Equipment - Cheap LED lighting???

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Cheap LED lighting???

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=56822
Printed Date: August 01 2026 at 10:16am
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Topic: Cheap LED lighting???

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Subject: Cheap LED lighting???
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 12:25pm

Im looking to upgrade my T-5s but the prices for LEDs are still a bit out of my price range. I found some cheap ones but the reviews all say that the lens doesnt diffuse the lights enough and they look spotlight'ish...

http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-Quad-48-LED-Reef-Bright-p/56237.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-Quad-48-LED-Reef-Bright-p/56237.htm

They claim that the the LEDs are "Individual & replaceable lenses" any idea if its possible to buy wider angel lens to get more light spread? Or should i just wait and save up for something a little nicer? I need enough light to keep my 72g mixed reef thriving.

Replies:

Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 12:28pm

Wow. For that cost you could get much better led's. Ask ksmart about his lights.

Adam

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Come to a meeting, they�re fun!

Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 1:37pm

Glad I stopped by lol. I purchased an led fixture off of ebay for like 150 bucks shipped. I've had it for a few months and hopefully soon I'll be adding another one to my set up (65 gallon)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TaoTronics-TT-GL002-Aquarium-Coral-Reef-Tank-black-Blue-LED-Grow-Light-120W-/150826645484?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231df7f7ec#ht_3005wt_1396

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Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 1:46pm

Ok you just replied as i sent you a PM, ebay is blocked from my work computer but i will give it a look when i get home. Also is that enough light to replace the T-5s or is that to add to? And will it be enough light to keep LPS?

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 2:31pm

Looking at the LEDs on my phone, they are up to $189.00 now, but looking at their coverage i assume i would need 2 for my tank, which makes them cost $378. The fixture i was looking at was a 48" fixture so if i could figure out how to diffuse the lighting better i could save (theoretically) $150. Or if im going to spend almost 400 I think i will just opt in for a better MH/actinic combo...

Posted By: lskurys
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 2:53pm

You can also look at it like this. On my tank I run 6 48" T5 lights. I should replace bulbs every 6-8 months. I have been running ATI bulbs and they are around $23 each. So I have a yearly cost of $276 just for bulbs. Most Led fixtures will last between 5 and 7 years with out any lights going out. 7 years the T5's will cost $1932. If you do spend $378 on 2 fixtures, that would give you $1554 over 7 years that you could spend on other upgrades, corals, and fish.

One other thing I would like to point out. Say a year down the road you want to upgrade your tank to say a 6 foot tank. You would just need to add one more fixture and you would be set on lighting the other way you would need to go through a full build on your lighting.

Just my point of view.

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220g , large elite aquatics sump. 3 Radion Pro Gen 3 lights 3 Mp 40's

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 3:14pm

But for each additional fixture = additional power cords... sigh, i guess you cant have your cake and eat it too...

Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: May 30 2012 at 3:49pm

Im growing sps and lps under mine

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Posted By: shawn0999
Date Posted: June 02 2012 at 8:54am

EBay has 3watt Cree fixtures 50 watts for 119

Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 8:20am

Found a youtube video of the Taotronic lights KSmart recommends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ktfyVrYmY&feature=related" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ktfyVrYmY&feature=related

Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 1:48pm

I just ordered my second fixture today for 158 bucks free shipping.

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Posted By: napalm77
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 11:21pm

i picked up dimmable 150 w led's locally for $279. i needed two but they look awesome!

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Posted By: Spbeyond
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 2:13pm

ksmart how long have you had that LED fixture? Has your coral been growing and is still happy? I have been reading some good and some very bad reviews on them. Mostly from people who dont seem to have any first hand experience.

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90 Gallon Reef w/4 bulb 54W t5

I buy, sell and restore pinball machines. Got one in the basement? ;)

Posted By: ksmart
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 2:59pm

I've had it since February and its been awesome so far. I like that it has a separate switch for the blue and white. The one fixture isnt enough for my tank which is why I ordered another one. I have most of my sps under it and I'm getting some really awesome colors out of them. Most of my lps is on the sand bed and Im getting some really cool colors out of them as well. So far I'm really happy with it. I've seen on ebay newer led fixtures called apollo 4 or apollo 7 that look better than what I've got but they are little bit more expensive. The only thing I'd change about my fixture is you can get one with 25 blues and 30 whites (mine has 30 blues and 25 whites).

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Posted By: gmc9sqm
Date Posted: June 12 2012 at 9:50pm

i also have the exact same led's that ksmart has, i have 4 of them on my 210. they are awesome lights!

Posted By: Spbeyond
Date Posted: June 15 2012 at 2:03pm

Have you guys seen the dimable ones that look basicly the same? Does anything know if they are as good, they dont have the same brand name on them but look as if they are probably made by the same people... just a guess though.

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90 Gallon Reef w/4 bulb 54W t5

I buy, sell and restore pinball machines. Got one in the basement? ;)