EcoPico LED PAR and review
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49485
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Topic: EcoPico LED PAR and review
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Subject: EcoPico LED PAR and review
Date Posted: June 10 2011 at 4:52pm
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Well I went from a RapidLED PAR38 bulb to the EcoPico LED strips over my 7.5g tank. The PAR38 bulb was too powerful and I didn't like looking at it hang over the tank. I didn't get readings of the RapidLED bulb but I just got some for my setup.
Here are the details of what I have and the PAR readings. Mr. Aqua 7.5g tank (12x12x12 cube) High Clarity glass EcoPico LED arm and 3 LED strips (2-12k/453nm, 1 453nm). So 3 strips total. Vortech MP10 (running during measurements) The red numbers are dead center or right on the corals themselves. The yellow numbers are in the rear corners of the tank. 
The PAR numbers aren't exactly mind blowing but I didn't expect them to be either. I am NOT keeping anything light demanding. No SPS or clam will ever see this tank. Now for my review: I love these little lights. They aren't overly bright and my corals have responded great in the 1.5 weeks I have had them. I can control dusk/dawn now and stare at my tanks with all blue LED's. LOVE THAT! The PAR38 bulb was bleaching everything in the tank. Zoanthids never opened and my 2 LPS were losing color quickly. My pink tip frogspawn was going light green and had no pink of any kind. It isn't the bulbs fault, I just didn't need that much light overall. The pink tips are coming back on the frogspawn and looking great. The lobo has gotten a ton of its' color back as well. My one zoanthid may be dead but the other two are opening now and looking great. These LED's are not meant to house high light corals. They were originally made for a FW tank to keep some fish. I will say that the movies are REALLY deceiving though. One LED strip barely creates any light. The movies on these LED strips make it look brighter than they really are. (Yes, I know that cameras have a tough time picking up LED light. Just look at how crappy my picture is!) If you want a clean looking light setup for your rimless tank, I highly recommend these. Just know your limitations! In the end I think I will add 2 more strips to the tank, giving me 5 in total. I am thinking of adding another all blue and an all white. I am hoping the all white will brighten up the tank for daytime viewing and the blue LED's will add that much more POP overall. I give them a 4 out of 5 stars overall and hope that Ecoxotic makes some reflectors for these strips. They waste a lot of light outside the tank. Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: June 10 2011 at 5:11pm
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Thanks for the info. Do you have a picture showing the lights? What are you doing with your par38..... ;) ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: June 10 2011 at 6:37pm
Here is another picture that I took. The pic is terrible and looks like crap but you get an idea of the light arm and all. Also check out Ecoxtoic's website for my info and pics: http://www.ecoxotic.com/products/modular-led-lighting/led-arm-light.html - http://www.ecoxotic.com/products/modular-led-lighting/led-arm-light.html I am going to sell my PAR38 bulb to try and recoup some of the costs. I have the bulb, used for about 7 weeks and the cord to hang it. I got a power cord from Ikea and it is meant to be hung by some hooks. I have all of it. Don't know a price yet but have been thinking $75 for someone local. The bulb is $90 brand new plus shipping and the cord and shade cost me another $15.
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