LED lightining
- Thread starter j-c-b
- Start date
lmforbis
Well-Known Member
It can be done. I've never used halides so I have no reference point to compare. I use Kessil LEDs and really like them, other than the cost. LEDs aren't all created equal so do your research. I also use T5 to supplement my kessils. The light output can be deceptive based on appearance so it is important to acclimate your corals or they can get burnt.
lmforbis
Well-Known Member
This is what I want to get just can't afford 2 for my 125
http://www.**************.com/ap700-led-lighting-panel-kessil.html
http://www.**************.com/ap700-led-lighting-panel-kessil.html
florida joe
Well-Known Member
don't know your price range but check out http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/orbit-marine-fixtures/orbit-marine-pro/
Occelaris
New Member
Yea also check out supernight LEDs very simple and inexpensive
Dusty4bama
New Member
Is anyone familiar with TMC aqua ray line of products? I have not had a aquarium in a couple of years and I'm not familiar with led brands. I bought a 300 gallon Peninsula looking to buy some capable LED's potentially for sps if I choose to in future. Anyone have first hand knowledge and recommend these units? Looking at the aquabeam ultimas.
Dusty4bama
New Member
They are from England, website say they have been in business for 30 years. I see post about them in South Africa but limited in US. They have a passionate state side distributor but so far I have only seen 1 US reseller. Wondering if there is an alternate source?
2quills
Well-Known Member
I'very never heard of them either. They appear to be using Cree leds though so that's a good sign.
But only one U.S. distributor selling a foreign product would concern me if I ever had to rely on the product warranty. Could be a long process if you needed something fixed or replaced.
But only one U.S. distributor selling a foreign product would concern me if I ever had to rely on the product warranty. Could be a long process if you needed something fixed or replaced.
Dusty4bama
New Member
They have a pretty good 5 year warranty, and the system is very modular in case 1 unit went out you would still have others. At least for a larger tank. I was hoping to confirm or disprove their claim of significantly lower power consumption. Found some international post that say good things about them, still looking for someone who has used them. Thanks.
2quills
Well-Known Member
They haven't seemed to have take off in popularity here in the states.
I'd venture to guess it's because there are American manufacturers who use the same so called patented emitters.
The claim of much less power consumption than others seems to be a bit miss leading and is more or less just marketing talk if you ask me.
They use less power by simply using less leds. But you have to drive them at higher power to achieve the same par as other fixtures not running at max power which means they run hotter to provide the same light. They don't use fans so they will probably degrade faster. Control options seem pretty limited.
For a lower cost entry level into high powered fixtures they seem ok from what little reviews I've found if they are legit reviews. But they don't appear to be recommended as stand alone fixtures for high light demanding situations according to the place selling them.
Personally, I think there are better options available here already.
I'd venture to guess it's because there are American manufacturers who use the same so called patented emitters.
The claim of much less power consumption than others seems to be a bit miss leading and is more or less just marketing talk if you ask me.
They use less power by simply using less leds. But you have to drive them at higher power to achieve the same par as other fixtures not running at max power which means they run hotter to provide the same light. They don't use fans so they will probably degrade faster. Control options seem pretty limited.
For a lower cost entry level into high powered fixtures they seem ok from what little reviews I've found if they are legit reviews. But they don't appear to be recommended as stand alone fixtures for high light demanding situations according to the place selling them.
Personally, I think there are better options available here already.
Dusty4bama
New Member
https://aquariumledstudy.com/2015/05/28/experiment-thesis-abstract-update/
I found a report from St Mary's Sustainability LED research that speaks pretty highly of them. Also if they are waterproof (the distributor has a video where he submerges them for 30 minutes and the keep working the whole time) that is a thermally isolated (closed) system. So first law of thermodynamics, conservation of energy.
Conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.
All power going in either goes out as heat or light. If they were over driving these things they would melt down without a fan or exhaust.
Can you direct me to the reviews that you have found? I am not able to find any first hand reviews from anyone who has used these? I am looking to buy 9 to 11 of these fixtures for a large system and would like to hear from someone who has used them.
I found a report from St Mary's Sustainability LED research that speaks pretty highly of them. Also if they are waterproof (the distributor has a video where he submerges them for 30 minutes and the keep working the whole time) that is a thermally isolated (closed) system. So first law of thermodynamics, conservation of energy.
Conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.
All power going in either goes out as heat or light. If they were over driving these things they would melt down without a fan or exhaust.
Can you direct me to the reviews that you have found? I am not able to find any first hand reviews from anyone who has used these? I am looking to buy 9 to 11 of these fixtures for a large system and would like to hear from someone who has used them.
2quills
Well-Known Member
There's a tiny thread on RC about these with maybe two people who claim to have them and they do just fine. We aren't supposed to post links to that site here. But they didn't convince me that they were real reviews.
Honestly , the spectral output is limited. The only site I found selling them is only selling the fixtures with blue and white leds so there are only 2 channels of control.
You'd need to by 2 of them to be compatible to 1 Radion, 1 Aqua Illuminations, or one kessil 360.
So in actuality they aren't that cheap at all. And $500+ for the wireless controller for 2 channels of output? Seriously?
I just don't see why anyone here would go out of their way to buy them over the other options available. That's probably why you can't find any reviews.
Seems like an expensive gamble when there are tried and true fixtures here already with more color and control.
.02
Honestly , the spectral output is limited. The only site I found selling them is only selling the fixtures with blue and white leds so there are only 2 channels of control.
You'd need to by 2 of them to be compatible to 1 Radion, 1 Aqua Illuminations, or one kessil 360.
So in actuality they aren't that cheap at all. And $500+ for the wireless controller for 2 channels of output? Seriously?
I just don't see why anyone here would go out of their way to buy them over the other options available. That's probably why you can't find any reviews.
Seems like an expensive gamble when there are tried and true fixtures here already with more color and control.
.02
Dusty4bama
New Member
The cost savings form the low power consumption is very enticing. I may get one for a small tank I am considering setting up. Will let you know how it works out.