How much variability is there between one Chinese Black Box fixture and another? LEDs? Lenses? Drivers? I went to check out a few boxes and they're not labeled to be identifiable in any way. Zero branding. Very curious as to what differences there may or may not be with them.
Chinese Black Box differences?
- Thread starter enveetie
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Most are very similar in their basic design, drivers, etc....., differences are usually in the diodes, lenses and layout.
I have the mars aqua units and love them.
A lot of Cbb users like the Sb reef lights for their diodes and layout.
When my diodes go bad, I'll be switching to the sb reef lights replacement boards.
Last edited:
Peter Blue Reef
Active Member
Most Chinese black boxes from amazon/ebay, 165w or 300w, have the same spectrum. You can disassemble them and use a strong soldering iron to repeal and replace the diodes with 420nm, 10,000K, or 20,000K diodes. I replaced about half of mine and we're lookin good. no disco effect and great photosynthesis. The diodes can be bought for around ten bucks for a dozen or two depending on who you order from. Very cheap upgrade but you'll put some work in. It's not complicated. If you haven't burned down your house by now you'll figure it out. Iv'e had a crazy night. Time to go wash off the glitter.
The driver is more likely to catch fire, but they do have safety features built in. Thermal fused resistor and fast action fuse are usually in place. The cooling fan are not only for the LEDs but some design cools down the internal devices as well. The 3-pin power plug do have rated fuse for extra safety measures. I don't think it will catch fire long enough to burn down a house as they are not dealing with high current equipment. You might get some smokes and toxic fumes though LOL.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
In all fairness, with all the research I've done on them, internet, forums, personal experiences, I've never read or heard of one catching on fire.
I am with you. Cheers!
luke33
2500 Club Member
All the black boxes seem pretty similar these days but the difference like mentioned above is spectrum and lenses. I have a 30" mars, 16" wellpar no timer, viparspectra and a wellpar timer.
What's funny is a 165w and 300w really means 110w and 206w. The viparspectra and wellpar timer are identical in every way, the same fixture just different name. It's by far my favorite due to spectrum, timer and spread. The mars is by far the most powerful as it pulls 715 par at 24" below at 100%. It doesn't have a great look though and needs modding to really make it nice. The spread doesn't cover as well width wise as the others.
What's funny is a 165w and 300w really means 110w and 206w. The viparspectra and wellpar timer are identical in every way, the same fixture just different name. It's by far my favorite due to spectrum, timer and spread. The mars is by far the most powerful as it pulls 715 par at 24" below at 100%. It doesn't have a great look though and needs modding to really make it nice. The spread doesn't cover as well width wise as the others.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
luke33
2500 Club Member
That why I pulled some of my lenses. Helped get rid of my shadowing.
Yep, the mars are solid fixtures for the price. They are almost to intense! If you remove the 3500k and replace them with blue and uv/violet they are great fixtures.
That's why I suggest the wellpar timer fixtures, spectrum is great and the lenses are good at dispersing the light.
happyhourhero
Burner of the Tips
I had galaxy hydro and then replaced those with SB Reef lights. Got a great response from my corals when I switched.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
I've done some research on switching diodes out and would be no problem for me to do. I even have sb reef lights diode layout for this fixture. Ether I'll pull diodes out and replace them with their layout or just buy the replacement boards already built. Decisions, decisions...... in the mean time, the mars layout has worked well for me and all my coral have grown nicely so far.
luke33
2500 Club Member
I'd just spend 10-20 bux on diodes and replace the 3500k and a few 6500k and call it a day
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
I'd just spend 10-20 bux on diodes and replace the 3500k and a few 6500k and call it a day
Most likely that's what I'll do. Do you know of a trusted supplier of 3w diodes that carries these. Do you have a link?
luke33
2500 Club Member
Not sure on trusted but I have bought here with good results.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_od...ed+diodes+3w.TRS1&_nkw=led+diodes+3w&_sacat=0
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
I like that they're a American seller, that's a plus! Was hesitant to purchase directly from china. I've heard that epistar and bridgelux were the best to get, but as cheep as they are and hopefully last a couple years at least, then they could be worth it.
Thanks for the info and I'll set down tomorrow and figure out what I need to order. Thanks again.
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Ordered the 10000-15000k ones and the 20000k ones. Plan is to replace the 3500k and 7500k diodes to come close to the SB layout. Didn't choose to go UV, at least at this point. We'll see how them look after done.
