Cheap LED fixtures now are dimmable?!?!?!

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480358
This unit listed here uses Cree LEDs.......

http://www.cidly.com/html/en/120W-Aquarium-LED-Light-detail.html
Six of these units over a 220 gallon......Lights have been on the tank roughly 7-8 months.......

Hey Shawn,
I clicked the link and looked at their page. Looks cool. I left the page up in the background and a chat window popped up and I was talking to a rep at that company in China. I asked what LED's they used on the unit and she/he said Epistar. I even asked if they used cree and they responded no, then epistar. Is that a good brand??

 

[2quills]

Epistar is a well known brand and widely used here in the states. Its a lot easier to find info on them. Did they say which models of epistar? I do recall a thread on rc where a guy had purchased one that something with the fixture stopped working but they told him he'd have to pay to ship the fixture back over seas to get fixed or replaced. If thats true then how much money is that going to cost and how much time lost without light over th tank? Pretty sure he just cut his losses and went with something else. If I can find the thead again Id be happy to share it with whoever.
Reef Koi uses 2w Epistars in thier new evo fixtures. Blue and white leds independantly dimmable. The guy manufactures them right here in Texas and is very knowledgeable and helpful when it coms to using his products for reef tanks if you have any questions or problems.
I'm just trying to get my friends here to understand that there can be huge differences between poducts when comparing one type of fixture to another in order to help folks make better purchases for thier situation. What is it we say to new folks that show up after they purchase themselves a 55g tank and they come here saying that I just set up my tank a month ago my my tangs, trigger fish and spotted groupr fish arent getting along, please help!

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable/20#post_3480397
What is it we say to new folks that show up after they purchase themselves a 55g tank and they come here saying that I just set up my tank a month ago my my tangs, trigger fish and spotted groupr fish arent getting along, please help!
There getting along great! pssh
BWAHAHA

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable/20#post_3480397
Epistar is a well known brand and widely used here in the states. Its a lot easier to find info on them. Did they say which models of epistar? I do recall a thread on rc where a guy had purchased one that something with the fixture stopped working but they told him he'd have to pay to ship the fixture back over seas to get fixed or replaced. If thats true then how much money is that going to cost and how much time lost without light over th tank? Pretty sure he just cut his losses and went with something else. If I can find the thead again Id be happy to share it with whoever.
Reef Koi uses 2w Epistars in thier new evo fixtures. Blue and white leds independantly dimmable. The guy manufactures them right here in Texas and is very knowledgeable and helpful when it coms to using his products for reef tanks if you have any questions or problems.
I'm just trying to get my friends here to understand that there can be huge differences between poducts when comparing one type of fixture to another in order to help folks make better purchases for thier situation. What is it we say to new folks that show up after they purchase themselves a 55g tank and they come here saying that I just set up my tank a month ago my my tangs, trigger fish and spotted groupr fish arent getting along, please help!
Corey,
I hear what you are saying. And I thank you for trying to get the word out. I can say that you have talked me out of just buying a LED fixture cause its cheap. It is good to have knowledgeable folks on the site who can point the less technical people in the right direction.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable/20#post_3480439
Corey,
I can say that you have talked me out of just buying a LED fixture cause its cheap.
Then my job is done here.

Honestly that wasn't so much my intention as much as just wanting to help folks realize the differences in products and why I'd personally stay away from certain ones. I can be as cheap or frugal as the best of them when it comes to certain things. But we've been drilled right from the beginning and told how important good lighting is if you want to support a reef tank. And in my limited experience I've come to realize that it's true. So whenever I start seeing the words cheap and lighting being thrown around my eye usually starts twitching a lil bit. lol Especially considering how much money some folks have invest into their systems.
Doesn't mean that things can't be done affordably though if you know what you need and know what to look for. Determine your goals so that you can weigh your options in order to get what you need so that you can find that perfect compromise for the tank and the budget.