R-3 Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 So I have a 2' cube that I am looking to change the lighting up on. I mainly keep LPS, zoas, and sofites. I also would like to add a couple SPS pieces. So pretty much I want a light that does it all. Ive noticed a lot of people have jumped on LEDS lately and love them. Especially some a few of you with rather large tanks which I think is awesome. Heres a couple I found..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/CREE-60W-LED-DIMMABLE-AQUARIUM-REEF-LIGHT-FIXTURE-/230754506244?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ba0a5604#ht_975wt_1396 http://www.ebay.com/itm/60W-Dimmable-CREE-LED-Aquarium-Light-250W-Metal-Halide-/130511367634?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e63156dd2#ht_1430wt_1396 They are 60W's total. 20 3W Crees. My LFS sells a fixture that looks identical to these. Are the 3w Crees the way to go??? Also Im looing for an overall 14k-20k look. Leaning towards the 20k spectrum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I am not gonna get into which is better....but i do like the fact that more one watters have more spread and spectrum overlap. I think SOME three watter can have a spotlight effect and since there is usually less of them, it is easier for me to see pockets of different light. What abouts par38s? Anyone tried kessils? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 So I looked a little more and the AI SOL Blue looks nice and priced comeptitivley. http://www.aquacave.com/Aqua-Illuminations-SOL-Super-Blue-Modular-LED-Lighting-System-BLACK-P3380C378.aspx#reviews I am not gonna get into which is better....but i do like the fact that more one watters have more spread and spectrum overlap. I think SOME three watter can have a spotlight effect and since there is usually less of them, it is easier for me to see pockets of different light. What abouts par38s? Anyone tried kessils? I get what your saying. Never thought of the spotlight look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattv Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I love my diy from Rapidled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Love my reefstars..... Sent from my A200 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Love my boostleds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I love my diy from Rapidled! +1 I'm loving these lights as well Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I like the way the reefstars are setup...and I hear they have new aluminum housing and built in timer etc...Yeah not a big fan of spotlights either...silver fish swimming down the tank go white, blue, white, blue as they pass under the lights...looks unnatural Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardedsmurf Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Go down to All for Fish in Albany and talk to Ryan. He's got some nice LED setups and options in there (last time I checked). I'm running the 2' Cree 3W setup with controller that he sells over my tank and getting fantastic coral growth. -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 AI sol blues and Radions both take the cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I just ordered the AI Nano Sol and controller for my new cube. Can't wait to set it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriz2fer Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I would get the ai sol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omarortiz Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I'd say you need more than 20 3 watt LEDs for a 60 gallon cube with a depth of 24 inches. It all depends on what you want to grow though. I would suggest DIY for a couple of reasons. The first is simply cost savings. The second is modularity. LED technology is changing all of the time and being able to add or switch out different LEDs is a pretty big advantage for DIY. There are some modular fixtures out there, but I could not point the way for you with that respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Double post several hours later. not sure how that happened. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackaninny Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 2 ft of these and then dump the LEDs you want into them with just a little bit of soldering: http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=31573 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltsick4u Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 One reef star with optics and your good. I have seen 120's keeping corals alive, fully colored, and growing at over 36 inches.....Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 I just ordered the AI Nano Sol and controller for my new cube. Can't wait to set it up. What size cube Dave??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 The cube I'm setting up is a 27g with starfire glass on the front. It's 18wx18dx19.5t. A little smaller than yours but the regular AI sol would be sweet on a 60g cube. BTW I REALLY wanted to set up a 60g cube but mama said NO..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugenereef Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I love my diy from Rapidled! +1. Have had a lot of luck with LEDs. I have a 90g and a nano running on LEDs. both have SPS and they are thriving!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 The cube I'm setting up is a 27g with starfire glass on the front. It's 18wx18dx19.5t. A little smaller than yours but the regular AI sol would be sweet on a 60g cube. BTW I REALLY wanted to set up a 60g cube but mama said NO..... Yeah Im leaning towards an AI SOL. There are not much more than a DIY as I can see. Do I have to buy the controller?? If not they are only $400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefStar Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I am not gonna get into which is better....but i do like the fact that more one watters have more spread and spectrum overlap. I think SOME three watter can have a spotlight effect and since there is usually less of them' date=' it is easier for me to see pockets of different light.[/quote'] +1, my same thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltsick4u Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 This is why I recommended reef star......I feel my tank is amazingly lit tuner these 180x1watt LED's it is currently under. Plus with the single cord and built in timers for blue, white, and moon.....no need for controller..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaman30k Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Ryan, Hit me up and stop after work one of these days. I can show you how a Radion fixture will look over a cube just like yours. Even if you don't go with the radion it will give you an idea of the look an AI Sol will produce. Granted we will have to screw with the spectrum but we can make it look exactly the same as the sol. Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-3 Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Thanks for the info guys! Josh I might just have to take you up on that offer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunMonahan Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Hey Ryan- I have seen most of these LED systems in use while on business in SoCal at various reef stores there. There are only (2) that really have the features and warranty that I would personally consider: AI Sol Blue EcoTech Radion These units both have optics and are completely controllable/dimmable. I prefer the AI Sol Blue for a few reasons: Cost - Significantly lower (about $270 lower) than the Radions for about the same benefit. Serviceability - Made in IA! This thread could go on for years (See RC) about different features, optics, spectrum's of LED's used... But, my point being that I have seen these in use and the results in person - For the $$, AI Sol has my vote. BTW: I do not work for SLS or AI, so I have no skewed monetary slant/gain on sharing my opinion here. I have ordered the AI Sol Blue for my 34 Solana to replace my 250w 20K Radium. If you know me at all, giving up a Radium lamp is like pulling my teeth- all my teeth. Hope this helps- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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