Getting Lost In The Led World

Tim A

Tim A

Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2017
Location
Sarnia
Hi,

So i am looking at upgrading my lights to more economical lighting, cost effective. Something that doesn’t break the Hyrdo bank and pay more money to Kathleen Wynne. I am getting lost in the world of LED’s and what is good or not etc. I don’t have a 1000 to spend on lights. Tank is 60 cube, 24x24x24. Is there options out there that will work like radions? They seem to be the best, and i know everyone is looking for the best bang for their buck. I am lookin at keeping a some LPS and SPS.
 
Neopimp

Neopimp

Website Doctor
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Location
Sarnia
I have a complete lighting set up that are dimmable and enough lighting to light a 5 ft tank no problem. and i live in sarnia. 200$

probablt spent 900 on this project[emoji4]

just the aluminum heat sinks alone set me back more
 
Last edited:
Neopimp

Neopimp

Website Doctor
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Location
Sarnia
check out my LED build... its a little behind the times in the fact that there is no UV LEDs on the circuit but ou can add them if you so desred. I know the pictures are not linking so I can send them if interested. They ran my 5 ft 110gallon set up for years until by brother went to Metal halides and i got a deal on his LED fixtures. I had one led go bad in the 4 year time span i was running them.

I can send some pcitures if youd like.

There are three driver modules... one blue on each 24 inch fixture and a single white driver for both. Everythign you need read to go.
 
Last edited:
TORX

TORX

Administrator
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Location
Blenheim, Ontario
Website
www.thefragtank.ca
Good lights for 60 cube
Aqua Illumination Hydra 26 HD - $469.00. Possibly paired with Aqua Illumination Prime HD Marine - $249.00 to give you a better spectrum and better power options as you have more control over your lighting.

Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 Pro G4 LED Fixture - 95W - $559.00 and paired with a Ecotech ReefLink - $148.95 for the same reasons as above. Although you do not need a Reeflink as you can do the same thing by direct connecting a computer to the light via usb cable.

Those are the 'top of the line' ones. I suggest the Radion as it would be cheaper and can be controlled with your Apex if you purchase the WXM module for $168.68 but it can be run and controlled fully without a controller at all, which would be cheaper at that point. I also love my Radions and wish I would have switched earlier. Keep in mind that they will last the better part of 10 years or so as well, so they are very cost efficient monthly as well as over their lifetime.

Then there are all the chinese black boxes, which have proven themselves time and time again. Also as @Shooter000 stated, his Mars Aqua is an amazing light. I have seen his set up and following his tanks. That light has been great to him and would for you as well. At the end of the day, decide what the budget is and work with that.
 
SamB

SamB

Super Active Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2015
Location
GTA
My only comment to add from these fine posts is to advise to purchase the best that you can afford. Lighting is one of the more expensive components on our tanks and it is best to purchase best bang for your buck out of the gate rather than going down the seemingly never ending upgrade route
I originally purchased Kessil and I never regretted the decision. Amazing product and always provided great growth for all corals. When I downsized, I sold at only minimal loss.
Having said this, I kinda like that set up from @Neopimp !
 
Last edited:
S

sirhc13

Guest
Neopimp said:
check out my LED build... its a little behind the times in the fact that there is no UV LEDs on the circuit but ou can add them if you so desred. I know the pictures are not linking so I can send them if interested. They ran my 5 ft 110gallon set up for years until by brother went to Metal halides and i got a deal on his LED fixtures. I had one led go bad in the 4 year time span i was running them.

I can send some pcitures if youd like.

There are three driver modules... one blue on each 24 inch fixture and a single white driver for both. Everythign you need read to go.
Click to expand...

would this setup work on a 6ft 220g?
 
Tim A

Tim A

Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2017
Location
Sarnia
Shooter000 said:
I use mars Aqua pretty cheap do an amazing job for colour and colours in the tank, grow lps and sps like mad
Click to expand...
With the MarsAqua can you have them auto turn on like a sunrise and to day and ramp down? Or do you have to do that all by hand manually?
 
kapelan

kapelan

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
With LED we have two options:
1. Buy it as:
a) get top of the line with sunrise/sunset/clouds options
b) get something affordable and simple
2. DIY as whatever you want with any wattage.

Option 1.a require money
Option 1.b will miss some functionality of 1.a, but corals do not care about sunrise - this features for human
Option 2 requires some knowledge of electronic

Probably option 2 is the best by price/quality.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top