kstone2274
Active Member
Whats is the real difference in Cree Leds that Brigelux or epistar. They are all 3w . Just curious
Led difference
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saltyphish
Certified Sand Groomer
I believe it has to do with bin # and color temp.
tyler1503
2500 Club Member
I've always wondered this. If they produce the same spectrum at the same intensity, how can one be more superior to another?
Obviously build quality is an important factor, but there has to be more than that.
Obviously build quality is an important factor, but there has to be more than that.
twilliard
Tank pests..
Lots of reading online will answer your question.
from what I have read it has a lot to do with the mounting.
heat will make the difference
Not the mounting in the fixture but the diode mating surface to the chip
from what I have read it has a lot to do with the mounting.
heat will make the difference
Not the mounting in the fixture but the diode mating surface to the chip
I think some just complicate it to make more money. My unit cost half of what the same size Radion or AI does and I get awesome color and growth from all my corals. But hey I don't know crap about LED [emoji12]
juanorz
Community Member
I tend not to agree on this. My radion g3 at 50 percent is wayyyy brighter than any LED fixture I have ever owned. Also all led are not created equal. A 3 watt cree has way more output and is brighter than a 3 watt bridgelux. Im not saying they will not grow coral or color them, but which will make them look got using less energy. And of course optics play a huge role also.
Higher quality LEDs are much more efficient. You can get more light for less power which can run cooler and prolong life. There are other differences, but there are led experts floating around here that know much more than I do. Even the same led color and brand has different bins that are sorted into higher quality.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
It's a huge difference.
For starters dated 3 watt LEDs produce a lot more heat. This heat reduces efficiency and requires better thermal management.
EBay Fixtures use these LEDs with little thermal management and the result is a disposable fixture. One that cost the same as a MH or T5 bulb replacement over 2 years.
Higher end fixtures generally use Cree LEDs. These are binned in 5 intensity variations and 28 different colour variations for the cool white.
Crees X series also has intensity binning with the brighter bins being more efficient producing less heat and more light.
Here is a pic of two different Cree cool whites. One is a warmer bin the other is a cooler bin
Unless you specify a Bin, LEDs "are like a box of chocolates" You dont know what you're going to get.
Its almost impossible to verify the Bins of Epistar and Bridgelux LEDs from suppliers.
Most companies do not specify bins as its more expensive to choose the brighter R5 and the cooler temps like 7.5K are less common than the 6K.
The R5 Bins can be 20% brighter than the R1 or R2 using the same electricity.
I always looked at creating a LED fixture like a Chili Cook Off.
Some are worthy while most simply do not measure up....Its all in the ingredients...
There is a lot more information online.
Hope this helps
Bill
For starters dated 3 watt LEDs produce a lot more heat. This heat reduces efficiency and requires better thermal management.
EBay Fixtures use these LEDs with little thermal management and the result is a disposable fixture. One that cost the same as a MH or T5 bulb replacement over 2 years.
Higher end fixtures generally use Cree LEDs. These are binned in 5 intensity variations and 28 different colour variations for the cool white.
Crees X series also has intensity binning with the brighter bins being more efficient producing less heat and more light.
Here is a pic of two different Cree cool whites. One is a warmer bin the other is a cooler bin
Unless you specify a Bin, LEDs "are like a box of chocolates" You dont know what you're going to get.
Its almost impossible to verify the Bins of Epistar and Bridgelux LEDs from suppliers.
Most companies do not specify bins as its more expensive to choose the brighter R5 and the cooler temps like 7.5K are less common than the 6K.
The R5 Bins can be 20% brighter than the R1 or R2 using the same electricity.
I always looked at creating a LED fixture like a Chili Cook Off.
Some are worthy while most simply do not measure up....Its all in the ingredients...
There is a lot more information online.
Hope this helps
Bill
Last edited:
scardall
2500 Club Member
Finally @ReefLEDLights . I have tried without success to convince others of this. My fixture uses Cree's led's. gen 3 & no fans plus has 50% more light than other fixtures of the same wattage plus superior PUR. I have 2 of these for 1.7 years + and no issues. I have been on your sight and would buy your fixture before others at a similar price and those who buy the short term fixtures that grow corals so well any day. (If you have to Run your Fixture at 50% or less than WHY did you buy it) 
nitro
Well-Known Member
Hello,
I totally respect and appreciate the answers that give you the proof and explain what is what. I am going to try the reef led's on my next tank later this year. Now I just need a sale
Thanks,Larry
I totally respect and appreciate the answers that give you the proof and explain what is what. I am going to try the reef led's on my next tank later this year. Now I just need a sale
Thanks,Larry
