Hello I've been wanting to go led over my 120g mixed reef mostly lps softies and a few sps(mostly monti's) I've been looking at the stark 60w Cree led units and was wondering if you thought 2 of them would be enough light over my 120g it has the center brace I found the units for 350 each I also thought about going through rapid led and diy my lighting any thoughts or suggestions thanks
Stark led 60w Cree for a 120g??
- Thread starter jbechel
- Start date
reefermad619
New member
If you diy, you could build 2 panels of 24 LEDs each for probably less than $500 total. Maybe less if you use aluminum channel for the heatsinks.
oki_reefer
New member
I have 2 of the units over my 120. Works great for LPS and softies but I think I need to add some more for the SPS. I am looking at several different options and have not decided which way to go. Looking at adding 2 more of the Starks, or 2 AI Sol (blue) or 4 to 6 of the ecoxotic Panorama. I can get more solor selection by mixing the ecoxotic Panorama strips.
clintau
New member
I have a 60W Stark and 100W stark over my 120g. I have a canopy and my issue is I can't get them high enough get GREAT spread. I am very happy with them. I have LPS and SPS everything is doing well. My temps with VHO and MH were in the 82 degree range. Its winter now but my heater is running so much.
They sell the 60W on the fact that its dimmable.....I am running mine wide open. Also the 100W unit is not dimmable but I haven't had a single issue. The two softies I have even love the light.
They sell the 60W on the fact that its dimmable.....I am running mine wide open. Also the 100W unit is not dimmable but I haven't had a single issue. The two softies I have even love the light.
jgsalwater
In Memoriam
I purchased 2-60 watt Crees directly from China and can say nothing but good about them. They are the same as the ones being sold in the US as Stark for often twice the price. I paid $185 each plus shipping with two separate controls one for blue and one for white. I've seen them advertised for a few dollars less lately. Look at my homepage for photos.
jvschlegel
New member
I purchased 2-60 watt Crees directly from China and can say nothing but good about them. They are the same as the ones being sold in the US as Stark for often twice the price. I paid $185 each plus shipping with two separate controls one for blue and one for white. I've seen them advertised for a few dollars less lately. Look at my homepage for photos.
What is the life span of the bulbs? When it comes time to replace, you buy new bulbs or a whole new unit?
jgsalwater
In Memoriam
It all depends on who you talk to. Some say the LEDs need to be replaced every three or four years, even if they are still lighting up. All agree the LED is highly life dependent on removing heat and keeping it cool. Some LED lighting fixtures are now highly dependent on running a cooling fan. If that fan goes out, your LEDs will soon follow. One thing I did like about the 60 Watt Crees is that still used a very large aluminum fined heat sink, coupled to a therm controlled fan. I have yet to see temperature run high enough on mine to have the fans come on. Bottom line is I don't know if anyone really knows for sure with LED's being so new to reef tanks. If I have LEDs start go out on mine....at under $200 a fixture I believe the cheapest and easiest will be to buy whole new units, instead piece meal fixing and replacing LEDS. By that time I suspect we will have a lot more knowledge and new LED designs anyway.
jgsalwater
In Memoriam
double up message
