chinese led lights

[tomgndallas]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

Yeah, the brightness difference is what really disappoints me. The Evergrows are BRIGHT, where these seem almost half as bright. I guess Evergrow really does use a good Bridgelux bin, compared to these Epistars. Very noticeable difference.

Could be a bad light though. Would like to hear if others who have ordered from Twilight are experiencing the same thing.

man that is crazy to hear about. i had a quality issue at the beginning, and it did take some very direct and forceful convincing but they made it right in the end. i essentially opened a case on them with chase and told them if they did not make it right, chase would take the money back in 4 to 5 days. I also opened a case on aliexpress. this lit a fire under their butt and they have been good ever since.

i would never trust any of these companies to know color mixing or aesthetics as that is way to subjective. Twilight does seem to be pretty good at what you tell them to do. Only time will be the true test of quality.

[jwoyshnar]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

Don't even bother. There are much better options available.

They refuse to do anything for my light, and basically said there is nothing wrong and its my problem. My problem is now I have a terrible looking light that I now have to modify with new, better leds to look acceptable.

Go with the Apollo light. You said you have an Apex, and its a much better light with an actual warranty.

I'm going with Apollo, they are local to me so if anything happens he is only 12 miles away. Besides I just visited with a few people that have them and their tanks looks awesome.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by tomgndallas

man that is crazy to hear about. i had a quality issue at the beginning, and it did take some very direct and forceful convincing but they made it right in the end. i essentially opened a case on them with chase and told them if they did not make it right, chase would take the money back in 4 to 5 days. I also opened a case on aliexpress. this lit a fire under their butt and they have been good ever since.

i would never trust any of these companies to know color mixing or aesthetics as that is way to subjective. Twilight does seem to be pretty good at what you tell them to do. Only time will be the true test of quality.

The difference in the white leds are shocking. Running at 580mah, the cool white bridgelux leds Evergrow and the Reefbreeders fixture used are easily twice as bright over the Twilight Epistars at 630mah. Since they're so dim, the blues in a 2:1 ratio completely overpower them, which shouldn't happen normally. You would have to run closer to 1:1 with them.

[dsdaley77]

What do you guys think about these?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...522097804.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...404394550.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...415265432.html

Regardless of which unit, I would get two for my 75 mixed reef. Input?

[djmatteo]

Pulled the trigger finally on my 3 units from Gehl (Ada Dong)

Went
23 White 4 UV Dimmer 1/switch 1
24 Blue 4 Violet Dimmer 2/switch 2
2 moonlights/switch 3

Similiar to another members lights but i switched the dimmer the uv/violet ran on.

Will post pics/reviews once I get them.

[MarcB]

Originally Posted by Mr Neon

At the moment I am running my lights total 10/11 hours. Probably do a max of 12 with 6/7 hours of day and 3/4 sunrise/sunset.

Just so I make sure I read you right, you run the blues for a total of 10-12 hours and the whites overlapping for 6-7 hours in the middle? That's basically how I ran my T-5's, so it makes perfect sense. Thanks.

Originally Posted by bhazard451

I run mine for 12-14 hours with no issues. I would previously only run my MH/T5 for 6-8 hours because it would heat the tank too much. No heat issues with leds.

Thanks! Do you run them all, or do you have a morning/noon/night cycle like Mt Neon?

[Mr Neon]

Originally Posted by MarcB

Just so I make sure I read you right, you run the blues for a total of 10-12 hours and the whites overlapping for 6-7 hours in the middle? That's basically how I ran my T-5's, so it makes perfect sense. Thanks.




Thanks! Do you run them all, or do you have a morning/noon/night cycle like Mt Neon?

Marc, I run my lights that way because of the results I have seen so far plus the "breaking in" of the LED's from T5's. I doubt I will change the pattern since things look great. I don't have any ramping up of the LED's like other high end fixtures but to me it is just easier to set it and forget it.

Others may have a longer or shorter period based on how everything in their tank responds. Again, I don't really know if there is a "formula" to say that you have to run your lights a certain time period and nothing more or less. There are guidelines to how much per day but I think we learn that what may be standard in this hobby soon becomes somewhat obsolete down the road. Same thing with all the different lights that are used in our hobby.

[MarcB]

Understood. I have been running mine with both blues and whites on for approximatelt 10 hours a day. So far it seems OK, but I always like to seek alternate ideas and opinions so I have as much info as possible.

Thanks for your help!

[Travis1787]

Sry to ask again but didn't get an answer before did those who got the d120 with 34 blues 17 whites 4 violets like them? There was one or two who went with it I missed there review

[Mr Neon]

Originally Posted by Travis1787

Sry to ask again but didn't get an answer before did those who got the d120 with 34 blues 17 whites 4 violets like them? There was one or two who went with it I missed there review

I got a d120 with that combo and so far it is great! A bit blue than I thought but the 4 violet less are 440 nm and don't seem to have much purple in them. They look pretty blue. I am changing out some less I am getting from Sam. 420 nm violets and some warmer whites and a couple reds.
For the most part I am pleased with the light and output.

[Zoanut]

mlott132 - Has your one arrived yet? are you having the same problems as bhazard?

[Aaron77]

Wow, I cannot tell you how much this thread has helped me. I am still all over the place on what I want to buy but this has definitely help lead me in the right direction. Thanks all!

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by Zoanut

mlott132 - Has your one arrived yet? are you having the same problems as bhazard?

They apologized and they're going to try to work with me on it. I appreciated that.

When I get the time, I'm going to try a few things to fix it up. I really like the built in controller, and the blue channel is plenty powerful. The whites aren't as powerful though, so more need to be used here. This is different than other fixtures I've tried, including my DIY fixture.

Just be specific in the layout of how you want the leds, and things should be ok. The default is a vertical pattern of leds, when a horizontal pattern would blend better. Use closer to the 30:25 ratio instead of 2:1 on them. Use the 90 degree optics they have as well, because they are a bit better.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by Aaron77

Wow, I cannot tell you how much this thread has helped me. I am still all over the place on what I want to buy but this has definitely help lead me in the right direction. Thanks all!

Definitely take time in deciding what you want. Even though there are way too many posts, try to follow the experiences of others in how to pick the led colors and features you want. Some fixtures may look good with a certain ratio, where it looks completely different on another because of different leds used. I tried quite a few fixtures and built my own, and each have been vastly different from each other.

The unique part about these is the customization, which is pretty cool. Ecotech would probably laugh at you if you told them you wanted to switch out their greens for warm whites or violets in the Radion you wanted to buy.

[Zoanut]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

They apologized and they're going to try to work with me on it. I appreciated that.

When I get the time, I'm going to try a few things to fix it up. I really like the built in controller, and the blue channel is plenty powerful. The whites aren't as powerful though, so more need to be used here. This is different than other fixtures I've tried, including my DIY fixture.

Just be specific in the layout of how you want the leds, and things should be ok. The default is a vertical pattern of leds, when a horizontal pattern would blend better. Use closer to the 30:25 ratio instead of 2:1 on them. Use the 90 degree optics they have as well, because they are a bit better.

Its too late for me as I have already paid for it and it should be sent tomorrow after waiting 9 days for it to be built. This is what I ordered:

Aluminium case, 60 degree optics, 3 channels
1> First channel for white (mix of 6500k and 10000k) 25pcs (15pcs 6500k & 10pcs 10000K)
2> Second channel for blue and royal blue 27pcs (10pcs Royal Blue 460nm & 17pcs Blue 440nm)
3> Third channel for moonlight (royal blue 460nm) 3pcs

I hope it is just a fault in your one and not all of them. Sorry if that sounded bad if they are that dull I wonder how hard it would be to swap over my bridgelux LEDs into this fixture and if the len's would still fit.

[livingseas]

wow that sucks on the twilight unit. I was just about to submit
my order tonight. I'll hold off and look for other solutions.

So what other companies shold I be looking at that have a controller?

I am planning on a reef angel at some point. Can the d120's be cheaply
modified to run off it?

When is evergrow coming out with a controller based unit? I wasnt in a
rush to buy the reef angel, so a dedicated lighting controller on the lights would be great to get started.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by Zoanut

Its too late for me as I have already paid for it and it should be sent tomorrow after waiting 9 days for it to be built. This is what I ordered:

Aluminium case, 60 degree optics, 3 channels
1> First channel for white (mix of 6500k and 10000k) 25pcs (15pcs 6500k & 10pcs 10000K)
2> Second channel for blue and royal blue 27pcs (10pcs Royal Blue 460nm & 17pcs Blue 440nm)
3> Third channel for moonlight (royal blue 460nm) 3pcs

I hope it is just a fault in your one and not all of them. Sorry if that sounded bad if they are that dull I wonder how hard it would be to swap over my bridgelux LEDs into this fixture and if the len's would still fit.

You have more whites in yours than I put in mine, so it actually should look just fine.

[biecacka]

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

[livingseas]

Zoanut, Please post your impressions when you get them.
They are a good deal but if they dont work right..

[chlwodud85]

Originally Posted by biecacka

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

Pictures say a THOUSAND words ^^

[Techbiker]

Originally Posted by biecacka

Got mine hung up!
Love them for the first day!
Lol
Corey

What set up did you use? Colors

[Hoity]

[QUOTE=Hoity;20482931]Just received confirmation on my new lights from Twilight with the LCD display.

Australia cord with black aluminium case and 60 degree optics and holders
3w Epistar LEDs
Blue 450~460nm
Blue 460~ 470nm
Blue 430~ 440nm
White 20000K
White 14000K
Green 520nm
Red 630nm
Channel 1= 14 White 20000K,6 white 14000k 2 red 630 nm, 2 green 530nm, 1 uv 400nm
Channel 2= 21 blue 470nm, 6 blue 440nm,
Channel 3=3 blue 460 nm


Zoanut
Mine appear similar to yours, mine were being posted today.

Bhazard
I sent an email this morning to lyn about the fact somebody on a reef forum had received lights from twilight that he wasn't happy with, every little bit of feedback they get can only help us all. Your post made me a little concerned.

[Zoanut]

[QUOTE=Hoity;20508332]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Just received confirmation on my new lights from Twilight with the LCD display.

Australia cord with black aluminium case and 60 degree optics and holders
3w Epistar LEDs
Blue 450~460nm
Blue 460~ 470nm
Blue 430~ 440nm
White 20000K
White 14000K
Green 520nm
Red 630nm
Channel 1= 14 White 20000K,6 white 14000k 2 red 630 nm, 2 green 530nm, 1 uv 400nm
Channel 2= 21 blue 470nm, 6 blue 440nm,
Channel 3=3 blue 460 nm


Zoanut
Mine appear similar to yours, mine were being posted today.

Bhazard
I sent an email this morning to lyn about the fact somebody on a reef forum had received lights from twilight that he wasn't happy with, every little bit of feedback they get can only help us all. Your post made me a little concerned.

Simon told me they only had Blue 450~460nm and Blue 460~ 470nm plus 20K whites aren't really white at all. Hmmmmm somethinng doesn't seem right here.

[Mr Neon]

[QUOTE=Zoanut;20508478]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Simon told me they only had Blue 450~460nm and Blue 460~ 470nm plus 20K whites aren't really white at all. Hmmmmm somethinng doesn't seem right here.

12k in my D120, very bright but not "white" Has blueish tint. 14K and 20K will show more of a blue spectrum colorwise. Think of it as having a 20k MH bulb, then pair that with more blue actinics in the 450-460nm range. You will get too much blue...at least for my taste.

[Chicago]

Ok. I have been reading since like page 90 over past weeks. Bgazard451. U have put so much into this thread with info and more. U clearly have spent a lot of time on this. I almost think of you as heading up consumer reports on led Chinese made. Not taking away from the others who have also placed a lot of info on this thread. I just had to note if I followed correct. Bhazard you'd have like reviewed nova, a4 or like the a6, the d120 and now twilight. Thanks to. And all the others here. If some one told me there's was a PayPal account to donate to for all the info here for guys like bhazard to review them ect I have no problem throwing some $ in the pot.

I asked Simon at twilight. To be specific with the unit I was looking at. I'm lookingz at a similar one buta packs 80 LEDs instead of 55 instead. Optics 60 degree. I explained to Simon I was concerned that he would not respond correctly to bhazards situation. I hope as a group we can convince these sellers they have to back up the product. Waiting now to see what Simon says . Ai asked him which whites are brightest and to send pics ect. Can it be epistArs bin ect not as bright as bridgesluck.
??

Thanks to all u guys. For the info. Sorry for the miss spelling. Pain typing on iPad