Reasonablly Priced LEDs for 180g Build?

[palvyre]

http://apolloreefled.com/

 

[formularedsi]

New to the forum, but I recently set up a 125 Marineland with the Apollo leds. Since I do not have the coral and will take a little while to stock the tank, I decide to go with the
Apollo led 48" kit instead of the 72" kit. For the money it seemed like a good start. I know a lot of reefers run other more expensive leds, AI's and Radions but for my self I could not justify the cost at the moment. The Apollo solarblast UV 5000 are external controlled with their controller or others such as the Apex. I will say that I will purchase the third unit later once I have a good amount of coral to help with the dimmer spots, which would be good for low light coral. I also have a smaller reef tank with PC/Metal halide that I have always had good coral growth and a nice look, I am hoping to see the close to the same results with the leds and I like the look the leds have. I will say that the leds runs a lot cooler than the MH or the PC. So by reducing the heat I am not running a chiller, fans and home a/c working as hard to keep the temp down, that should save on my electric bill! Here is a pic of the tank, this is during the daylight time. Not much rock at moment but will be adding shortly. Don't know if I help but good luck, Tony

 

[bhazard451]

Caveat Emptor

The Reliability and Efficiency of Inexpensive Chinese Imports are not the best.

Look at LEDs like a car, you will pay more for a BMW than a Yugo. Will both get you from A to B...Yes, Will one fail sooner...Yes, Does one have more Horse Power...Yes

You really pay for what you get. Before purchasing an inexpensive import research the vendor as it will fail sooner and you want one with a reputation for good service. Hopefully it wont catch fire...I read a post about LED Fixture Catching Fire. Although this is a different fixture there are more examples.

My experience with Chinese Fixtures is they grow coral, they are inefficient and their drivers fail prematurely.

Bill

Interesting analysis.

I see that you sell Hyper Violet leds, and Meanwell drivers. Those are imported from Taiwan, as are many other products on your site. Are you saying in a blanket statement that all chinese (east asian) imports are suspect? In that case, you just put down your own product.

I've built both DIY (with some parts from reefledlights actually), and have had multiple chinese units. The well built chinese units are still running a year later without a drop in PAR. That ebay link is an Evergrow produced fixture, which is solid. The drivers are solid too. Not all chinese imports are bad.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

Interesting analysis.

I see that you sell Hyper Violet leds, and Meanwell drivers. Those are imported from Taiwan, as are many other products on your site. Are you saying in a blanket statement that all chinese (east asian) imports are suspect? In that case, you just put down your own product.

I've built both DIY (with some parts from reefledlights actually), and have had multiple chinese units. The well built chinese units are still running a year later without a drop in PAR. That ebay link is an Evergrow produced fixture, which is solid. The drivers are solid too. Not all chinese imports are bad.

Sadly there is not a LED Driver Made in the USA. I source as much as I can Domestically. My Experience with the reliability of Chinese Imports is not something I would write home about.

As far as the drivers go you pay for what you get. Mean Well, Inventronics and Hyperon are all made in China/Taiwan and are a lot more reliable and efficient than the standard drivers in the Cidley, Eshine or Evergrow.

Here is a Pic of one of the drivers they use. Note there are no marking what so ever other than input. No serial number, UL or CE certification either.

I'm very curious to see what the average lifespan is. I receive regular calls from people looking to replace their failed drivers.

Bill

 

[bhazard451]

Those must be from eshine or someone else. Too many horror stories from eshine. That is absolutely one led company I would stay away from.

Here is an older pic of a sample Evergrow from a year ago (Photon16). The drivers are much more robust, and measured at 600mah as labeled. The Photon 32 is similar inside. Neatly wired, quick connects, good wire gauge. The leds are connected in serial allow you to interchange leds on the pcb too without issue.

IMG_20120904_230812 Photo by bhazard | Photobucket

IMG_20120904_230746 Photo by bhazard | PhotobucketIMG_20120904_230818.jpg Photo by bhazard | Photobucket

Despite being chinese imports, they are stellar lights. I bought a Radion Pro and had it side by side over my tank. I liked the Evergrow light better, and saved a ton of money going with them instead. Get them from reefbreeders with a US warranty, and you're golden. No worries about needing to ship anything to China.

This is an older shot. I swapped out a few leds since to lower the purple tint. I can take a pic later to show growth, color and new additions. Never fully go by a photo from a cell phone however.

[URL="http://s10.photobucket.com/user/bhazard/media/IMG_20120904_230746.jpg.html?sort=3&o=102"][URL="http://s10.photobucket.com/user/bhazard/media/IMG_20120904_230818.jpg.html?sort=3&o=103"][URL]http://s10.photobucket.com/user/bhazard/media/IMG_20130123_203713.jpg.html?sort=3&o=40[/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[bhazard451]

oops. cant edit posts here?







Photon 16 with (neutral and warm whites custom) and my 180w DIY Cree with Cool/Neutral/Warm whites

 

[CoralFragZ]

I have good luck with these. They can be modded to run off of apex. 120W LED Aquarium Lighting Full Spectrum Coral Reef Growing Moonlight Fixture | eBay

 

[bhazard451]

I have good luck with these. They can be modded to run off of apex. 120W LED Aquarium Lighting Full Spectrum Coral Reef Growing Moonlight Fixture | eBay

Your tank is also one of the best led lit tanks I've ever seen too. It's gorgeous.

Unless that seller stole pictures of the unit, those are Evergrows too.

Notice the led layout?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DIY-LAYOUT-D120-Dimmable-120W-LED-Aquarium-Light/791852309.html

With the amount you have over your tank, you should have set up your own group buy for yourself with them.. lol. Would have dropped down to like $120 a fixture.

 

[CoralFragZ]

I know and I thought about it but went with 4 to validate the quality issue and stagger the fixtures a little. They are running along side of the Apollo 2nd Gen. The Chinese light blows it away in coverage, par and IMO color. If these are doing good in Aug. I am picking up 4 more.

 

[bigfoot86]

The Maxspect Razors have just what you will need for the right price. Quality Cree LEDs and solid, sleek build. Radions and AI vegas just overpriced with some non-essential features.

 

[Jonathan G]

I just switched over from a Maxspect razor to reefbreeders. I was very happy with the Maxspect but it didn't give me the coverage I wanted. I'm also very happy with the reef breeders. I think either one will work for you, I did like how the dimming feature worked on the Maxspect but I was able to re-create my lighting schedule very well on the reef breeders due being able to set changes at half hour increments.

 

[bigfoot86]

Want reasonably priced and well performing LEDs, look into the Maxspect Razors, great lights!

 

[ronnie]

If you want radions, get them. I enjoy mine and know a lot of users like that. If you don't want to spend that much, then I'd go with reef breeders.