buy additional 120 degree lenses for $7.50 per fixture so I can change them out if needed. They are also offering a discount currently that brings there 90 degree to over $100 cheaper than yours for 3 fixtures.
 
Curt2199 said:
@Reef_Breeders

I'm looking at three of the D120 value fixtures in the full spectrum layout for my 180 gallon (72x24x24) with LPS and Softies. I've been back and forth between your site and ReefSupplyCanada. I like you guys from what I've read on here but there seem to be some glaring differences that are swaying me to RSC currently... can you comment?

1. They are claiming to offer a 3 year warranty on the fixtures through Evergrow while your warranty shows two years on the website. I spoke with them and they said that they would handle shipping it overseas for repairs if needed in that three years. Does Evergrow not offer you the same length of warranty?

2. Are you changing the default layouts in these or is your full spectrum layout the same as anyone else selling evergrow d120 full spectrums?

3. You seem to offer 120 degrees or no lenses for the $179 price and the 90 degree are a $20 upgrade per fixture and the 90 seems to be the most widely used (and what I'll need). RSC is offering 90 degree at $175 with the options to buy additional 120 degree lenses for $7.50 per fixture so I can change them out if needed. They are also offering a discount currently that brings there 90 degree to over $100 cheaper than yours for 3 fixtures.
Click to expand...

1. Evergrows warranty covers the fixtures like we do for 1 year, then offers spare parts, LEDs, etc for the remaining 2. We do repairs in our shop, in the USA, and pay shiping both ways. If you need spare parts after the warranty, we can send them for the price of shipping, the same thing evergrow does, except it costs more to ship to you from China, or Canada.

2. We are changing the layouts because nuetral whites are proving to be a little better than a combo of WW and CW, and we came up with the layouts they are copying first. RSC, looking at their site, copied our layout exactly on the IT2080s, and 2060s, and some of their photographs are ours, so I will be contacting them shortly.

3. What is their price, we may be able to match it.
 
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Logan, RSC is $180 delivered and you are $179 delivered and current US dollar is equal to Canadian dollar. You charge $20 extra for 90 degree optics (I know EG was charging extra for 90 degree lenses... are they still?) and RSC are standard with 90 degree lenses. RSC adds $5-15 for shipping to the US (a fee that UPS gets as a COD at your door) which is a plus for you, no COD fees. And it's interesting that RSC mentions this import fee in the 'details' of the D120 but not at all in the 'details' of the IT2080. Wonder why that is?
 
I had a remote that stopped working on my controllable and reefbreeders had a new one to me within a week. I suggest not sweating 10 or 20 bucks doing price comparisons. These guys are on the forums and give great customer service at a great value. Just order with reefbreeders, my 2 cents.
 
Just clearing up a couple things explained to me from RSC so that we don't have incorrect information on here.

Here is my communication with them on the shipping as it didn't seem clear to me on their site.

Me:
"Also, it says free shipping but then to contact you regarding shipping rates to north america. Is it free shipping or not? "

Nick@RSC:
"Shipping is free, contact is only needed for shipments outside of Canada/US. Since shipping to overseas is much more costly then shipping within North America."

As far as the price difference, I'm ordering 3 fixtures myself so the difference is quite a bit more than $20-$30 since I am wanting the 90 degree lenses. That is where the big difference is coming into play. 120 degree spread is just wasteful and useless in most cases for what we're doing as they spill way to much light out of the tank that is then unsusable. Also, I have a baby who loves the tank and I can't risk damaging his eyes with the spill over from 120 degree spread or no lenses.
 
I just want the best fixture for the price. So far, these fit the bill (and I've tried a LOT of fixtures).

The new 8 channel RB fixture in development with wireless control intrigues me. I also sent some suggestions to Evergrow to their R&D based off my 6 channel, touch screen, DIY light that is almost done. I would have saved a ton of time if such options were available now, but I enjoy pushing the limit on what can be done.

I'm hoping it will get to a point where you can get the features and power of a DIY light, in a cost effective, sleek commercial fixture. ALL the big name companies have lacking fixtures atm, or their prices are outrageous.

6-8 channel control, clouds/thunderstorms/smooth ramping/GUI touch screen with slider bars, and a wireless conection for a good price would outclass anything on the market. I hope to see it become a reality in the near future.
 
bhazard451 said:
I just want the best fixture for the price. So far, these fit the bill (and I've tried a LOT of fixtures).

The new 8 channel RB fixture in development with wireless control intrigues me. I also sent some suggestions to Evergrow to their R&D based off my 6 channel, touch screen, DIY light that is almost done. I would have saved a ton of time if such options were available now, but I enjoy pushing the limit on what can be done.

I'm hoping it will get to a point where you can get the features and power of a DIY light, in a cost effective, sleek commercial fixture. ALL the big name companies have lacking fixtures atm, or their prices are outrageous.

6-8 channel control, clouds/thunderstorms/smooth ramping/GUI touch screen with slider bars, and a wireless conection for a good price would outclass anything on the market. I hope to see it become a reality in the near future.
Click to expand...

100% agree. For me, this lights do a lot of things right but they don't pass the 'significant other' factor for those of us without a canopy. They are boxy and ugly to look at. If they can step up that side of the game, add wireless/more controlability, and maintain a low price point there will be no stopping it.
 
6-8 channel control, clouds/thunderstorms/smooth ramping/GUI touch screen with slider bars, and a wireless conection for a good price would outclass anything on the market. I hope to see it become a reality in the near future.
Click to expand...

As long as you don't get to caught up in these optional (and mildly useless) features like a lot of companies do, and worry more about ipad apps and cool touch screen stuff as opposed to you know, providing full spectrum lighting, good par numbers with reliability for growing corals...

I think the real reason the Chinesse lights are catching on so fast and big, is that the original main players are to busy trying to be hip, modern techies, not reefers.
 
Ron Reefman said:
Logan, RSC is $180 delivered and you are $179 delivered and current US dollar is equal to Canadian dollar. You charge $20 extra for 90 degree optics (I know EG was charging extra for 90 degree lenses... are they still?) and RSC are standard with 90 degree lenses. RSC adds $5-15 for shipping to the US (a fee that UPS gets as a COD at your door) which is a plus for you, no COD fees. And it's interesting that RSC mentions this import fee in the 'details' of the D120 but not at all in the 'details' of the IT2080. Wonder why that is?
Click to expand...
I heard back from the poster, RSC said that the optics on the diodes themselves are 90 degrees, just like ours are. We say they are 120 degree, because that is their spread equivalent, without secondary optics, the spread is much wider. Secondary optics are $7.50 extra, we charge $20 because we install them in our shop.
 
PrangeWay said:
As long as you don't get to caught up in these optional (and mildly useless) features like a lot of companies do, and worry more about ipad apps and cool touch screen stuff as opposed to you know, providing full spectrum lighting, good par numbers with reliability for growing corals...

I think the real reason the Chinesse lights are catching on so fast and big, is that the original main players are to busy trying to be hip, modern techies, not reefers.
Click to expand...
It takes US engineering to make a fixture like that. We are working on one right now.
 
I actually ordered the IT 2040 late last week from a place called NW Aquatics out of Oregon. Will arrive tomorrow. I paid 319.00 shipped with a one year warranty. I purchased before I saw this thread with the other dealers. I'll let you all know what I think. I have a 54 gallon corner bowfront with sps, lps, and some softies.

Also about a year ago I purchased another chinese item that I had heard really bad things about. It was the Odyssea 250 hallide with four t5s. I was skeptical of course but have had not a single problem with it. It did a great job for me and growth was great, but decided to try this led as its time to get new bulbs again.

One other question. With the setup I had going to this fixture what should I start at power wise? I was thinking 40% blue, 30%white and moving it up a few degrees weekly and see how that works. I have a horseshoe design in my tank with pretty tall rocks around the center with sps pretty high. Any recommendations from people that have used this light would be appreciated.
 
really interested in this 8 channel led too, but might just be getting ahold of reefbreeders and getting from them when check comes in. i like the idea of warranty be here
 
bhazard451 said:
I just want the best fixture for the price. So far, these fit the bill (and I've tried a LOT of fixtures).

The new 8 channel RB fixture in development with wireless control intrigues me. I also sent some suggestions to Evergrow to their R&D based off my 6 channel, touch screen, DIY light that is almost done. I would have saved a ton of time if such options were available now, but I enjoy pushing the limit on what can be done.

I'm hoping it will get to a point where you can get the features and power of a DIY light, in a cost effective, sleek commercial fixture. ALL the big name companies have lacking fixtures atm, or their prices are outrageous.

6-8 channel control, clouds/thunderstorms/smooth ramping/GUI touch screen with slider bars, and a wireless conection for a good price would outclass anything on the market. I hope to see it become a reality in the near future.
Click to expand...

i have been watching the LDD thread and trying to keep up and manage to wrap my head around everything that is developing there. Bhazard, are you going to be doing a build thread for your DIY with the LDD's?
 
Here is my Photon 24 over my 65g. One of the pieces to the hanging kit was broke so I had to just set it up there until I can mount it properly. So ignore all the wiring. I love the build quality, looks great. Excited to see how coral respond.

20130212_195540.jpg
 
kingpin9995 said:
I actually ordered the IT 2040 late last week from a place called NW Aquatics out of Oregon. Will arrive tomorrow. I paid 319.00 shipped with a one year warranty. I purchased before I saw this thread with the other dealers. I'll let you all know what I think. I have a 54 gallon corner bowfront with sps, lps, and some softies.

Also about a year ago I purchased another chinese item that I had heard really bad things about. It was the Odyssea 250 hallide with four t5s. I was skeptical of course but have had not a single problem with it. It did a great job for me and growth was great, but decided to try this led as its time to get new bulbs again.

One other question. With the setup I had going to this fixture what should I start at power wise? I was thinking 40% blue, 30%white and moving it up a few degrees weekly and see how that works. I have a horseshoe design in my tank with pretty tall rocks around the center with sps pretty high. Any recommendations from people that have used this light would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Currently I have 2 AGA 54 gallon corner bow fronts (butting a 180g) and started out with one DYI D120 (55 3W EverGrow fixture without the controls) and ended up getting a second one for each tank as it had to many lowly ligthed areas. As to starting power it depends on what type of light you currently use for lighting and I don't think that there is one answer that works for every installation. For example I had temporarily used 175 MH's on them and with one D120 was up to 100% within a few weeks, but not a lot of high sps like you. I liked them so much I bought 2 more for the 54's to get better coverage. After adding a second D120 to each 54g a month later they were also running at close to 100% if i wanted (adjusting for the "look" I wanted). Also play around with the height as that makes a big difference as does your optics. I think you will find the IT 2040 is about the same output as your 250MH, but not as much as with the added t5's. You didn't mention your layout, is your fixture full spectrum or just blue and white?

Problem is the corner tanks shape and I don't think a single 16" x 9" fixture provides complete coverage for SPS, LPS, Clams, etc.. any place in the tank. A second full spectrum fixture mounted as a "V" - see picture - provides this coverage. One 32" IT2080 would be perfect, but I got the cheaper setup with D120's.

The first picture was taken shortly after adding the second light and the second picture later as I was in the process of adding a 5th D120 to the 180 and re-hanging the MH mini's. Pictures are with a cell phone and show brighter than in person.

Hope this helps.
 

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Reef_Breeders said:
I heard back from the poster, RSC said that the optics on the diodes themselves are 90 degrees, just like ours are. We say they are 120 degree, because that is their spread equivalent, without secondary optics, the spread is much wider. Secondary optics are $7.50 extra, we charge $20 because we install them in our shop.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that explanation.
If I ordered a value unit with 90 degree optics, could I also order an entire set of 60 degree optics?
Is the cost (per fixture) for those $7.50?
 
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