LED comparison

alliecat · Sep 19, 2013

Ok- let the firing squad begin... Lol I currently have this fixture and it's been great I've had it 2 yrs almost but I'm thinking its time for a little upgrade. It has grown lps and softies very well. (http://www.aquatraders.com/LED-Aquarium-Lighting-featuring-1W-LED-p/56268.htm) really I'm quite surprised with how good it's been. I'm between these 2 for my next upgrade. This one would literally triple my light output: http://www.aquatraders.com/BeamsWork-HI-LUMEN-LED-Fixture-Quad-Power-48-TR-p/56278.htm
Then there's this one, don't know too much about it but it's full spectrum, however less LEDs: http://bit.ly/1gyuZc2

Keep in mind I'm not looking to go crazy, I don't really want to nor can I do sps anyway (don't like it, plus I have a Valentini puffer that munched a monti when someone gave me a frag to try) just looking for an upgrade (Christmas present lol). I have a canopy so a lot of the other fixtures that are out there don't fit the bill, I've been happy with LEDs for their functionality, low heat output, as well as how they fit in my canopy. I don't want a DIY I really like the streamlined fixtures. I also don't want to spend $800 on lights (don't see a need to being that I don't do sps) So with these guidelines in mind judge away!

alliecat · Sep 19, 2013

No one?

frankdontsurf · Sep 19, 2013

I'd go with a full spectrum fixture that the whites are 'Neutral'. It's been proven that full spectrum and blue+royal blue/neutral white are what currently works best and looks great. You already have a 50/50 fixture that is probably more than enough for your tank - I think you'd enjoy the visual stimulation and color enhancement on a Full Spectrum fixture. That being said, your last link would be my go to based on these few options.

I'm going to post some more options to confused you, I'll be back to post again. Personally I'd go with a Razor knock off just because that fixture looks randy.

alliecat · Sep 19, 2013

I'm almost wondering if there's a way I can get a strip of full spectrum to supplement what I already have. Got into a convo with the guy at my lfs today he said if I upgrade I might bleach a lot of my stuff. Especially with that big aquatraders fixture. He said I should try and at least add more blue and not so much white because that could be what is already giving me algae problems because my fixture is so white already

Squishie89 · Sep 19, 2013

Just a thought; look into buildmyled.com you can either create your own light or go with the pre configured models. I have a 14k reef spectrum and an actinic fixture over my tank. But with this you could do the supplementation you were talking about.

alliecat · Sep 20, 2013

I wish I heard of this website before! Not too expensive and these fixtures look good!

alliecat · Sep 20, 2013

squishie: for your 14k fixture- is it dual channel because i might do that for the supplement if i can turn the whites off for the majority of the day and have them on for 3 hours at the "peak" of the day in addition to the whites on my current fixture- and then have just the colors on for the remainder of the day when the whites on my other fixture are on to balance it out and get a full spectrum and increase light without overdoing the whites and creating an algae bloom

alliecat · Sep 20, 2013

or im wondering if i should just straight up do one of their supplement lights.... just dont know which one

Squishie89 · Sep 20, 2013

No the lights are single channels. Sorry :-(

alliecat · Sep 21, 2013

****! Maybe they can do a custom one for me thats just spectrum then and no whites just because i have SO much white...

Squishie89 · Sep 21, 2013

You could get the actinic fixture. Super Actinic Reef Spectrum - Build My LED, LLC

frankdontsurf · Sep 21, 2013

search for the reefbreeders Value LED

Ron Reefman · Sep 21, 2013

I have a 55g tank that has 2 OceanRevive Arctic S026 fixtures. They are a sponsor here on R2R. I got them about 4-5 months ago and they have worked great. You should check them out... and I see they are still having a sale!

alliecat · Sep 22, 2013

those are nice and the price is great the problem is though, i have a canopy. space is very limited

1reeflover · Nov 12, 2013

+1 on Reefbreeders! Awesome & extremely reasonable!!!

Ron Reefman · Nov 13, 2013

How big is your canopy? If any of these other fixtures fit, why wouldn't this one? Am I missing something?

It's less than 2" thick (less than 3" adding in the height of the power cord plug). The Reef Breeders fixtures are over an inch thicker (4"+ with the power cord plug). It was one of the reasons I switched to the OceanRevive S026 from the standard D120 'brick'.

CKI · Nov 13, 2013

Reef Radiance - Home ... thats all i use on my tanks and they are priced right! Check out the DM-132e fixture.

Ron Reefman · Nov 13, 2013

You really want to figure out what kind of color you want in your tank. The blue to white led ratio makes a big difference. The Reef Breeders are about 3:1 blue to white, the OceanRevive and EverGrow fixtures are about 2:1 and the Reef Radiance is more like 1:1. I'm not saying one is right or another is wrong, I'm saying they are different and it affects the range of color you can get and the more blue you can run, the healthier it is for the coral. It doesn't take many white leds to really wash out the blue look of the tank (to our eyes). But the blue is still in there for the corals to use. Adding more white does increase the PAR, but PAR in the red, yellow and green spectrum are of very limited use to the coral. You want to get most of your PAR from the blue spectrum. IMHO.

alliecat · Nov 13, 2013

I just want a fuller color spectrum instead of just white/blue. And if I add a reef breeders fixture to the fixture I have that's 2 4" fixtures (8") and with all the plumbing into my tank that takes up room I won't be able to get in the tank so id have to replace my fixture entirely