Chinese LED Lights

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by Reef_Breeders

The photon48 would work perfectly. The 32 is too short, and 2 16s adds an unneccessary cost. They are not too long for a 4 foot tank, they were made specifically for 4 foot long tanks, actually.

I don't mean to argue with you Logan, but IMHO you are wrong. The 4' light is great for a 5' tank, could possibly work on a 6' tank (if mounted high enough) and is just wasteful on a 4' tank. A 4' led will light up a 24" deep tank to a length of 5' plus and will do 6' well if mounted 10"-12" above the water. With a 4' light in a 4' tank you are just throwing light out the ends of the tank. The 32" fixture has 99 LEDS and the 48" fixture has 102. So the 48 has 3 more leds and is 16" longer. Basically they have the same amount of light and the 48" is 16" longer and throws light out the ends. You are wasting money and light.

The 32 is perfect and if the OP has a brace they are worried about, 2 of the 16's will certainly solve that problem and cover the tank a bit better than the 32". But I don't recommend that solution either. It is an extra expense they don't need to pay, the 32 will work perfectly and cover the extra 8" off either end even if mounted very low off the water surface.


I have 2 16's over a 4' tank and it is WAY more than enough coverage. I'd never consider a 4" led fixture over a 4' tank.

[rjallen]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

I don't mean to argue with you Logan, but IMHO you are wrong. The 4' light is great for a 5' tank, could possibly work on a 6' tank (if mounted high enough) and is just wasteful on a 4' tank. A 4' led will light up a 24" deep tank to a length of 5' plus and will do 6' well if mounted 10"-12" above the water. With a 4' light in a 4' tank you are just throwing light out the ends of the tank. The 32" fixture has 99 LEDS and the 48" fixture has 102. So the 48 has 3 more leds and is 16" longer. Basically they have the same amount of light and the 48" is 16" longer and throws light out the ends. You are wasting money and light.

The 32 is perfect and if the OP has a brace they are worried about, 2 of the 16's will certainly solve that problem and cover the tank a bit better than the 32". But I don't recommend that solution either. It is an extra expense they don't need to pay, the 32 will work perfectly and cover the extra 8" off either end even if mounted very low off the water surface.

I have 2 16's over a 4' tank and it is WAY more than enough coverage. I'd never consider a 4" led fixture over a 4' tank.

Ron, I have enjoyed your posts and learned much from you but....there's always a "but"....I think you are wrong on this one. I have a Photon 48 on a 120g tank 48x24x24. I get NO LIGHT SPILL with the fixture 11" over the water with 90 degree lens. The tank is in my living room and this room is our prime TV room as well. I do have even light from wall to wall. There is something to say for darker end areas but I like the even look even if I have to be more careful with coral placement.
I hang my fixture w/o any sort of canopy as you have so I rely on only the fixture's lens for directional light and they do a very good job!

Bottom line the 48 Photon is not over kill on a 48" tank especially ones 20" to 24" deep. Perhaps rock work or light colored coral could make a difference with reflected light bouncing out of the tank. But in my case, at least, I do not have a light spill problem and a very evenly lighted tank.

Again, thanks for your many posts I always find something of value within them.



RJ

[Ron Reefman]

RJ, I've never had a Photon48 so I'll take you at your word. And I don't want to start a disagreement, but please explain the physics for me. Here is the way I understand it.

I just consider the physics. An led 6"-8" off the water (and you are 10"-12") and shining 20"-24" down into a tank that has a 90 degree lens just doesn't shine it's light straight down, like this |*|. It spreads out kind of like this/*\. With a 90 degree lens is spreads 45 degrees to either side with some deflection due to the water surface. And if the led is only 2" from the edge of the tank (it's 2" from the end of the fixture), how can it not shine out through the side glass?

BTW, my 32" fixture with 90 degree lenses is 2" from the end of the tank (so the first led is 4" from the end of the tank) and tipped slightly up toward the inside and it spills light 8"-10" outside the tank at the bottom of the tank. So how is it that yours is different?

Again, I'm glad you are happy with your light. I think the EverGrow and RB fixtures are great! I'm just saying an led with a 90 degree lens doesn't shine straight down.

[rog2961]

Any chance people have used these? http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/58...120w_Cree.html


They claim to use only cree's, are available in full spectrum. The only downside I see is no one is using them. The guys from green sun have a pretty good deal that's 3 for $500. Beats paying $600 from reefbreeders that are bridgelux, not that theres anything wrong with them.

[monkiboy]

Originally Posted by rog2961

Any chance people have used these? http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/58...120w_Cree.html


They claim to use only cree's, are available in full spectrum. The only downside I see is no one is using them. The guys from green sun have a pretty good deal that's 3 for $500. Beats paying $600 from reefbreeders that are bridgelux, not that theres anything wrong with them.

i have not but here's some information. there's no need for CREE LEDs as the output and performance of the bridgelux is too much already for even SPS dedicated tanks. most folks are going to have their evergrow units turned down as it is with the bridgelux. "full spectrum" ... what does that mean to you, to them, to whomever? they are using two different LED wavelengths, royal blue and white. greensun is known for their lack of quality components and diligence in assembly. if you open one up you will see a strong disparity to the tidiness and overall design and implementation of components vs the evergrow units. g'luck with whatever you choose but definitely do your research and buy confidently.

[klewis]

Ron, Logan and RJ, thank you all very much for all your information and shared experience. I'm going to order the 48" fixture. I'm not concerned with some light spillage I was just concerned with overkill. I don't think you can go wrong with a respected vendor steering you to save money and someone with the same tank recommendation...

[Reef_Breeders]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

RJ, I've never had a Photon48 so I'll take you at your word. And I don't want to start a disagreement, but please explain the physics for me. Here is the way I understand it.

I just consider the physics. An led 6"-8" off the water (and you are 10"-12") and shining 20"-24" down into a tank that has a 90 degree lens just doesn't shine it's light straight down, like this |*|. It spreads out kind of like this/*\. With a 90 degree lens is spreads 45 degrees to either side with some deflection due to the water surface. And if the led is only 2" from the edge of the tank (it's 2" from the end of the fixture), how can it not shine out through the side glass?

BTW, my 32" fixture with 90 degree lenses is 2" from the end of the tank (so the first led is 4" from the end of the tank) and tipped slightly up toward the inside and it spills light 8"-10" outside the tank at the bottom of the tank. So how is it that yours is different?

Again, I'm glad you are happy with your light. I think the EverGrow and RB fixtures are great! I'm just saying an led with a 90 degree lens doesn't shine straight down.

The light spill is not that bad, the 90s are pretty tight. At 6", it works great on a 4 footer. With a photon32, you are lucky to get spread nearly as good at 12", and having to raise the light can certainly waste power. Keep in mind, you are using less power if you lower the light, and turn it down, than if you raise the light, and crank it up. Not to mention the shadows the 32 can leave, especially the blocked center moonlight. Just like 2 16s, you are basically taking the light, and spreading it out, which makes much more efficient use of the LEDs.

[rjallen]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

RJ, I've never had a Photon48 so I'll take you at your word. And I don't want to start a disagreement, but please explain the physics for me. Here is the way I understand it.

I just consider the physics. An led 6"-8" off the water (and you are 10"-12") and shining 20"-24" down into a tank that has a 90 degree lens just doesn't shine it's light straight down, like this |*|. It spreads out kind of like this/*\. With a 90 degree lens is spreads 45 degrees to either side with some deflection due to the water surface. And if the led is only 2" from the edge of the tank (it's 2" from the end of the fixture), how can it not shine out through the side glass?

BTW, my 32" fixture with 90 degree lenses is 2" from the end of the tank (so the first led is 4" from the end of the tank) and tipped slightly up toward the inside and it spills light 8"-10" outside the tank at the bottom of the tank. So how is it that yours is different?

Again, I'm glad you are happy with your light. I think the EverGrow and RB fixtures are great! I'm just saying an led with a 90 degree lens doesn't shine straight down.

Ron

I hate how some of these discussions get personal and negative. I don't get that from you or your posts at all. This exchange is simply for others to make their own decision I was unsure what model I wanted to get and learned a lot here on RC. Guess I should try to take a few tank shots and post them but I am putting off the learning curve of photo posting here.

As I was reading your last post I glanced over at my tank. It's Right side end [from viewers point of view] faces my couch. I have a temp controller and a Jebaoa Wave Maker Controller mounted on my stand facing me on this end. They have no light spill on them. A ROI ATO reservoir sits about 12'" from the stand on the floor. There is some indirect light on its top. There is a shade line from the fixture on the ATO's lid but it would be hard to read small print on this lighted portion. In other words, in a darkened room there is some faint spill of light and its not direct light. It is not objectionable at all. If I look towards the fixture while seated, I can see the multicolored LED lenses but there is no direct light. I have a flat screen TV and I cannot see any reflection from any angle of those LEDs .

I guess that's what I mean when I say no light spill- perhaps I should say no objectionable light spill.

I measured the fixture- the center of the last row of LED lenses is 2 3/8s inches from the end of the 48" fixture. That offset makes a difference. I have a conventional framed glass tank.. I am sure that frame helps with the light spill issue a rimless tank might have more. Again, my fixture is mounted 11" off the water. I will lower it to about 8" when I have time.

Every tank and room is different. I was very worried about having light spread across the room but it is simply not an issue.

RJ

[rog2961]

Originally Posted by monkiboy

i have not but here's some information. there's no need for CREE LEDs as the output and performance of the bridgelux is too much already for even SPS dedicated tanks. most folks are going to have their evergrow units turned down as it is with the bridgelux. "full spectrum" ... what does that mean to you, to them, to whomever? they are using two different LED wavelengths, royal blue and white. greensun is known for their lack of quality components and diligence in assembly. if you open one up you will see a strong disparity to the tidiness and overall design and implementation of components vs the evergrow units. g'luck with whatever you choose but definitely do your research and buy confidently.

think ill go with the bridgelux

[aquaman05]

Rj how did you mount your light ?

[rjallen]

Originally Posted by aquaman05

Rj how did you mount your light ?

Right now my light is hung from ceiling using the supplied hanging kit. Ceiling hooks are the variety used to hang plants secured with toggle bolts. I like the hanging kit but I found it to be a little too short for my 8ft. ceilings. My stand is 36" high with a 24" tank height. With the kit fully extended, my light is 11" over water.

I would like the option to lower it to 6" to 10" range. I'll use some small chain to lower it but a longer kit to fit a standard 8ft ceiling is a cleaner look and should be supplied.

Some have said the fixture is ugly. While it will not win any design awards, I find it looks very good over my tank.

RJ

[MrineLfRlz]

Well ive had my D120's for about 10 months now i like them alot but on my blue side on one of the fixtures it stopped working i tried contacting the company but no response after about 2 weeks running only whites i had alot more algae and didnt like the way my corals were starting to look so i had no choice but to break the warranty seal on it and found the driver went out i havent found anything close to it yet but im still looking.
Im not happy at all with aliexpress and the customer service i emailed many times= nothing!
I really like the fixtures but dont ever have a problem with them from this company (IMO)
What i did is switch the blue side and run the blue Leds on the good driver until i can figure something out.
Anyone have any ideas?

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by MrineLfRlz

Well ive had my D120's for about 10 months now i like them alot but on my blue side on one of the fixtures it stopped working i tried contacting the company but no response after about 2 weeks running only whites i had alot more algae and didnt like the way my corals were starting to look so i had no choice but to break the warranty seal on it and found the driver went out i havent found anything close to it yet but im still looking.
Im not happy at all with aliexpress and the customer service i emailed many times= nothing!
I really like the fixtures but dont ever have a problem with them from this company (IMO)
What i did is switch the blue side and run the blue Leds on the good driver until i can figure something out.
Anyone have any ideas?

I sent you a PM with some possible help. I'm assuming you have EverGrow D120 fixtures.
Don't go through aliexpress, they are just an Chinese version of Ebay and a PITA to work with.
I dealt directly with EG through Helen at: sales05@evergrowlighting.com

[MrineLfRlz]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

I sent you a PM with some possible help. I'm assuming you have EverGrow D120 fixtures.

yes sir they are evergrow im still waiting for pm thanks for any help me and my corals thank you

[kpk]

Just thought I'd share some pics of my D120 setup on the new tank. These are all at 50%.

[Chicago]

any use light diffusers over the tank.. i noticed that when i run my hand under the lights about 8 inches away.. i can see the different leds on my hands.. thought if i put a sheet of light diffuser over the top of the tank.. similar to what they use for flourecent fixtures in drop ceiling what effect this would have.

[tatuaje08]

Has anyone taken apart one of these 120w units? I was thinking about retro'ing one to fit an aquapod 24.

[hillscp]

Originally Posted by tatuaje08

Has anyone taken apart one of these 120w units? I was thinking about retro'ing one to fit an aquapod 24.

Have you considered the full spectrum par 38 bulb? A couple of those on a gooseneck would probably be plenty. RB has them (and others)

[tatuaje08]

Originally Posted by hillscp

Have you considered the full spectrum par 38 bulbs? A couple of those on a gooseneck would probably be plenty. RB has them (and others)

I want to use the stock hood.

[Bunkerbean]

I just acquired a 180 gallon tank. I have been trying to come up with the best/cheap option that I can. I have a FOWLR tank. I have a Marineland Double bright on another tank, but and curious if the reefbreeders are better value.

[1fishkeeper]

I just got my Photon today I can't wait to get it up and running. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy for me

[klewis]

WaaHoo !!! I got a call from my wife on Wednesday saying I got a delivery I didn't know what it could of been because Logan informed me my light wouldn't be shipped until Wednesday. To my excitement this was sitting in my living room floor when i got home that night.

My brand new Photo48 LED light

[klewis]

Played with the programming for custom setting. Easy to use interface. I'm excited to set the program and get rid of my MH fixture. These pics are of it hanging above my existing fixture. Mounted a nice piece of Maple wood with some eye bolts and toggle bolts. I'll be routing the edges and staining it when I move the tank.

[kpk]

Klewis, looks good man. I have two of the smaller pendants, but that looks better IMO! How far apart are the mounts. Wondering how my hangers above would work on it?

[klewis]

Originally Posted by kpk

Klewis, looks good man. I have two of the smaller pendants, but that looks better IMO! How far apart are the mounts. Wondering how my hangers above would work on it?

Thank you, I'm getting excited about my tank again because of the light. This tank was set up in this room as a temp set up about 4 years ago with the plan of upgrading another tank. I'm breaking down a 75gallon in the living room and finally going to move this 120 in there. I measured the dimensions, and took a pic of the top of the fixture for you. If you cant read the notes just let me know...