What do you think about this LED fixture?

[phish guy]

my buddy and i were thinking about a few of these for our tank. here is the link for the lights in mind
http://cgi.ebay.com/Evolution-LED-L...344?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ab803338

how are these lights? any experience with these? would they be able to support SPS in my tank (tank info on signature). i was going to get one but my buddy has a bowfront tank that is 4 feet long and 2 feet deep. he was planning on getting two of these for his tank, also with SPS. do you think these lights would support our tanks, and last a while?

 

[Anemonebuff]

They will work, as long as the tank is not too deep. Look in the lighting and filtration Forum for other comments.

 

[ashley41576]

i'm curious about these too!

 

[zma21]

I wouldn't purchase a 1-watt LED fixture.

3watt fixtures have proven themselves worthy, but I'll let the search function spell that out a bit better for you.

Good luck

 

[phish guy]

any 2 or 3 watt led fixture that you would recommend that doesnt cost an arm and a leg? 500 or less.... my buddy is going to need two because of how long his tank is...

 

[phish guy]

^^^^^^

 

[phish guy]

any fixtures you guys would recommend that doesnt cost a arm and leg

 

[Anemonebuff]

What is an arm or a leg?

They are all expensive, what is the price range?

 

[Neogenocide]

DIY is the only affordable LED option at this time in my mind. I'll be doing a 120 LED setup over my 180g soon.

Scott

 

[wrott]

Agreed, 1W LED are worthless, long term, get 3W Crees and/or build your own. I'd like to try LED but I do not have the time or $$ currently.

 

[phish guy]

what about these from pacific east???

http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/Reef-Smart-120W-LED-Reef-Aquarium-Pendant-Light-Prodview.html

i am trying to not go over 600 dollars.

 

[Neogenocide]

Those are a bit better, but still over priced in my opinion. I also question the mfg's specs when they list this on their site.

LED wavelength: White: 500-700nm Blue: 450nm

Have you looked in to DIY? You can save a lot of money over buying them retail.


Have a look at these: http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-53/24-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail

 

[phish guy]

i am not too good with electrical and i am not sure if i trust myself to build a light fixture that is keeping thousands of dollars of corals alive

 

[ChicagoReefer88]

Those are a bit better, but still over priced in my opinion. I also question the mfg's specs when they list this on their site.

LED wavelength: White: 500-700nm Blue: 450nm

Have you looked in to DIY? You can save a lot of money over buying them retail.


Have a look at these: http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-53/24-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail

does this kit have everything you need? Looks like just white led's and no heat sink. From an un experienced electrician i have little experience soldering and none with led's. How hard would it be for me to construct one?

 

[James404]

does this kit have everything you need? Looks like just white led's and no heat sink. From an un experienced electrician i have little experience soldering and none with led's. How hard would it be for me to construct one?

The kit comes with 12 white leds, 12 blue leds and optics for the whites. You would need to buy a heatsink in addition but they are pretty cheap. If you want optics for the blues those are additional as well.

 

[ChicagoReefer88]

The kit comes with 12 white leds, 12 blue leds and optics for the whites. You would need to buy a heatsink in addition but they are pretty cheap. If you want optics for the blues those are additional as well.

thanks, is it smarter to get optics for the blues as well? seems logical, again i have little exoeriance soldering, how do you think i would be if i did alot of reading

 

[phish guy]

i know these are only one watt but they have a very high par reading. what do you guys think of this one here.
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/EcoRay-Dual-Cord-60W-LED-Pendant-Light-Prodview.html

 

[jimmyjames]

i know these are only one watt but they have a very high par reading. what do you guys think of this one here.
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/EcoRay-Dual-Cord-60W-LED-Pendant-Light-Prodview.html

Wow.. That is expensive online.. The same one at my LFS is $100 less than that price....

Well.. I posted on the DIY forum under 180gallon LED build... Still doing a lot of research... But I have vendors and manufactures that supply me with LED's... So far I think I will be using the CREE XP-E's on the 180 gallon tank... 3 royal blues per 1 white... I think i will need about 200 total LED bulbs... Going to have my friend found out how much to design and make a PCB board so I can solder the LED bulbs onto it and not have to worry about wiring...plus the drivers will be designed into the board... The PCB board then mounts to a large heat sink with ball bearing fans... Still researching... Will post info on my post and pics once I start getting stuff in... Initial cost of this build is already estimated over $1500... That's will my LED's at cost...

 

[Neogenocide]

i know these are only one watt but they have a very high par reading. what do you guys think of this one here.
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/EcoRay-Dual-Cord-60W-LED-Pendant-Light-Prodview.html

This is from the first paragraph in the description of that light.

These units generally product only 40-50 PAR at 24" form center (on tenth the PAR of Ecoray 60). These low PAR LED units are more suitable as T-5 replacements at best.



Scott

 

[Neogenocide]

I still recommend building one. I don't really think you'll be happy with any of the retail options after looking at the DIY lights out there. I'm no electrician, and couldn't solder all that well before I attempted it. My first set of lights is still running good after 9 months, and I just built a second set for my frag tank. It's really not that tough to do. You've kind of backed yourself into a corner, looking for a cheap LED solution, but you still want to be able to support SPS. I honestly don't think you'll be happy with a light using 1 watt emitters, and you'll end up going back to your current solution or buying another set of lights to replace it.

Whatever you do end up going with, please let us know how it works out.

Scott