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Entry Level LED's

AJ1080

AJ1080

Ok,

So after being in it for about a year Ive realized one thing.

I don't have the temptation to go onto more difficult or exotic SPS. Im very happy with my zoas, softies, lps, and monti's.

I do want to move up to LED's because:
1) The cost of replacing my current T-5's is about 1/4 the cost of LED's,
2) with my canopy I do notice about a 4-5 degree swing in tank temp, and
3) As stupid as it sounds, I really miss the shimmer of the old MH lighting I had.

If I go ahead and do this Im going to spend less than $400 because honestly its not worth it for me to move up to the next level here.

Heres the ones I've seen that I can do my 75 for under 400.

  • Deep Blue Solar Flare DX 48"
  • Evo Quad LED by Green Element 48"
  • Tao Tronics Dimmable (x2)

Can anyone tell me any positives or negatives they've heard about these. If theres anything else at the same price rang that I missed please let me know.

Thank you
 
Chrisgarrick

Chrisgarrick

I have the marine land 1 watt reef ready led. Can't grow hard stuff well but softies grow like crazy. They aren't dimmable but they work.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
Brando457 said:
Any recommendations for a LED lit 180 gallon fowlr?
Click to expand...

If you are truly going to stay a fowlr, then these are the best for the money:

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquarium-LED-Lighting/I/Marineland-Single-Bright-LED-Lighting-System.aspx

They also have the double lights for a little more umph:
http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquar...neland-Double-Bright-LED-Aquarium-Lights.aspx

Then if you want to bring out some other colors on the fish I would recommend the red eco exotic stunner strips.

\\\\\\\\AJ I have no idea on the lower end units, so I have not response.
 
ecam

ecam

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NJRC Member
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I guess i will ask here as well... im setting up a 40 gallon breeder (36 x 18 x 17) for my ever expanding sebae. i want to be able to keep all options (lps, sps softies clams) any recommendations?


Sorry to hijack the thread.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
My recommendation is to do some research on the heat dissipation design of a fixture before you buy it.

LEDs don't give off a lot of heat, but the diodes can't withstand long periods of high heat either.

If the fixture you get doesn't have a good heat sink and/or cooling fans to keep the diodes cool... then the lifespan of your LEDs won't be even close to what is advertised.

Also, generally you should get one where the LEDs are running at or near 2watts each. 1watt LEDs typically don't have enough par deeper that 18" for sps.
 
jgraz

jgraz

AJ,
Reef central has a huge thread on the Chinese LEDs. The tao tronics take up a good portion of the thread. Seems people like them very much. And even if you decided to move up on the coral scale. You would be good.
 
Brando457

Brando457

I'm definitely staying fowlr, not going to do a full blown reef at all! Although I may throw in a few zoa frags to let them grow, but definitely nothing crazy like my past tanks. Especially since I'll have the angels and such.

I may honestly wait for the AI Vega to come out and see what the AI Sol Blues drop in price, the AI VEGA is only $399 pre-order, so my guess is AI will drop the Sol Blue to around $250 or so in a month or two.
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

Brando457 said:
I'm definitely staying fowlr, not going to do a full blown reef at all! Although I may throw in a few zoa frags to let them grow, but definitely nothing crazy like my past tanks. Especially since I'll have the angels and such.

I may honestly wait for the AI Vega to come out and see what the AI Sol Blues drop in price, the AI VEGA is only $399 pre-order, so my guess is AI will drop the Sol Blue to around $250 or so in a month or two.
Click to expand...

The Vega's are available from my supplier, but not at $399.

The sol blue has come down, but not to that price. At least not yet. If you're interested, PM me, I'll get you current prices on them.
 
Lostinthedark

Lostinthedark

NJRC Member
I have 4 Chinese LEDs on a 225. SPS grows well and the clams are growing even on the sand at the bottom. For $150 on Ebay you can't go wrong, especially for a fowlr. That being said, I am
eventually looking to go with the Maxspect razors that just came out.
If you follow Manhattan Reefs and Reefcentral there are always people upgrading there leds and some very good deals can be had.
 
downbeach

downbeach

adesimone1 said:
You get what you pay for. Reef Plus has some good leds for the price.
Click to expand...

Tazmaniancowboy said:
AJ, I saw these demo'd at a meeting and I would buy them in a heartbeat if I had money right now. Especially under your criteria.

http://www.njreefers.org/showthread.php?78380-It-s-LED-time-again!!!&p=705883#post705883
Click to expand...

+1

These would be right in your price range, and with the dimming allow flexibility for additional growth when/if you decide to add some more photo sensitive species. I'd figure on two over a 48" tank.
 
Brando457

Brando457

I can't pm from my phone idk why, but if you can pm me I'd be interested

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
 
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