MicMol Smart LED Reef Lights

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 09:48 AM

Hello again folks!

So I've just ordered these lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They seem very well build and the reviews as well videos on youtube seem to show that these lights are great.

Have you guys had any experience with them?

Please, comment below!

huhhh · 06/13/2018, 12:56 PM

Interesting, I will be following along. I've been looking for a light that has more blue in it doesn't cost a fortune and I don't have to hang from the ceiling (because I have a hood).

lpsouth1978 · 06/13/2018, 01:11 PM

I would not recommend using that light over any tank housing corals, anemones, or clams. It would probably be great for a fish only system, but not anything more. The 72W version has 192 LED's making them less than 0.5W each. There will simply be no penetration of PAR with them.

Keep us posted on how they work for you.

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 01:26 PM

Agree with above.

Typical LED's we use for corals are in the 3 watts a piece range. If that fixture was indeed for a reef, it would have to be 576 watts with that many LED's.

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpsouth1978

I would not recommend using that light over any tank housing corals, anemones, or clams. It would probably be great for a fish only system, but not anything more. The 72W version has 192 LED's making them less than 0.5W each. There will simply be no penetration of PAR with them.

Keep us posted on how they work for you.

I was a bit concerned about it as well, but after reviewing the videos about it on youtube and seeing that Marine Depot sells it, I decided to give it a try.

I will keep ya'll posted on the results, it should arrive by this friday.

Thank you!

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 02:40 PM

By the way, what do you guys think of the specs of the light, see below:

Specs

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 02:44 PM

It's not the layout of the LED's, well it is to some degree, what your really looking for is the actual wattage of each individual LED.

That unit has 64 LED's, that means the wattage should be around 192 for it to be of any use to most corals.

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

It's not the layout of the LED's, well it is to some degree, what your really looking for is the actual wattage of each individual LED.

Right, I know about the individual wattage, but doesnt the chart tells us something about the light fixture?

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 02:48 PM

The layout and type(wavelength) of LED's used are decent, but again if they are only .5 watt diodes, discussing the layout is pointless.

And I rolled over that layout on the amazon page, but seeing as they use low power LED's it wasn't worth discussing.

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

The layout and type(wavelength) of LED's used are decent, but again if they are only .5 watt diodes, the layout is useless.

So I just counted how many LED's and whats the wattage for the 48" fixture.

64 diodes on a total of 96 watts.

That gives us: 96/64 = 1.5 watt/diode. How about that?

lpsouth1978 · 06/13/2018, 02:52 PM

That doesn't really give a lot of specs. I think that the spectrum looks good as they show it. What they don't share is more important than what they show. Like, what settings was that at? How high was the light? PAR readings?

I am also not a big fan of the LED layout. With all of the White LED's around the perimeter and the blues in a ring on the inside, I would worry about the color blend. It will be interesting to see it in action.

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 02:52 PM

Better, but I still wouldn't try growing any stony corals over 12 inches deep, if at all.

IMO cheapo LED's have a lot to be desired. Meaning, that while they may look good, they will not provide the light needed for most corals even though they are advertised as such. There is a reason most LED's we use in the hobby are not cheap(even the cheap black box units aren't cheap compared to some of the cheap stuff advertised as "reef" lights).

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 03:01 PM

That's a bummer, I was under the impression that this one would work. Should I go ahead and cancel the order and order something else? If yes, what would you recommend? (on the 130-180 range)

Thank you!

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 03:08 PM

Would I cancel the order, if you want to grow corals in anything deeper then 12 inches, yes.

Lets start with tank size(L - W - D) then we can go from there.

journeyman · 06/13/2018, 03:10 PM

How big is your tank? I like the lights from reefbreeders.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 03:12 PM

My tank is a 120 - 4ft by 2ft by 2ft.

Reefbreeders lights are too expensive... I can't afford a 700$ fixture atm.

journeyman · 06/13/2018, 03:21 PM

Maybe 2 Chinese boxes from eBay. I've never used them, but I've read good things.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Pslreefer · 06/13/2018, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiMxD

My tank is a 120 - 4ft by 2ft by 2ft.

Reefbreeders lights are too expensive... I can't afford a 700$ fixture atm.

I will be sell by a 4 ft Hamilton Fiji sun 6 bulb T5 fixture next week if interested along with 2 mars aqua 165w leds

outssider · 06/13/2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiMxD

So I just counted how many LED's and whats the wattage for the 48" fixture.

64 diodes on a total of 96 watts.

That gives us: 96/64 = 1.5 watt/diode. How about that?

Marine:
80pcs White - CN 1
32pcs Royal Blue - CN 1
112pcs Royal Blue - CN 2
8pcs Blue - CN 3
8pcs W White - CN 3
8pcs UV - CN 3
4pcs Red - CN 3
4pcs Green - CN 3

this adds up to 256 diodes with a total of 96 watts...that sucks....

.375 watts each.....cancel the order..... these are crap

Pslreefer · 06/13/2018, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pslreefer

I will be sell by a 4 ft Hamilton Fiji sun 6 bulb T5 fixture next week if interested along with 2 mars aqua 165w leds

Selling

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pslreefer

I will be sell by a 4 ft Hamilton Fiji sun 6 bulb T5 fixture next week if interested along with 2 mars aqua 165w leds

Sorry I didn't understand your message?

homer1475 · 06/13/2018, 03:40 PM

Look up mars aquas on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimm...017GWDF7E?th=1

2 of these would be perfect for your tank. While they are cheapish, plenty of tanks run these and they are perfect for corals on the cheap.

lpsouth1978 · 06/13/2018, 03:42 PM

I am using a black box 165W right now and like it, but it is too short for my tank. 36" tank, 16" light. I am looking to upgrade to the Viparspectra 300W/ It is 30" and has a better mix of spectrums, comes with 90 degree lenses installed, and is somewhat controllable. It is still a "black box", but a better one. It is about $230 on Amazon.

Whatever you get, make sure it uses at least 3W LED's and you should be good.

lpsouth1978 · 06/13/2018, 03:44 PM

You could also do 2 of the 165W versions for about $240.

kiMxD · 06/13/2018, 03:48 PM

Would one of these (VIPARSPECTRA 300W) be enough for my 120g 4ft tank?
http://www.viparspectra.com/goods.php?id=84

06/13/2018, 09:48 AM	#1
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	MicMol Smart LED Reef Lights Hello again folks! So I've just ordered these lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They seem very well build and the reviews as well videos on youtube seem to show that these lights are great. Have you guys had any experience with them? Please, comment below!

06/13/2018, 01:11 PM	#3
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I would not recommend using that light over any tank housing corals, anemones, or clams. It would probably be great for a fish only system, but not anything more. The 72W version has 192 LED's making them less than 0.5W each. There will simply be no penetration of PAR with them. Keep us posted on how they work for you. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

06/13/2018, 01:26 PM	#4
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Agree with above. Typical LED's we use for corals are in the 3 watts a piece range. If that fixture was indeed for a reef, it would have to be 576 watts with that many LED's. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

06/13/2018, 02:40 PM	#6
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	By the way, what do you guys think of the specs of the light, see below: Specs Last edited by kiMxD; 06/13/2018 at 02:41 PM. Reason: pic

06/13/2018, 02:44 PM	#7
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	It's not the layout of the LED's, well it is to some degree, what your really looking for is the actual wattage of each individual LED. That unit has 64 LED's, that means the wattage should be around 192 for it to be of any use to most corals. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

06/13/2018, 12:56 PM	#2
huhhh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 84	Interesting, I will be following along. I've been looking for a light that has more blue in it doesn't cost a fortune and I don't have to hang from the ceiling (because I have a hood).

06/13/2018, 02:48 PM	#9
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	The layout and type(wavelength) of LED's used are decent, but again if they are only .5 watt diodes, discussing the layout is pointless. And I rolled over that layout on the amazon page, but seeing as they use low power LED's it wasn't worth discussing. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

06/13/2018, 02:52 PM	#11
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	That doesn't really give a lot of specs. I think that the spectrum looks good as they show it. What they don't share is more important than what they show. Like, what settings was that at? How high was the light? PAR readings? I am also not a big fan of the LED layout. With all of the White LED's around the perimeter and the blues in a ring on the inside, I would worry about the color blend. It will be interesting to see it in action. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

06/13/2018, 03:01 PM	#13
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	That's a bummer, I was under the impression that this one would work. Should I go ahead and cancel the order and order something else? If yes, what would you recommend? (on the 130-180 range) Thank you!

06/13/2018, 03:08 PM	#14
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Would I cancel the order, if you want to grow corals in anything deeper then 12 inches, yes. Lets start with tank size(L - W - D) then we can go from there. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

06/13/2018, 03:10 PM	#15
journeyman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. Posts: 357	How big is your tank? I like the lights from reefbreeders. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

06/13/2018, 03:12 PM	#16
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	My tank is a 120 - 4ft by 2ft by 2ft. Reefbreeders lights are too expensive... I can't afford a 700$ fixture atm.

06/13/2018, 03:21 PM	#17
journeyman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. Posts: 357	Maybe 2 Chinese boxes from eBay. I've never used them, but I've read good things. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

06/13/2018, 03:40 PM	#22
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Look up mars aquas on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimm...017GWDF7E?th=1 2 of these would be perfect for your tank. While they are cheapish, plenty of tanks run these and they are perfect for corals on the cheap. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" Last edited by homer1475; 06/13/2018 at 03:47 PM.

06/13/2018, 03:42 PM	#23
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I am using a black box 165W right now and like it, but it is too short for my tank. 36" tank, 16" light. I am looking to upgrade to the Viparspectra 300W/ It is 30" and has a better mix of spectrums, comes with 90 degree lenses installed, and is somewhat controllable. It is still a "black box", but a better one. It is about $230 on Amazon. Whatever you get, make sure it uses at least 3W LED's and you should be good. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

06/13/2018, 03:44 PM	#24
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	You could also do 2 of the 165W versions for about $240. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

06/13/2018, 03:48 PM	#25
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	Would one of these (VIPARSPECTRA 300W) be enough for my 120g 4ft tank? http://www.viparspectra.com/goods.php?id=84