Looking for LEDs

fernalfer · 03/14/2016, 04:58 PM

I'm on the hunt for LED lighting for my 120 gallon reef tank. $650 is my spending limit. Now i was looking at the Reefbreeders Photon 48 V2 which are exactly $650 but can't find to many reviews on these because they are fairly new. Does anyone have any suggestions for LED with a spending cap of $650?

htsteve · 03/14/2016, 05:00 PM

Tank dimensions?

And how high above the waterline?

fernalfer · 03/14/2016, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htsteve

Tank dimensions?

And how high above the waterline?

48x24x24

Not really sure how high LEDs need to be placed. Isn't it dependant on what light you choose?

Mrw1936 · 03/14/2016, 05:05 PM

I have had the v2's for about 3 weeks now and really like them. Depending on your aquascape you could get away with one fixture but I would strongly recommend adding a 2 bulb t5 retrofit to the front and back of the fixture.

htsteve · 03/14/2016, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

Not really sure how high LEDs need to be placed. Isn't it dependant on what light you choose?

Just trying to figure out if you have placement flexibility. The higher you go, to more area you can cover, but weaker PAR at depth.

I'm starting a 60x24x26 soon, some I'm in the same place you are. Looking at lighting.

Based on your budget, a pair of Kessil A160's with a controller might just work. Total package would be about $600.
I've seen an A160 over a 24" cube, at an LFS, and it was pretty well lit.

What are you planning for your reef tank (coral wise)?

travis9791 · 03/14/2016, 06:40 PM

I have the Evergrow led lights. I have been very happy with them so far. They seem to perform just as well as my friends Kessils at less than half the price. I got them on Amazon as A pair.

oldbones · 03/14/2016, 06:43 PM

32" V2 should cover your 48" tank nicely.

Mrw1936 · 03/14/2016, 07:28 PM

48" fixture for a 48" tank. The more shadowing that you can prevent the better. Most of the time you need to nearly double manufacturer recommendations to get proper coverage. Intensity isn't the issue, it's the direct light source that causes shadowing.

fernalfer · 03/14/2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htsteve

Just trying to figure out if you have placement flexibility. The higher you go, to more area you can cover, but weaker PAR at depth.

I'm starting a 60x24x26 soon, some I'm in the same place you are. Looking at lighting.

Based on your budget, a pair of Kessil A160's with a controller might just work. Total package would be about $600.
I've seen an A160 over a 24" cube, at an LFS, and it was pretty well lit.

What are you planning for your reef tank (coral wise)?

Some Zoas and acans to start and the maybe way down the road delve into sps.

Bpb · 03/14/2016, 08:42 PM

I'd let the budget grow a touch and get a kessil ap700

colorful1180 · 03/14/2016, 09:24 PM

I have run 1 of Pro 32'' timer SB Reef light,the spectrum is better,built in LCD screen display with 3 channnels timer,plus remote control,mounting legs included,it can fit on your 48'' tank,3 years warranty,I am happy with that.

oldbones · 03/14/2016, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrw1936

48" fixture for a 48" tank. The more shadowing that you can prevent the better. Most of the time you need to nearly double manufacturer recommendations to get proper coverage. Intensity isn't the issue, it's the direct light source that causes shadowing.

The Reefbreeders don't use a puck, the led's are evenly spaced over the whole fixture. They also use a wide angle optic, so they have more even spread than some other led fixtures. A 32" run a tad higher will certainly cover a 48" tank. With a 48" fixture, you're going to have to run it very low to the water or put up with a lot of light spilling into the room.

oldbones · 03/14/2016, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

I'd let the budget grow a touch and get a kessil ap700

I respectfully disagree. If it's better programming and built in wifi you want, use two Hydra 26's, maybe even three. My favorite LFS just replaced the ever grows over a couple tanks with AP700's, and I have to say I thought the tanks looked much nicer before the swap. I haven't heard much good about the AP700 software either. The AI app is outstanding, iPhone included. Better looking mounts too.

Mrw1936 · 03/15/2016, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbones

The Reefbreeders don't use a puck, the led's are evenly spaced over the whole fixture. They also use a wide angle optic, so they have more even spread than some other led fixtures. A 32" run a tad higher will certainly cover a 48" tank. With a 48" fixture, you're going to have to run it very low to the water or put up with a lot of light spilling into the room.

Only the reds and greens use wide angle optics, the rest are 90°. I have one on my 48" tank. Virtually no light spill mounted at 9 inches.

yacn · 03/15/2016, 06:54 AM

check out LED Zeal. They will customize your light anyway you want. LED layout and lenses. You can get lights with built in wifi or wired controller.

http://www.ledzeal.com/

Email Kevin...he has been very helpful and attentive

I think a lot of the other LED lights are way over priced like most things in this hobby, and people will tell you get what you pay for....I think that's BS. People are happy with cheap EBay Chinese black box LED's and having good results. LED Zeal are made in China too like a lot of products today, and offer great quality for the price. There's are a couple of good threads about these lights....one that compares LED Zeal to other LED's....

03/14/2016, 04:58 PM	#1
fernalfer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 553	Looking for LEDs I'm on the hunt for LED lighting for my 120 gallon reef tank. $650 is my spending limit. Now i was looking at the Reefbreeders Photon 48 V2 which are exactly $650 but can't find to many reviews on these because they are fairly new. Does anyone have any suggestions for LED with a spending cap of $650?

03/15/2016, 06:54 AM	#15
yacn Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 212	check out LED Zeal. They will customize your light anyway you want. LED layout and lenses. You can get lights with built in wifi or wired controller. http://www.ledzeal.com/ Email Kevin...he has been very helpful and attentive I think a lot of the other LED lights are way over priced like most things in this hobby, and people will tell you get what you pay for....I think that's BS. People are happy with cheap EBay Chinese black box LED's and having good results. LED Zeal are made in China too like a lot of products today, and offer great quality for the price. There's are a couple of good threads about these lights....one that compares LED Zeal to other LED's.... Last edited by yacn; 03/15/2016 at 07:02 AM.

03/14/2016, 05:00 PM	#2
htsteve Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 15	Tank dimensions? And how high above the waterline?

03/14/2016, 05:05 PM	#4
Mrw1936 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: new hampshire Posts: 95	I have had the v2's for about 3 weeks now and really like them. Depending on your aquascape you could get away with one fixture but I would strongly recommend adding a 2 bulb t5 retrofit to the front and back of the fixture.

03/14/2016, 06:40 PM	#6
travis9791 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 72	I have the Evergrow led lights. I have been very happy with them so far. They seem to perform just as well as my friends Kessils at less than half the price. I got them on Amazon as A pair.

03/14/2016, 06:43 PM	#7
oldbones Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 940	32" V2 should cover your 48" tank nicely.

03/14/2016, 07:28 PM	#8
Mrw1936 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: new hampshire Posts: 95	48" fixture for a 48" tank. The more shadowing that you can prevent the better. Most of the time you need to nearly double manufacturer recommendations to get proper coverage. Intensity isn't the issue, it's the direct light source that causes shadowing.

03/14/2016, 08:42 PM	#10
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	I'd let the budget grow a touch and get a kessil ap700

03/14/2016, 09:24 PM	#11
colorful1180 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New York Posts: 191	I have run 1 of Pro 32'' timer SB Reef light,the spectrum is better,built in LCD screen display with 3 channnels timer,plus remote control,mounting legs included,it can fit on your 48'' tank,3 years warranty,I am happy with that.