Help Me Choose My LED

Reef2011 · Sep 6, 2011

Hello, I am new to the forum and have been reading a lot about LEDs and I decided to take the plunge during my upgrade. I recently bought an ELOS tank and decided I want to go LED after speaking to Jesse who informed me of these forums. I have been reading these threads a lot today and I really like these three choices. Vertex Illumina 260, Maxspect Mazarra-P, and the Ecotech Radion because of their controlibility. [Sorry for similar thread to the other couple I seen] I know the Radion isn't out yet but I seen some info on it and decided it is a possible candidate. I want to light my ELOS 160xl which is 63"L x 31.5"W x 23.5"H. I plan to keep SPS/LPS Clams. I am looking for a light that will supply these needs and most importantly make my corals look the best. Which LED do you believe has the best spectrum to provide the best looking corals for my tank.

The Illumina uses- RB,B, &CW (RED can be added now)

The Mazarra-P uses- RB, B, WW, &CW

The Radion uses- RB, CW, &RGB

Which light do you think will fit my tank best and have the best outcomes?

Reef2011 · Sep 6, 2011

Anyone?

Luwe2008 · Sep 7, 2011

I ran into this about the radion....

Ecotech Marine's Radion XR30 LED Light: a Swing and a Miss? - Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

ReefLEDLights · Sep 7, 2011

I call the excessive "throw in" of random LED colors, "the rainbow effect"

Thanks for posting up the blog post, nice to know there are others who are paying close attention to the C-A and C-B with the spectral graphs.

-Rick

Luwe2008 · Sep 7, 2011

I personally think something like this might be cool.
But I'm not sure, maybe others could weigh in.

Luwe2008 · Sep 7, 2011

or

Batt · Sep 7, 2011

To much red is not good it will cause algae to grow one red led per fixture is good

Luwe2008 · Sep 7, 2011

True.. I probably would go with this then.. 1 red might be too un-uniform..

Reef2011 · Sep 7, 2011

Wow. The Mazarra is winning. What do you guys think about those combos ^^^ Is that a better bulb configuration than the maxspects original configuration?

Reef2011 · Sep 7, 2011

Anyone?

Californiareef · Sep 8, 2011

I like to see what people will say is best fixture

LegoZ81 · Sep 9, 2011

Luwe2008 said:
I ran into this about the radion....

Ecotech Marine's Radion XR30 LED Light: a Swing and a Miss? - Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

well now i am kicking myself in the butt... well it's a sunk cost now, up to hoping for the best... DOH!
His feelings are that no leds are really up to the task but, who knows :wink:

dhutcheson · Sep 9, 2011

I belive that the more complete the spectrum the better. With more LEDs to what we know works like the blue range as far as configuration. I like the design of the Mazzara lights. I ran DIY Cree bulbs XR-E's for a while and feel LED technology for reefs have improves since. My latest set up is not Cree at all and feel they are an improvement over my Cree build. But still not perfect I loved the look of the Cree but the preformace of my latest setup with LED MH and T5's. I think it will take a few more years but that LED's are certainly where the progress is coming from. I am Right where I have always been still looking for the one perfect light.

XavierZ06 · Sep 10, 2011

I like the advancements they have made, And it seems like a well built, well balanced fixture. I would definitely like a pair for my tank. The mount and wireless controller are sweet for the mazarra as well.