Attn: LED Lighting Gurus... and T5/HQI lighting too!

DivineStler · 03/09/2010, 02:08 PM

I'm working on the details of a custom 24 x 24 x 14 cube and want to do LED Lighting. I was set on going with the Ecoxotic Panorama Fixture, but having some second thoughts now. This fixture has 72 LED's and only consumes 73W. I'm not expert on electricity, but doesn't that mean each bulb is only 1W? I thought the whole reason LED's are now possible for reef aquariums was development of higher output bulbs (3-6W). I really like this fixture because it will be perfect for my square footprint (24 x 17 fixture). The Maxspect lighting (160W) fiootprint seems like it would be better for a rectangle shaped tank.

Can anyone recommend anything? Maybe another LED system with a square footprint? Maybe just a normal T5 system with a square footprint that I could add supplemtal LED's to get the "shimmer effect"?

evilc66 · 03/09/2010, 02:38 PM

The reason the Ecoxotic Panorama works is because they use a lot of LEDs per strip, and a focusing reflector to direct more of the light into the tank. The results are good for a mixed reef with limited sps, but falls short with a full on heavy sps tank.

The Maxspect fixtures could be a decent option, but I'd look at the 110W. It doesn't have the 30W LED in the center, which is pointless for all but the deepest tanks IMO. The 110W uses all 3W LEDs.

DivineStler · 03/09/2010, 02:43 PM

Thanks evilc66. That makes me feel a bit better. I'm not really a huge fan of SPS anyways. Maybe a birdsnest or something on the top, but nothing too demanding.

I really like the more square dimensions of the Ecoxotic, but don't want to get into a position where I'm neglecting performance for aesthetics... especially when these lights have a 700$ price tag!

gcarroll · 03/09/2010, 02:49 PM

best part about the ecoxotic is that it is modular and you can add stunner strips of 460nm and 420nm to get the color to you appeal. Also ecoxotic is in the US so problems can be solved easily.

I have no idea about the Maxspect. but i would fear paying an overseas company for a product that if it breaks I will get no support or would have to ship it overseas for repair.

DivineStler · 03/12/2010, 08:28 PM

I'm gonna go with the EcoXotic. I like that it's modular and can add the stunner strips. Not to mention it just looks far "cleaner" than all the other fixtures I've seen. Fits the modern style of my house.

Just ordered my 24 x 24 x 12 rimless today. I'll take a pic and hopefully get some pars when I get this all up and running.

jwilliams860 · 03/18/2010, 09:02 PM

keep us posted, im getting a 24x24x18 tank, and also interested in same panorama led light, love tos ee some pics

tmgrash · 03/18/2010, 09:12 PM

Why not go with 2 Aquaillumination modules? 48, 3 watt leds. I use 6 on my 72" tanks and am extremely happy.

03/09/2010, 02:08 PM	#1
DivineStler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 636	Attn: LED Lighting Gurus... and T5/HQI lighting too! I'm working on the details of a custom 24 x 24 x 14 cube and want to do LED Lighting. I was set on going with the Ecoxotic Panorama Fixture, but having some second thoughts now. This fixture has 72 LED's and only consumes 73W. I'm not expert on electricity, but doesn't that mean each bulb is only 1W? I thought the whole reason LED's are now possible for reef aquariums was development of higher output bulbs (3-6W). I really like this fixture because it will be perfect for my square footprint (24 x 17 fixture). The Maxspect lighting (160W) fiootprint seems like it would be better for a rectangle shaped tank. Can anyone recommend anything? Maybe another LED system with a square footprint? Maybe just a normal T5 system with a square footprint that I could add supplemtal LED's to get the "shimmer effect"?

03/09/2010, 02:49 PM	#4
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	best part about the ecoxotic is that it is modular and you can add stunner strips of 460nm and 420nm to get the color to you appeal. Also ecoxotic is in the US so problems can be solved easily. I have no idea about the Maxspect. but i would fear paying an overseas company for a product that if it breaks I will get no support or would have to ship it overseas for repair. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

03/09/2010, 02:38 PM	#2
evilc66 Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 245	The reason the Ecoxotic Panorama works is because they use a lot of LEDs per strip, and a focusing reflector to direct more of the light into the tank. The results are good for a mixed reef with limited sps, but falls short with a full on heavy sps tank. The Maxspect fixtures could be a decent option, but I'd look at the 110W. It doesn't have the 30W LED in the center, which is pointless for all but the deepest tanks IMO. The 110W uses all 3W LEDs.

03/09/2010, 02:43 PM	#3
DivineStler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 636	Thanks evilc66. That makes me feel a bit better. I'm not really a huge fan of SPS anyways. Maybe a birdsnest or something on the top, but nothing too demanding. I really like the more square dimensions of the Ecoxotic, but don't want to get into a position where I'm neglecting performance for aesthetics... especially when these lights have a 700$ price tag!

03/12/2010, 08:28 PM	#5
DivineStler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 636	I'm gonna go with the EcoXotic. I like that it's modular and can add the stunner strips. Not to mention it just looks far "cleaner" than all the other fixtures I've seen. Fits the modern style of my house. Just ordered my 24 x 24 x 12 rimless today. I'll take a pic and hopefully get some pars when I get this all up and running.

03/18/2010, 09:02 PM	#6
jwilliams860 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 407	keep us posted, im getting a 24x24x18 tank, and also interested in same panorama led light, love tos ee some pics

03/18/2010, 09:12 PM	#7
tmgrash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 580	Why not go with 2 Aquaillumination modules? 48, 3 watt leds. I use 6 on my 72" tanks and am extremely happy.