Led Lights

[harleymike]

So, just starting backup. Im in the T5 or LED debate right now.
I think T5 over the frag tank and led over what ever display i end up with but who knows.
Still researching.
I did DIY led last time.

But looking at the prices of some led fixtures. Holly crap. Really.
What the hell is inside these things. Frigging Gold.

I also bet, if you tear into one, parts are from china.
What could possibly justify 800 plus dollars for whats in that little box of Led lights.
And you need at last two in most cases.
Even some of the pod type ones. Come on.
Are we all that friggin gullible.

I realize they are high end, great stuff. But the markup must be insane.
Probably cost 100 bucks to build.
Am I missing something here.

Unless I win the lottery, I wont own any. Maybe used if its a great deal.

OK, I am done ranting.

 

[kapelan]

Fixture for t5 bulbs 200W: 4x54W, $30 each = $120 just bulbs
The same wattage of LED about $200
Now the price is the same.

 

[harleymike]

Kinda. But I would need at least two led lights. So at least 1600 dollars.
Its along time replacing bulbs to get to 1600 dollars.

Actually with that said, even some T5 fixtures are stupid prices. What really is to them.
LOL.
Sorry sick of the overprices stuff in this hobby.

 

[Quartapound]

IMO,
High end LED lights are definitely expensive... but for the most part, I think it's justified... not that I like it.

These lights represent what's capable on the cutting edge of technology. As with any other similar tech (cellphones, cameras, etc) it's going to have quite a premium price tag attached to it... Likely with a large portion of that cost representing R&D and marketing, not the cost of the materials required to make it.

You can always save money and buy Chinese black box leds... but realize you won't be on the cutting edge of what the industry has to offer (which is what you're paying for with 'premium' lights)... That said, they often seem to work just fine, and many have success with them...

I still love T5, but I definitely wouldn't consider them a 'significantly cheaper' option to premium LED fixtures, at least not in the long run. The cost of bulb replacements and electricity definitely adds up over time.

Even with all that 'perceived value', I'm sure there's still one hell of a markup...But people are in business to make money, and reef tanks represent an insanely small percentage of the market, with regards to the pet industry... We need another 100 million people on earth to get reef tanks!

 

[Alexanneka]

Kinda. But I would need at least two led lights. So at least 1600 dollars.
Its along time replacing bulbs to get to 1600 dollars.

Actually with that said, even some T5 fixtures are stupid prices. What really is to them.
LOL.
Sorry sick of the overprices stuff in this hobby.

Unless you are looking to go extremely high end you can get away with 2 led light fixtures from viparspectra off Amazon or eBay for around 350 delivered to your door. I believe eBay was abit cheaper for the exact same lights. I have a set on my 4x2x10" inch frag tank and can tell you that these would suffice on a 4x2x2 full tank. I have them dialed down to about 30 to 40 percent and still seems too much. The are dual channel blue and white with a couple other bulbs thrown in, they don' ramp up or down but they are provgramable.
VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control 165W LED Aquarium Light Dimmable Full Spectrum for Coral Reef Grow Fish Tank https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00UMXAR5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NOORAb52MJYTC

 

[Alexanneka]

Kinda. But I would need at least two led lights. So at least 1600 dollars.
Its along time replacing bulbs to get to 1600 dollars.

Actually with that said, even some T5 fixtures are stupid prices. What really is to them.
LOL.
Sorry sick of the overprices stuff in this hobby.

If you decide that you wanna go t5 I have a couple of used fixtures that are 6 and 8 bulb I'd be willing to part with but in all honesty my price point for just the fixture would only be about 50 to 100 off the cost of those led fixtures I linked up for ya.

 

[harleymike]

If you decide that you wanna go t5 I have a couple of used fixtures that are 6 and 8 bulb I'd be willing to part with but in all honesty my price point for just the fixture would only be about 50 to 100 off the cost of those led fixtures I linked up for ya.

Thanks, ya I looked those from your link. Gonna do some research.
I did really well with T5 before. But I get it, the bulbs the hydro it adds up over time.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Alexanneka]

Thanks, ya I looked those from your link. Gonna do some research.
I did really well with T5 before. But I get it, the bulbs the hydro it adds up over time.

Thanks for the help.

Your welcome and as I said if you decide to go the t5 route gimme a shout and will see if we can work out a deal. Best of luck.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[harleymike]

So what about this, and then I would do a DIY with some supplement Led in the middle.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

 

[TORX]

There is a huge difference in why the price is so high on the high end lights. That is what happens when the 'black box' lights and similar products do not pay for any rights, research and design and put the cheapest Chinese parts installed by slave line workers. This hobby is not a million parts a year product line and prices will be reflective in people need their living wage on top of running a business. Not that I am against black boxes or jebao type products, but when they do not need a design and research department other then buy a Radion open and copy, there is a huge difference in price. The parts that are installed in them are considered disposable, even Jebao now boasts on their main retailer site that you will have to replace the pumps every year.

A 4' ATI will cost $700 plus about $250 a year in bulbs and runs about $40 a month more in hydro then 2 Radion XR30 G4 Pro. 2 New Radion XR30 G4 Pro will set you back $2200. So with both of the most expensive brands compared, you will be close to the same cost after just a few years and not have to worry about bulb replacements.

ATI example: First year = $700 (fixture) + $250 (bulbs\yr) + $500 (more hydro\yr) = $1450 from there: ($250 (bulbs) + $500 (more hydro) = $750 yearly)

There are several other cheaper good brands. AI is the cheap line of lights by Ecotech. Kessil is also great and on the cheaper side while still enjoying the benefits of US made and US safety ratings.

 

[TORX]

Your welcome and as I said if you decide to go the t5 route gimme a shout and will see if we can work out a deal. Best of luck.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Canadian link - same lights

http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/AquaticLife-48-T5HO-LED-Hybrid-4x54W.html

 

[Alexanneka]

Canadian link - same lights

http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/AquaticLife-48-T5HO-LED-Hybrid-4x54W.html

Same as?

 

[TORX]

http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/AquaticLife-48-T5HO-LED-Hybrid-4x54W.html

Your welcome and as I said if you decide to go the t5 route gimme a shout and will see if we can work out a deal. Best of luck.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Same as?

Sorry, I thought I added it in the reply. Just for comparing prices, CAD to CAD is nice.

Sorry for the earlier long winded post. I guess I am getting stir crazy and my sight is starting to come back lol.

 

[Alexanneka]

Ah I see i think you quoted the wrong post.

 

[Alexanneka]

Think you meant to quote @harleymike

 

[kapelan]

Kinda. But I would need at least two led lights. So at least 1600 dollars.
Its along time replacing bulbs to get to 1600 dollars.

Actually with that said, even some T5 fixtures are stupid prices. What really is to them.
LOL.
Sorry sick of the overprices stuff in this hobby.

I also prefer to have original of this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...y_Leonardo_da_Vinci,_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg
But due to financial circumstances I just have a mirror on the wall.

 

[Fredk]

There is a huge difference in why the price is so high on the high end lights. That is what happens when the 'black box' lights and similar products do not pay for any rights, research and design and put the cheapest Chinese parts installed by slave line workers. This hobby is not a million parts a year product line and prices will be reflective in people need their living wage on top of running a business. Not that I am against black boxes or jebao type products, but when they do not need a design and research department other then buy a Radion open and copy, there is a huge difference in price. The parts that are installed in them are considered disposable, even Jebao now boasts on their main retailer site that you will have to replace the pumps every year.

A 4' ATI will cost $700 plus about $250 a year in bulbs and runs about $40 a month more in hydro then 2 Radion XR30 G4 Pro. 2 New Radion XR30 G4 Pro will set you back $2200. So with both of the most expensive brands compared, you will be close to the same cost after just a few years and not have to worry about bulb replacements.

ATI example: First year = $700 (fixture) + $250 (bulbs\yr) + $500 (more hydro\yr) = $1450 from there: ($250 (bulbs) + $500 (more hydro) = $750 yearly)

There are several other cheaper good brands. AI is the cheap line of lights by Ecotech. Kessil is also great and on the cheaper side while still enjoying the benefits of US made and US safety ratings.

I'll disagree with the first part of the bolded sentence and agree with the second part. There are not patent infringements involved in chinese lights. They do, for the most part use cheaper components and the labour is definitely cheaper.

Your god awful expensive iPhone is also made with cheap Chinese labour.

 

[Fredk]

Harleymike. You could probably DIY an led equivalent to the Radions for half the cost. Might not look so purdy though...

 

[harleymike]

Harleymike. You could probably DIY an led equivalent to the Radions for half the cost. Might not look so purdy though...

I did that last time. They worked great. I am leaning now towards a hybrid system. Might order that 4 bulb hybrid, or buy a used one and add DIY leds.

 

[harleymike]

Question. Whats the deal with these par 38 bulbs.

Would they work with T5 as a supplement.