need some advice on leds

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

its for people who already own the mars aqua 165 watt to be able to upgrade to the new spectrum from SB Reef lights.

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

Nothing for the bigger ones? Like the 300 watt ones? And is it what they have in the sb reef lights? Will the 165 watt Mars aqua be able to power the sb reef lights?

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

no, nothing for the 300. the retrofit board is only the improved spectrum. it doesn't replace anything else and yes the mars aqua can power it. theyre both 165 watt. but it wouldn't be worth ordering the mars aqua then upgrading. he only put out the retrofit as a way for people who bought the mars aqua in the past to be able to upgrade. he used to organize group buys for the 165 mars aqua and he wanted those who purchased to be able to upgrade to the new lights.

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

Y wouldn't it be worth it?

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

you don't get the rest that's been upgraded such as the fans and better drivers. cost wise it wouldn't make sense.

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

Hmm...if I were to to do that I wouldn't have the fans or heat sink...but would save 200$

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

like I said, its up to you. my advice would be to build your own with rapidled, or to buy the SB reef lights of your choice.

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

Thank you u have really got me thinking about sb reef lights now lol

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

theyre good lights. my next big setup will have them. my last setup had mars aqua. like I said, they worked but the blue was just too light, looks horrible compared to a deeper blue and purple UV. here are a few random pics from my old setup. first pic is from when it was first setup. even once I got it tweeked it didn't give me that deep color I wanted. the SB Reef lights do. but as you can see, the mars aqua will grow coral. that Duncan went from 2 heads to 19 in the matter of a few months under those.

domination2580 · Dec 10, 2015

That's the Mars aqua?

Dtackett · Dec 10, 2015

yup. the old spectrum. half the LEDs are lower than 10K Kelvin and essentially useless, too much red, to light of blue, no uv, loud fans, mounting is a pain because they gotta be hung.