Best LED only fixture?

[myram]

My current LED lighting is a Chinese 16" full spectrum light. While I'm happy with the colors and performance for the money I have invested, I know there are better out there.
My tank is a 54 corner tank, softies, LPS, and a couple SPS. Full closed hood on top, so the light is 8" off the water.

I've looked at the Radions and Maxpect R420R and many others...............I want to stay with LED only, don't want to deal with MH or T5 due to the heat and bulb changes. I'm not a fan of the Kessil shimmer, way too fake for me.......so don't recommend them to me.

For my tank..........What is the best LED fixture on the market right now that provides the best PAR and PUR, for my tank? I'm limited to a 24" fixture, which normally isn't an issue to cover my area.

Steve

[fijisrfr]

Check out the vertex illumina. The one foot model will easily cover 24x24.

[myram]

I really like the Maxspect R420R 120w 16k.........great reviews, great price, and it will cover my tank.

The Vertex Illumina SR260 looks very nice as well, not sure a 1foot model will cover that well. Need to do more research on this for sure.

[fishcraze_1]

Reef Breeders Photon 24

[Bpb]

What do you notice as the most successful led users are using. Look around on tank journals and led success story posts. What seems to be the most successful unit? You can throw theory and money and numbers all over the place but what do you notice works the best for most people? Seems to me like it's the ecotech radion pro. There are more expensive fixtures, cheaper fixtures, people that talk about how theoretically another should be just as good for a fraction the cost...but the radions seem to have the best track record

[toky916]

Hydra 52 has done wonders in color in my coral and growth as any led be careful !!
U will burn your coral if it's too strong then ppl blame the fixture if user error.

[trueperc]

For all the mostly successful led light spa tanks most have been using either radion or hydra52s Also though most have using double the amount of fixtures the manufacture says the tanks needs.

[myram]

I don't buy into the Ecotech hype, and their subsequent higher prices. While the Radion gets great reviews, at $750 I feel there are better options for less money. Just like their Vortechs, yes they look great in the tank with no wires and a fancy controller......there are better options for much less money.

The Maxspect seems to be everything I'm looking for, at $420 new.....or of course there are some used options. But buying used is not the best option with lighting, usage does take it's toll on the LED's.

[trueperc]

I would consider maybe the hydra26 over maxspect. This is what I am doing currently. You have better control over colour. At the same time I would really wait until macna is here and over. I know maxspect itself has a few new led options that might be coming to lite then.

[unze]

a great led is the zetlight lt6600, It is far better light than the maxspec
200w and can be controlled by APEX.

[myram]

Very mixed reviews on that fixture............looks like a pass to me.

[slief]

Originally Posted by myram

I don't buy into the Ecotech hype, and their subsequent higher prices. While the Radion gets great reviews, at $750 I feel there are better options for less money. Just like their Vortechs, yes they look great in the tank with no wires and a fancy controller......there are better options for much less money.

The Maxspect seems to be everything I'm looking for, at $420 new.....or of course there are some used options. But buying used is not the best option with lighting, usage does take it's toll on the LED's.

Then why bother asking what the best fixture is if your not going to buy the "hype"? More importantly, why even call it hype when in reality, the hype is for the most part based on proven success and overall quality backed by stellar support.

People choose the Radion's over the Maxspect's for a number of reasons. Aside from the quality of the LED's and the ability to choose color spectrums, acclimation cycles, their software and the fact that they can be controlled via software, Ecotech also has great support here in the US and you are not dependent on distribution for that support. I have a Maxspect Razor over my fuge and it's not even close to the Ecotech as far as functionality or quality in my humble opinion. If you want to compare it to a ReefBreeders fixture than so be it but at this stage comparing Maxspect to Ecotech is lunacy other than the fact that they both light your tank and can grow corals.. There is much more to Ecotech than just the hype..


As for what LED's are best, I will base my comments on what I have seen first hand and what is proven to grow corals of all types and also include functionality and the ability to be controlled by controllers. Given that I run an Apex, that controllability is important to me just as it is with others. Also factory support and quality is very high on my list when it comes to determining what the best LED is.

Ecotech Radion Pro G3, Kessil 360WE and AI Hydra are what I consider to be the best fixtures out there based on the above mentioned criteria.

Other fixtures I would rank high on the list would without the ability of external control include Pacific Sun, Vertex Illumina, Orphek, Maxspect, Reefbreeders. In that order although I'd probably put Reef Breeders ahead of Maxspect because you can choose your spectrum and they are supported here in the US.

That said, my priorities play a large role in what I deem as best. Best for my needs is key here and as I said, I'd only choose a proven fixture with the features and controllability I mentioned above and most importantly, US based factory support as lighting my tank requires a sizable investment in several fixtures. Features, quality and support trump cost for me. I don't cut corners when it comes to my tank as I have far too much invested in it.

Only you can decide what is best for your needs. Especially since you are clearly predispositioned when it comes to what you think is best and what you deem to be "hype"..

As far as usage taking a toll on LED's... Says who? That is utter non sense in my opinion. I back that with over 25 + years in the computer manufacturing and service industry and plenty of experience with diodes. I will also point out that my current Reeftech LED fixtures are about 4 years old now. They run 11 hours a day at up to 80% and after 4 years, my Par hasn't dropped a bit according to my Apogee Par meter and not a single LED failed either. The toll comes with cheap power supplies and cheap drivers. Maybe your statement holds true with the cheaper Chinese fixtures but it certainly doesn't hold true with the high end quality fixtures.. A quality fixture should last plenty long and quality LED's should not be compromised even over the course of several years.

[msr224]

54g corner. Orphek Atlantik.

[triggreef]

Originally Posted by toky916

Hydra 52 has done wonders in color in my coral and growth as any led be careful !!
U will burn your coral if it's too strong then ppl blame the fixture if user error.

This.

I'd just add another of what you already have. They are good and seeing as though you can buy 6 of them for the price of one radion, well I'll stop there.

[myram]

Originally Posted by slief

Then why bother asking what the best fixture is if your not going to buy the "hype"? More importantly, why even call it hype when in reality, the hype is for the most part based on proven success and overall quality backed by stellar support.

People choose the Radion's over the Maxspect's for a number of reasons. Aside from the quality of the LED's and the ability to choose color spectrums, acclimation cycles, their software and the fact that they can be controlled via software, Ecotech also has great support here in the US and you are not dependent on distribution for that support. I have a Maxspect Razor over my fuge and it's not even close to the Ecotech as far as functionality or quality in my humble opinion. If you want to compare it to a ReefBreeders fixture than so be it but at this stage comparing Maxspect to Ecotech is lunacy other than the fact that they both light your tank and can grow corals.. There is much more to Ecotech than just the hype..


As for what LED's are best, I will base my comments on what I have seen first hand and what is proven to grow corals of all types and also include functionality and the ability to be controlled by controllers. Given that I run an Apex, that controllability is important to me just as it is with others. Also factory support and quality is very high on my list when it comes to determining what the best LED is.

Ecotech Radion Pro G3, Kessil 360WE and AI Hydra are what I consider to be the best fixtures out there based on the above mentioned criteria.

Other fixtures I would rank high on the list would without the ability of external control include Pacific Sun, Vertex Illumina, Orphek, Maxspect, Reefbreeders. In that order although I'd probably put Reef Breeders ahead of Maxspect because you can choose your spectrum and they are supported here in the US.

That said, my priorities play a large role in what I deem as best. Best for my needs is key here and as I said, I'd only choose a proven fixture with the features and controllability I mentioned above and most importantly, US based factory support as lighting my tank requires a sizable investment in several fixtures. Features, quality and support trump cost for me. I don't cut corners when it comes to my tank as I have far too much invested in it.

Only you can decide what is best for your needs. Especially since you are clearly predispositioned when it comes to what you think is best and what you deem to be "hype"..

As far as usage taking a toll on LED's... Says who? That is utter non sense in my opinion. I back that with over 25 + years in the computer manufacturing and service industry and plenty of experience with diodes. I will also point out that my current Reeftech LED fixtures are about 4 years old now. They run 11 hours a day at up to 80% and after 4 years, my Par hasn't dropped a bit according to my Apogee Par meter and not a single LED failed either. The toll comes with cheap power supplies and cheap drivers. Maybe your statement holds true with the cheaper Chinese fixtures but it certainly doesn't hold true with the high end quality fixtures.. A quality fixture should last plenty long and quality LED's should not be compromised even over the course of several years.

That's the type of info I like to read, well thought out responses.

Thanks

[Patrick Cox]

I'm considering an LED fixture and I am leaning towards the ATI Sirius. You might want to have a look at that one. ATI has a great reputation for making quality light fixtures. Good luck in your decision.

[that Fish Guy]

Originally Posted by myram

My current LED lighting is a Chinese 16" full spectrum light. While I'm happy with the colors and performance for the money I have invested, I know there are better out there.
My tank is a 54 corner tank, softies, LPS, and a couple SPS. Full closed hood on top, so the light is 8" off the water.

I've looked at the Radions and Maxpect R420R and many others...............I want to stay with LED only, don't want to deal with MH or T5 due to the heat and bulb changes. I'm not a fan of the Kessil shimmer, way too fake for me.......so don't recommend them to me.

For my tank..........What is the best LED fixture on the market right now that provides the best PAR and PUR, for my tank? I'm limited to a 24" fixture, which normally isn't an issue to cover my area.

Steve

I find it funny that you think the Kessil Shimmer looks Fake.

Many people actuall get Kessil because they feel that the other lights you mentioned looked Fake with the "Disco Ball Shimmer".

Usually the top selling point on the Kessil is the Shimmer because it looks most natural since that is what it actually looks like in the Ocean.

Also, the Shimmer is like Metal Halide so people transitioning from Metal Halide to LED love the Shimmer.

[myram]

Disco ball has to do with the optics, too tight on the optics and you get the disco ball effect.

I know a lot of people who don't like the Kessil look, but I know people who do...........it's all about personal preferences.

[chris@CoralVue]

Originally Posted by unze

a great led is the zetlight lt6600, It is far better light than the maxspec
200w and can be controlled by APEX.

Maxspect doesn't have a 200W Razor model. Also, the Zetlight is a Razor copy.

Chris

[GroktheCube]

Whatever you do, I'd make sure to get some ~420nm LEDs in there.

Many LED fixtures have a giant gap between 405 ("Ultra Violet") and 450 (Royal Blue).

[lafayettereefer]

I'll be using 3 rapidleds onyx fixtures on my 115gal. I currently run their LEDs retro kit on my bio cube and have been having great growth and color. I really liked dealing with the company because their customer service is top notch and theyre in the us. M

[Miz40B]

www.reefradiance.com I run the LumenTek Pro 180 on my 40B. Awesome fixture! Total controability, remote control, 1 cord, and now apex compatible. Very easy on the wallet too

[unze]

Very mixed reviews on that fixture............looks like a pass to me.

What mixed reviews?? most look really good. also i think APEX can run them.
I prefer them over my Radions,

Maxspect doesn't have a 200W Razor model. Also, the Zetlight is a Razor copy.

Has far more features than maxspec. only the body looks the same.
Everyone copies these days, for example reef octopus copied everyone skimmers and people don't care.

[vpaul79]

Maxspect doesn't have a 200W Razor model. Also, the Zetlight is a Razor copy.

LOL!! And Elite Series Skimmer is definately not a copy of the Bubble King Double Cone.

[myram]

Ideally I would love to have a Pacific Sun hybrid model, with T5 and LED..........but at $1000 it's just not going to happen.

And since I prefer to stay with LED only, and a realistic budget($500)......not to mention an odd shaped tank.

I'm really liking the Maxspect.........reading a lot about it, and the benefit of the 410nm lights for photosynthesis. It's within budget, it will fit inside my canopy, but I'm worried about getting full coverage with the 20" fixture. I'll go with the 120 degree optics for sure, and it will be mounted about 8" off the water.