There is some truth and some misunderstandings here.
Otherwise - check out our FB page and even this forum for some great pictures and stories of very happy E5 customers, they are posting!
1) there IS differences in LEDs, in our case they are not off the shelf white LEDs, we apply a custom blended phosphor using patented processes from our partner company... We tune our LEDs for Aqua, we don't mix and match colors! Mixing is not as accurate spectrually!
P.S. The number of LEDs isn't a relevant metric either. What matters is total wattage and density of LEDs. We have a configuration (in the 4' lamp) that gives 30 watts of LED output over the length of he lamp.
2) While similar lamps have been around they didn't run at our wattages and/or we're not drop in replacements, that is a big difference. If you took the "old" versions you're right, not enough output to do the job!
3) (and here's where we'll sound like a broken record...)
If you don't look at spectrum PAR means nothing!!!!! T5 lamps typical have a HUGE green spike from how they do poshpors. That puts a lot of the PAR value in a region of light that coral need very little of. What you really need is a spectrum that is more complete, to give all regions more natural light.
NOTE: our E5 Lamps (the white ones) all give off different levels of full spectrum and then we spike in the blue region for the extra crispness and to better provide the blue heave light that coral use. -it's not always as visual as people think to the human eye, it's about the science of the light!
4) replacing lamps... You will get very large ups and downs replacing T5 lamps every 6-12 months. The E5 will be a VERY consistent output over the 5-8 years and you'll not have the large shocking lamp changing events that many people (not all) complain about.
