Reefbrite XHO

[passedpawn]

Hi folks. I'm replacing my T5 actinics with a 48" Reefbrite Blue strip.

I'm also running 14k MH lamps.

Anyway, just wondering what the consensus is regarding these LEDs. Also, anyone know exactly what LED they use in there?

Thanks. My first post. Long, long time lurker.

 

[that Fish Guy]

They are expensive.

A rep told me that they use 3 Watt LED's but only run them at half brightness (1.5 Watts).

1. What is the point of paying a lot for an LED fixture that does not have powerful lights.

2. Why on earth would you spend more money and use 3 Watt LED and not use them at their full capacity?

They should either use them at full capacity or use 1.5 watt LED and lower the price substantially.

 

[dan3949]

I replaced a 36" T5 actinic with an XHO strip about 6 months ago. I really like the color. It has much greater output than my T5. I love the fact it is so small and allowed much better placement of my MH fixture in the canopy.

I am very pleased with the fixture.

 

[passedpawn]

They are expensive.

A rep told me that they use 3 Watt LED's but only run them at half brightness (1.5 Watts).

1. What is the point of paying a lot for an LED fixture that does not have powerful lights.

2. Why on earth would you spend more money and use 3 Watt LED and not use them at their full capacity?

They should either use them at full capacity or use 1.5 watt LED and lower the price substantially.

I think what you say about the wattage is accurate.

I've seen a few good reviews (youtube mainly) and they looked really, really good.

My local reef place has a lot of them hanging around, lighting tanks, and they highly recommended them. This store seems to know what they're talking about, but I thought I'd get a second opinion.

 

[pciscott]

Leds driven at full power will make more heat and use more power, under drive them and they will last longer. I use Reefbrites to add pop to my T5 tank and I have never lost a LED in over 2 years of service. If you ran them at full power they would need fans and loose there sleek small package. I highly recommend them and they will add a nice actinic pop and run by themselves they look amazing at night. Also do not discount the power they have and aclimate them slowly as I added them to my tank in my dawn to dusk and peeled a couple Acros that were shallow. A few hours a day and then add time until you aclimate your coral to the new type of light. Good luck and in my opinion Reefbrites are awesome and give a great spread of actinic pop in a sleek package. The standard model even has a very good spread and the XHO is overkill.

 

[jschultzbass]

I agree with pciscott. XHO are overkill for a T5 tank like ours but I would recommend it for a MH tank. Love mine.

 

[passedpawn]

Follow-up:

I bought a 48" XHO blue strip, mounted alongside my metal halide hoods. I had one bank out of 6 die in about a month. Ouch.

According to Coral Corral, my LFS, they have only had one other incident like this, and they've sold many of them. I hope so. Reefbrite is 2-daying a new strip to the store and they will replace. Hopefully an isolated incident. At least everyone handled it admirably.

BTW, I've got a PAR meter heading my way, I'll post PAR measurements from my 90g when I get the meter.

 

[sean obergfell]

I have 10 60" XHO .......love them!

 

[passedpawn]

I have 10 60" XHO .......love them!

10? Woah. I'm thing of putting a second one on my tank, but I don't want to do that until I can get some light measurements.

 

[sean obergfell]

I actually have 15 XHO reef brites.....5 of them I use as stage lighting for our church ....awesome...just awesome.

But I have 2 150 gallons with 5 xho over each....I think they are great....my corals..mostly LPS...are doing great

 

[passedpawn]

I actually have 15 XHO reef brites.....5 of them I use as stage lighting for our church ....awesome...just awesome.

But I have 2 150 gallons with 5 xho over each....I think they are great....my corals..mostly LPS...are doing great

What's the color mix on those tanks? Are they all the 50/50s, or blues, or what?

 

[JustinGr]

I use the 15" XHO 50/50 in my Fuge and WOW its nice.