Mars Aqua is amazing

[EmptyWallet]

Agree these are great lights, the PAR output is heaps stronger (seneye) on the 300W compared to a Radion XR15 (both lights claim to cover 2' by 2'). Compared to the Radions\high end lights though, 1. they use heaps more electricity (a factor when comparing total cost of ownership over say 3 years), 2. the fan gets noisey as they age when intensity is over half and 3. They aren't controllable so no dim up/down to simulate the daily cycle. Great for frag and quaranteen tanks, a debate for your display based on the number of light fittings you need and your local electricity prices (here in Aus they are insane, I worked out the Radions are cheaper overall in a 3 year timeframe - assuming the Mars aqua can last 3 years)

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I almost got Mars or similar BB for my 75g Sps tank but ended up staying with MH. I constantly consider oing with these LEDs. I was also wondering on how lound the fans are and its seems they are silent?

 

[EmptyWallet]

Mine are over 12 months old (may be better today?) and I would say the fans are very loud. You wouldn't want one in your living room or a small contained room like a bedroom. The Mars fans only kick in when you turn the intensity dial over about 40% (which I didn't need to do because the PAR was awesome and I QT my corals on a shelf at the top of the tank). My radion XR15's are noisy too when the fan kicks in intermittently (yet frequently) but still say 1/4 of the noise the Mars Aqua make.

 

[David osborne]

Did you not pull off the lenes ?? Its makes tones of difference much better blend of lights and light spread ?

 

[David osborne]

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm starting at 60% blues and 20%whites
Will that be ok as the old t5 unit was really bright

Yes- gradually build. I tend to run 85% blue and 15% white, and red,green at 5%

 

[Gary Inwood]

Did you not pull off the lenes ?? Its makes tones of difference much better blend of lights and light spread ?

I changed all my lens to 120 deg ones and upgraded a few of the light leds and the light was a heck of a lot better

 

[raketemensch]

Still happy with them 6 months later? I'm seriously considering them for my first tank. I was also thinking about the dsunys, but I've seen too many failure threads. That may just be because people post more often about failures than successes.

What are the use cases for the 300s vs the 165s?

 

[Jon Fishman]

Still happy with them 6 months later? I'm seriously considering them for my first tank. I was also thinking about the dsunys, but I've seen too many failure threads. That may just be because people post more often about failures than successes.

What are the use cases for the 300s vs the 165s?

I am maybe 8-9 months into my first one, with 2 more added later

I still love them, but I’m shopping for Kessils. I’m not even upset with the performance etc. I am just trying to get a modern look of “pendant lights”. Heck, I don’t even care about the controllability of the kessils and I will readily admit that I don’t expect any better coral growth. I am hoping for looks with the style of light, and shimmer/look with them on.

I ran 300w ones vs 165 because three of the 300w ones at 32” long each, covered my 96” wide tank.

If my tank were deeper front-to-back maybe I would have gone with 165’s mounted perpendicularly above the tank (so front-to-back) vs running 6 300w ones, but my tank isn’t deep, so I didn’t have to make that decision

 

[raketemensch]

I still love them, but I’m shopping for Kessils. I’m not even upset with the performance etc. I am just trying to get a modern look of “pendant lights”. Heck, I don’t even care about the controllability of the kessils and I will readily admit that I don’t expect any better coral growth. I am hoping for looks with the style of light, and shimmer/look with them on.

Oh, that's great, thanks. My tank is in the basement, so I'm not as worried about appearance as I am functionality, so these should be perfect then.

Are you running a shallow tank? That's my eventual goal, but while I'm learning I'm just using a 55g 48" until I get enough experience to re-do things The Proper Way.

Thanks!

 

[Jon Fishman]

Oh, that's great, thanks. My tank is in the basement, so I'm not as worried about appearance as I am functionality, so these should be perfect then.

Are you running a shallow tank? That's my eventual goal, but while I'm learning I'm just using a 55g 48" until I get enough experience to re-do things The Proper Way.

Thanks!

Yeah, only 18” tall tank

 

[Silent]

This would drive me crazy.

 

[Jon Fishman]

This would drive me crazy.

Same

 

[Flippers4pups]

My Mars boxes been going strong for over 4 years now.

 

[Gary Inwood]

Still happy with them 6 months later? I'm seriously considering them for my first tank. I was also thinking about the dsunys, but I've seen too many failure threads. That may just be because people post more often about failures than successes.

What are the use cases for the 300s vs the 165s?

Hi

I have now got 4 dsuny leds over my 48x24x30 there are good when you get the right light settings for your aquarium.
very bright and they grow corals nicely.

 

[raketemensch]

Hi

I have now got 4 dsuny leds over my 48x24x30 there are good when you get the right light settings for your aquarium.
very bright and they grow corals nicely.

How long have you had them so far? Are they the ones with the fans?

 

[Gary Inwood]

How long have you had them so far? Are they the ones with the fans?

I have had them for about a year and my ones are the ones without fans like these ones:-