Are Chinese Box LEDs any Good?

[gonioporagirl]

Thanks guys! All of your replies were really helpful. I think I might end up buying a few of the Mars Aquas. My last question would be wether I should get the 165 w or 300w one

 

[alton]

If it is a 4' tank get two 165w, if it is longer get three 165w. Hang them at least 12" above the tank.

 

[wesman42]

I, on the contrary, got the 300W for my 4' tank because I liked having areas of the tank with less light (on each end has less light). However, the par in those areas is still >150

 

[cvrle1]

Thanks guys! All of your replies were really helpful. I think I might end up buying a few of the Mars Aquas. My last question would be wether I should get the 165 w or 300w one

Personaly I would go with Viparspectra or Bloomspect 165W units. Mars aqua are good units, but lack a timer, which almost everyone uses. You can buy timer for like $10 in Home Depot or something like that, but price difference between Mars aqua and Viparspectra is only like $10-$15. So when you buy that timer, you are spending same amount of $. I also like Viparspectra/Bloomspect LED choices a bit more as well.

Currently Viparspectra unit is $114 on ebay. US Seller and 3 year warranty (take that with grain of salt)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VIPARSPECT...m-Light-Full-Spectrum-Reef-Coral/181275113350
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VIPARSPECT...ht-For-Coral-Reef-Grow-Fish-Tank/292593920226

yesterday eBay also had 10% off anything, so final price for these was $102, which is great price.

I would go with 2 165W, but it comes down to what you plan on keeping and where, and how much PAR in turn you would need.

 

[markfmvl]

Ive had a pair of marsaqua lights for a number of years with no problems. WE also have 3 sbreef lights I think their spectrom is a little better.

 

[Cabinetman]

Yank the lenses.

It will even out the color and PAR on them.

I am sure there are many people on here who will attest that they work.

BTW, you can replace the drivers with UL listed ones for about $40 if you want to sink money into it.

Many have done this and changed up a few of the blues to UVs for further improvement.

All in All, they are a good jump point.

But, it is completely unfair to pit them against an $800 light. But, interesting how well they faired given the disparity.

I tried removing the lenses off mine and par dropped so low it wasn’t funny. I don’t think this is a good way to improve them at all.