Ebay LED Lights - Anyone used them?

[Chronology]

Hey guys,

So I am looking to replace my Marineland Reef Ready LED system. Yeah I know its junk-decent, however for my size (48x16.5x30) I need more power, plus I want to keep SPS in my main tank. Currently I have a frag tank that gives me the PAR and wavelengths to manage SPS.

I was looking into Hydra's, Reefbreeders and DIY lighting, I assume I will need 2 for the coverage area and possibly move from 90 to 60 degree optics (Mixed) to get the 30inch depth mark.

Cost wise, I looked on Ebay and found

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x240W-Led...908?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d4c876ec (2 units, 240W)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-Full-S...659?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d4d00773 (Single Unit 165W, they sell 2 for 300ish)

Now thats 2 lights for around 340.00 bucks! I know you get what you pay for in this hobby, however they state they are using Brightlux LEDs at 2w and they are rated for 3w etc. The only thing I can think of later on having to fix/change are drivers and Meanwell ones will do the trick.

They only have 450-452 Blues and 10k white, but I asked the seller if they can make changes and he said not a problem plus the price would not change.


What am I missing? I have seen a few LFS use them on large tanks (I think they are, I dont see any name brands and the style are very similar to the Ebay ones).

Thoughts?

-Chron

 

[Beezaroh]

Im on the same boat here. Will be checking out the thread for a response

 

[peter]

You get what you pay for, but I think theyll work fine if its bridgelux leds, ive used them for a diy and the worked great. Id go with a 3:1 ratio blues:whites if you can, and make sure they are dimmable.

 

[Chronology]

The plan is to go dimmable, have them change some of the lights around to 400-420nm, 440-470nm a few others (UV/V/B/G/R - Full Spectrum across 2 light systems). The only thing I want to confirm is that I can run them with an Apex (xmass) or get them to work and if coral growth with std prams work.

 

[peter]

No idea with apex, but I had good growth and color with 36leds, the spread on them were terrible. On a 48" tank if you wanted full coverage you would need 3-4 fixtures. Depends on your rockscape also, 30" is pretty deep how high do you plan on hanging the lights?

 

[Chronology]

I plan on running 2 - everything other then whites on 60's and the whites on 90. I dont plan on hanging them that hight, currently the Marineland is like 3-4 inches off the top, I am thinking of doing a pulley type hanging so I can adjust the height.

 

[Chronology]

Ill bother Omar on the Apex...

 

[Reefomeez]

Ill bother Omar on the Apex...

I heard my name...lol

Should be gravy on the apex control assuming the drivers allow it and there's a cable to connect to the apex (you'll need a breakout box too). I'm waiting for Six2Seven or Schnitzelreef to chime in...those dudes know LEDs and what you'd need to make them apex compatible.

 

[Corry Robbins]

personally I would go with the reefbreeders. I have had good results. the only downside is the drivers aren't apex compatible. there is talk that they will be in the next upgrade though

 

[Corry Robbins]

logan over at reefbreeders is usally happy to work to get you whatever you want. I asked him and he can upgrade drivers on older systems so if the drivers will be compatible in the future you can send him the light and he'll update it for u

 

[GoBigGuy]

Love to know what you ended up getting because I am on a tight budget and have been looking at the same ones on ebay for my 90 gal

 

[xmas_one]

You're not going to run them off of an apex. They are dimmable, but it's 2 channels with manual pots.

 

[oredith]

You're not going to run them off of an apex. They are dimmable, but it's 2 channels with manual pots.

yes and no.

depending on how good you are with programming, you can actually build a bridge with an arduino unit.

 

[MRCYCS805]

Im running a reefbreeders photon48 which is pretty cool it took awhile to get it dialed to a color i liked coming from t5 with almost all blue+ and a couple coral+ bulbs but my corals have responded well no loss within the month this is on my 90 gal ive been looking into these ledzeal fixtures for a 60" tank im going to be setting up as they are one of the only led fixtures i could find in 60" length and they have good reviews on the other forum with custom layouts as the stock is too white and at a good price you have to email them for pricing etc.

http://www.ledzeal.com/p43.html


Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[xmas_one]

yes and no.

depending on how good you are with programming, you can actually build a bridge with an arduino unit.

Links?

 

[oredith]

Links?

http://www.arduino.cc/

you can buy the base unit from amazon for under 30 bucks. there are a TON of people who program these things, and it's all open source. all you have to do it hook the dimmer pot to one of the control outputs on the arduino, and then connect the input signal to the apex, and control it with your apex.

the arduino is basically a really rudimentary version of apex, that's able to do a lot more, but not nearly as nicely packaged.

 

[xmas_one]

http://www.arduino.cc/

you can buy the base unit from amazon for under 30 bucks. there are a TON of people who program these things, and it's all open source. all you have to do it hook the dimmer pot to one of the control outputs on the arduino, and then connect the input signal to the apex, and control it with your apex.

the arduino is basically a really rudimentary version of apex, that's able to do a lot more, but not nearly as nicely packaged.

Pretty sure that ain't gonna happen with the stock drivers. People have done it, but you gotta run meanwells instead of the stockers, it's really not worth the cost/hassle.