Chinese LEDs thread.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

I've heard only wonderful things about those inexpensive fixtures!!
I would like to hear from people who has chinese LEDs running for a while. Let us know for how long.
Please tell us what type that is and where did you get it.
Also, if you would, please tell us the intensity you're using, photoperiod and organisms kept.
Any extra observations in regards to growth rate, reproduction and health would be great!
I just would think there is no need to purchase those expensive fixtures to keep zoanthids.

Thanks,
Grandis.

relradi888 · Feb 13, 2014

I got 3 full spectrum evergrow fixtures off of ebay for for 180 gallon reef and have been very pleased with them. I have about an 8 hour photo period and have been able to keep everything including acropora, montipora, maxima clams, zoas, acans and everything else. Im sure the more expensive LEDs are awesome to have but for the price you cant beat it and I have no regrets about it.

EFSleeper · Feb 13, 2014

Just ordered 2 for my 120 build to replace my t5 fixture after seeing them in person. Couldn't pass on a great deal for them.

xcountryx · Feb 13, 2014

I have a 120w dimmable leds off ebay. I use it on my 30 gallon. I got it for around $100. The only mod I did was wired the leds seperate. Now white has its own plug as does the blues. So far it's been working great I have nice growth in my open brain, monti cap, maxima clam, plate coral, and my newest addition came from my 100 gallon and wasn't Growin under mh. Now my brain favia is multiplying really nicely now. I have them on for 12 hours the blues are 100% and the whites are about 80% or so.

miyags · Feb 13, 2014

I bought one a few months ago for around $120 shipped. I have blues on for 12 hours at 80% and whites on for 7 hours at 50%. It is built really nice. It's a tao tronics 120 dimmable. The down side to this style of light is, you have to make your own mounting system. So thats another 20$ to 80$ add on.

xcountryx · Feb 13, 2014

I made my own most out of electrical conduit

mr neon · Feb 13, 2014

I have an Reefbreeders 24" and a Oceanrevive 24" as well on a 90 gallon with all LPS. I am waiting for at least 6 months to do a write-upon
both units and how they perform. As of right now its been 3 months and all is doing great. I did orignal have the Evergrow D-120 on my 60 for awhile and that was my first trial with LED (Chinese). For the time I had it it grew corals quite well. I did alter the layout of colors to produce a better spectrum. I also never had any of my LEDs up past 50% in both whites and blues.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

relradi888 said:
I got 3 full spectrum evergrow fixtures off of ebay for for 180 gallon reef and have been very pleased with them. I have about an 8 hour photo period and have been able to keep everything including acropora, montipora, maxima clams, zoas, acans and everything else. Im sure the more expensive LEDs are awesome to have but for the price you cant beat it and I have no regrets about it.

I appreciate your reply!! Thanks very much.
Yeah, I'm sure the expensive LED fixtures are great and those fixtures are awesome, but for now I'll have to probably get the more inexpensive ones.
Unfortunately I can't get them to ship the ever grow to Hawaii.

Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

EFSleeper said:
Just ordered 2 for my 120 build to replace my t5 fixture after seeing them in person. Couldn't pass on a great deal for them.

Same here. I've seen those 120w in person and that's the main reason I'm changing for LEDs.
Thanks,
Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

xcountryx said:
I have a 120w dimmable leds off ebay. I use it on my 30 gallon. I got it for around $100. The only mod I did was wired the leds seperate. Now white has its own plug as does the blues. So far it's been working great I have nice growth in my open brain, monti cap, maxima clam, plate coral, and my newest addition came from my 100 gallon and wasn't Growin under mh. Now my brain favia is multiplying really nicely now. I have them on for 12 hours the blues are 100% and the whites are about 80% or so.

Wow!! That's nice! 100% and 80% for a 30 gal. That's really cool!
I'm looking for a fixture with independent wires for the whites and blues.
Your info is very welcome. Thanks!!
Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

miyags said:
I bought one a few months ago for around $120 shipped. I have blues on for 12 hours at 80% and whites on for 7 hours at 50%. It is built really nice. It's a tao tronics 120 dimmable. The down side to this style of light is, you have to make your own mounting system. So thats another 20$ to 80$ add on.

I know. I've looked those and would love to be able to get them. They also don't ship to Hawaii.
Thanks very much for the info!

Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

xcountryx said:
I made my own most out of electrical conduit

That's a nice setup!! I like the look of it.
hanks for sharing.

Please keep your observations coming…
Perhaps this thread could be enriched by every single person on this forum with chinese LEDs.

Grandis.

xcountryx · Feb 13, 2014

Ya it was pretty easy to just rewire it. Once you open up the metal casing you can see which wires go to what. Also the blues have their own fan as do the whites. So far very pleased. Btw I'm not an electricians so that should show how easy it will be.

xcountryx · Feb 13, 2014

I've also tried those epistar leds. But didn't realy see any coral growth with them. Nice colors though. I ended up switching that tank back to metal halides and the growth took back off.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

xcountryx said:
I've also tried those epistar leds. But didn't realy see any coral growth with them. Nice colors though. I ended up switching that tank back to metal halides and the growth took back off.

Ok, that's good info. Thanks!
I guess not all the chinese fixtures are the same in regards to grow, I guess...

Grandis.

A. grandis · Feb 13, 2014

Thread was moved from zoa forum.
I only keep zoas, but believe that the light for SPS is also good for zoas.
Please continue to update this thread with your experiences...

Grandis.

Ron Reefman · Feb 15, 2014

Grandis,

I believe you can get OceanRevive to ship EverGrow or OceanRevive fixtures to Hawaii. It will cost extra, but then isn't that part of the price you expect to pay when you live in Paradise? I'd go to their website and ask them about it in the Customer Service section.

A. grandis · Feb 16, 2014

Ron Reefman said:
Grandis,

I believe you can get OceanRevive to ship EverGrow or OceanRevive fixtures to Hawaii. It will cost extra, but then isn't that part of the price you expect to pay when you live in Paradise? I'd go to their website and ask them about it in the Customer Service section.

Thanks Ron! They do have nice fixtures, but I already found and ordered 2 of those white/blue LED fixtures from ebay.
We do pay a price to live in Paradise! I think it's worthy most of the time.

Grandis.

crentch21 · Feb 17, 2014

How high should I put the LEDs from the top,of the tank? Just got a set.

Also what's the difference from epistar and others......

xcountryx · Feb 17, 2014

The epistar are just square looking leds. Very different then what most leds look like. which light did you get? Mine is the 120w dimmable leds in the black metal housing. I have then about 8 inchs from the water. But I also made the bracket adjustable if I needed it. I have a glass cover on the top of my tank since I've had a few jumpers (one which has jumped twice and put back in, he's still alive lol) so I guess that's why I have my lights almost full 100%