Need help
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ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Looks like an Eshine or other Chinese 120 watt fixture.
Depending on the price they may be a good value but depending on how long they were used their life may be limited.
The better Imports use optics and more up to date LEDs not the 1 watt ones which generate more heat and are less efficient.
Bill
Depending on the price they may be a good value but depending on how long they were used their life may be limited.
The better Imports use optics and more up to date LEDs not the 1 watt ones which generate more heat and are less efficient.
Bill
Ron Reefman
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+1
They are new enough to have dimmers (good) but you have about 120 leds and I'm guessing that like Bill said, these are 1W leds. If you are using them over a tank that is 12" or 18" deep... they are probably OK if you are getting them really cheap. I wouldn't even consider them over a 24" deep tank. You'd be better off buying new for $160. You'd be getting 3W leds, lenses and a better spread of spectrum (colors). That light is 2:1 white to blue, you want it the other way around 2:1 or 3:1 blue to white. And a new fixture will give you a mix of blues and white rather than all one blue and all one white.
Hey Ron, that light looks 2:1 Blue to White to me. If you look at the top with the lights off, they yellow LEDs are the whites, and the clear ones are the Blues.
Kimberlee
Active Member
Thx guys, took a lond day yesterday.....They are a 2:1 blue to white and I believe there 3w, as they are really bright and I was told they are 3w. These are intended for use over an 18" softy LPS section of my 2 tier tank. They were also in use for 4 months, before it was thought that a halide would be better over a 90 so they switched back to his halides. I really am trying to see what they are priced at so I can offer a fair price for both parties. Thx again the replies are helpful
Ron Reefman
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Well if they are 2:1 blue to white and they do have dimmers then they are probably OK.
But similar size fixtures that have 3w leds only have 48 or 55 bulbs, not 119. And unless you've looked at a lot of led fixture, and I mean A LOT, you'd be hard pressed to tell a 1w fixture and a 3w fixture by how bright it looks to your eyes. Your eyes deceive you, that's why we use PAR meters to measure the intensity.
But similar size fixtures that have 3w leds only have 48 or 55 bulbs, not 119. And unless you've looked at a lot of led fixture, and I mean A LOT, you'd be hard pressed to tell a 1w fixture and a 3w fixture by how bright it looks to your eyes. Your eyes deceive you, that's why we use PAR meters to measure the intensity.
Kimberlee
Active Member
All great points, I will have a par meter on loan tomorrow, I'll be able to use and check the par against the LED's I already have. And I think w/ them going over LPS and softies they would be just fine....He is asking 175 each and I am trying to make sure that's a fair deal for both parties. He says there 3w, but he can't remember who the manufacturer is, so I'm not 100% that's correct info. Any suggestions regarding a fair price on these?
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Similar new fixtures on EBay are that price. If its a year old +, I would not pay more than 1/2 that asking price.
They are not 3 watt LEDs. You can check by using a Kilowatt meter. Most Chinese companies drive their 3 watt LEDs around 500mA. If these are 3 watt this would measure close to 200 watts.
If they are 3 watt LEDs driven at 1 watt or 300mA you can do better with more up to date LEDs.
Bill
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
The big question is why is he selling them?
My guess is $100 would be fair as the warranty if any may be void.
If they last 1 year your doing better than 4 T5s
Bill
Kimberlee
Active Member
He is selling them because he need halides as he has a deep tank and was not getting enough light penetration. I have very shallow tanks, and am planning to use the over LPS and soft corals. He is asking for trade value though and no actual cash which will pay a big part in the pricing.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Quality LEDs with the proper optics and intensity do better than MH on sand bed PAR readings...
Caveat emptor
Bill
Ron Reefman
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There are fixtures out there that cost less new and delivered and can do more than you need for your tank. So why pay him $175 just because he paid too much? I'd offer him $75 and wouldn't go more than $100. You can get a 3w fixture with lenses, delivered for $160 what will be better than these. And if these were 3w leds, penetration to the bottom of a 30" tank wouldn't be an issue. I have mine running at 65% and get a 200 PAR at the sand. Unless you know this person VERY well, I'd be very careful. I have real doubts about some of what he is telling you (based on the info you have provided). I don't mean to say anything bad about this person, but you asked for our opinions.
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Kimberlee
Active Member
I agree, but I don't think he is miss leading me intentionally I think he is just less informed about LED's than I am, but he's not a forum person and don't think he can get answers like this.
I'd put em over my tank. If the price was right.
