chinese led lights

[mlott132]

nynick, do you have the Twilight fixtures? If so, what ratio blue to white are they?

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by nynick

One thing that I noticed about these lights is that the blues are VERY strong! If you like me do not like a tank full of Windex, but rather a more natural look you might replace some of the blue with warm white instead of switching from the other whites.

If I will ever need it and can figure out how to do it I might order some warm white led and replace 20 or 30% of the blues. Currently running white/color channel at 85ish % and blue at 30% max and it is still a little bluer than 14000k halides and 2xT5 actinics.

You can keep the white channel and not modify the blue one by just replacing all the Cool Whites with Warm Whites. It will start dropping in color temp at full power to 10-14k from this alone. You get a 14k look with around 2:1 or 3:2 Royal Blue to Neutral/Warm White. I don't recommend Cool White (10k and up) at all anymore, because they basically have more blue in them and not enough spectrum from reds and greens, and wash out coral color.

If you know how to solder, its really easy to replace the leds with other similar bridgelux leds. All you basically do is heat up the solder to remove the led from the pcb board, and replace with the new one. Thats it.

[nynick]

"That's it" HA! This is something a handy person would say. For someone like me, it usually ends up with 3rd degree burns all over my body and 4 weeks in intensive care. I do make wicked oatmeal cookies though so if you are ever in the Toronto area and in a soldering mood..........

But frankly, they are so strong that all I need to do is adjust my blues and I still get more light than I need. Just in case though, if I ever do replace them. Do I need to stick to the same brand of led? I assume the wattage has to be the same too right?

Mlott, link to my fixture is at the top of page 137.

[Mr Neon]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

You can keep the white channel and not modify the blue one by just replacing all the Cool Whites with Warm Whites. It will start dropping in color temp at full power to 10-14k from this alone. You get a 14k look with around 2:1 or 3:2 Royal Blue to Neutral/Warm White. I don't recommend Cool White (10k and up) at all anymore, because they basically have more blue in them and not enough spectrum from reds and greens, and wash out coral color.

If you know how to solder, its really easy to replace the leds with other similar bridgelux leds. All you basically do is heat up the solder to remove the led from the pcb board, and replace with the new one. Thats it.

One note to that.. Although it may be easy to solder the leds off/on make sure you check them before putting them on as to the positive + and negative - side of the led your putting in otherwise it won't work. Also when you take off the led on the PCB board make sure your aware of the positive and negative side as well since it does not appear to be marked. I already fried a violet led just by testing (my fault- used a driver that was not made for leds- opps).

I have more leds coming to alter my d120. I have 6500 white and uv and violet on top of them sending me 10k whites. Sam told me my d120 had all 12k installed and it is a bit blue for me. I did order 660 reds but I plan on using those of an ATS. I figure the 6500, 10 and 12 k mixed will give me the missing spectrum and a bit more color along with the UV and violets.

[mlott132]

nynick, how do you like the light color with having 4 red,green, and violet?

[mlott132]

What do you guys think of this layout?

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by mlott132

What do you guys think of this layout?

Not enough blue. You have to compensate when lowering the white temp with more blue, not less. Lose the greens completely and make them royal blue.

[mlott132]

Should I keep the reds staggered or have them in a line down the middle of the light?

[cmantis]

Originally Posted by mlott132

What do you guys think of this layout?

Where are you ordering from?

[cmantis]

Originally Posted by nynick

Only negative thing I have to say is that the stuff that they send you for hanging them is a joke pretty much but I never intended to use it anyway. Unless you get at least 2 lights and anchor them together all you will end up with is a LED merry-go-round.

I would highly recommend this product but make your own plans for how you will hang them.

What did you come up with for hanging them?

[mlott132]

Originally Posted by cmantis

Where are you ordering from?

This was my thought on how to correct the LED layout of my Twilight fixture. Not happy with the light and I think they would be more receptive to helping me fix it than sending it back.

[Snausy]

Ok well twilight is out! After waiting I think in the end bhazard you were right in just going with Sam and 4 d120s for now. They will work well and are the cheapest/best option atm for me. Lots of new technology coming out but it will take awhile for it to settle down. For now I'll just get simple lights that just work. No frills.

Bhazard what do you think about this particular one. It has the red-green-violet mix I'm looking for. I'm going to ask for equal cl-nw-ww, is that a good idea?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...587678783.html

Having a 31" deep tank with 4 fixtures across the 8ft top, I wonder if it would be smart to do 60 degree optics in the middle LED with 90 on the outside.

I almost bought one of those "intelligent" 4ft fixtures that have 88led in them but NOBODY has done it yet and I'm not willing to be the beta tester. I've heard great things about Sam and his customer service and that alone is swinging me his way.

I'll just order them today and be done with it....FOR NOW! muhahahahah(looks at wife with evil grin...gets a scowl back)

[nynick]

I like the overall color of my lights, just too blue if I crank up that channel but it you are going with a more natural white I guess it should be fine. I would keep the greens if I were you. Chuck in as many colors as possible, at this point we are all still guessing and taking semi educated stabs at it so a little green may be useless or it may not.

Either way, if you like a bluer tank it tends to drown out greens and make them look brown which also may or may not be good depending on if your green is coral or hair algae

[mlott132]

Maybe what I will do is have them install the greens but send replacement blues just in case. Other than the question on the greens does the setup I posted look good? I want to send it to Lyn tonight and see how he responds.

[navydave]

Great thread!
Who do you recommend?
What color combo/ratio do you recommend for a 90g, 48x24x18 mixed reef?

I think it'll take 2 d120s. I have fish and live rock but want to add softies and maybe an LPS or 2. Thanks.

[bhazard451]

Another new light from Damai, looks pretty decent.

http://damai.en.alibaba.com/product/...ium_light.html

[mlott132]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

Another new light from Damai, looks pretty decent.

http://damai.en.alibaba.com/product/...ium_light.html

I saw those too. The description states that it can simulate sunrise/sunset automatically but does not show the controller. Curious what it looks like.

[biecacka]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

Price/Performance. When the Nova was on sale when you picked it up at $199, that was the best price/performance wise.

You should know my all time favorite is the Nova, but mine is now a heavily modified 180w Cree/Luxeon monster.

I'll box mine up and send me to you to turn into the monster if you'd like me too!
Corey

[mlott132]

Do these LED specs sound about right?

warm white - 6500k
royal blue - 460nm
red - 630nm
green - 515nm
violet - 400nm

[jfarr]

what is the diff between royal blue and just blue i like the black light look but dont want it silly lookin and what are the reasons for or against green i see both sides with no explanation just runnin a 20 gal nano thanx

[darimont]

Just got my lights for twlight and was wondering if anyone knows how to set the timer functions. I have ones with the built in timer with knob dimmers

[mlott132]

Originally Posted by darimont

Just got my lights for twlight and was wondering if anyone knows how to set the timer functions. I have ones with the built in timer with knob dimmers

Did they send you instructions via email? If not I can send them to you, just PM your email.

[cmantis]

Originally Posted by mlott132

Do these LED specs sound about right?

warm white - 6500k
royal blue - 460nm
red - 630nm
green - 515nm
violet - 400nm

violet 420nm

[jiriki]

what's are the differences between nova a4 and d120? pros/cons?

[undertai]

Damai makes some nice looking lights. If you contact them directly you can customize the light. I think they come with white and blue. To add UV it will cost $1 more. Green and red for free.

Here is a price list I got from them last night. Includes a wireless controller for dimming and one controller can control 10 different fixtures. Price does not include shipping but is around $35 to $45 FEDEX 5 day shipping?

DM-40X3W-B (Bridgelux chip)
Unit price: USD248.00 (including wireless controller)

DM-40X3W-C (Cree chip)
Unit price: USD289.00 (including wireless controller)

DM-56X3W-B (Bridgelux chip)
Unit price: USD289.00/pc (including wireless controller)

DM-56X3W-C (Cree chip)
Unit price : USD335.00/pc (including wireless controller)

DM-80X3W-B (Bridgelux chip)
Unit price : USD335.00/pc (including wireless controller)

DM-80X3W-C (Cree chip)
Unit price: USD398.00/pc (including wireless controller)

I'm getting the

DM-40X3W-C (Cree chip)
Unit price: USD289.00 (including wireless controller)

Here is my specs for the light
22 royal Blue
10 cool white 14k
8 natural white 6500k