Help me decide.. Which Mulitchip?

S

saltcreep

Member
#1
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
162
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
Loas Angeles
#1
So I have my 150 up and running for a few weeks now. I have a bunch of zoos frags and 5 fishies so bio load is relatively light. My current lighting consist of 4x80w T5's with Blue+ bulbs and 2x50w Chinese multi chip actinic LED's. When the T5's are off they LED's really looks good. But when T5's are on they are barely noticeable.

My plan is going to full SPS in the next few weeks and maybe a couple more fishes. 2-3 max. Based on my future plans... are 2x50w LED's enough and should I go with full spectrum chips? My options are below:

1. LED Group Buy - 2 or 3 Lumia 5.1 100w FS chips
2. LED Group Buy - 2 or 3 Lumia 5.2 70w FS chips
3. Rapid LED - 2 or 3 Aurora Pucks 60w FS chips

I would like to wire them to my new APex via VDM module so I looking to achieve control ability and power.

I like the 5.1's because the are the cheapest, have 5 channel, and the most wattage. I like the 5.2 because they are the newer chips and have better LED, still a bit stronger than the Aurora chips but not as strong as the 5.1's. The Aurora chips are the most expensive but with the least power. I like them because they are much more easier to wire and they utilize the Radion Gen 3 lenses.

What should I go with, how many chips, and how should I set this up up?

G-
 
lurking

lurking

2
#2
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Messages
6,741
Likes
84
Points
48
Location
Long Beach
#2
all three are poor choices with maybe the rapid led pucks being an average choice. I would look at other options or just building your own using quality leds with a good spectrum selection.
 
F-Dawg

F-Dawg

🐟
#4
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
1,478
Likes
23
Points
38
Location
IE
#4
Or you can buy 2x Radion Gen3 PRO LED clusters for $250. There's a build on RC DIY. There's a guy slapping these clusters on a heat sink and using multiple meanwell LDD's to drive each color.
 
SchnitzelReef

SchnitzelReef

Member
#5
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
13,586
Likes
104
Points
48
Location
Eastvale, Ca (Corona)
#5
I was looking at those recently, they look really promising. I would def look into the aurora. I think it's a little more money, but I bet it's setup the best. (As far as color and LEDs are concerned) And running the Radion optic is a big plus IMO. I think there's no denying that Ecotech puts quite a bit of R&D into their lights.
 
S

saltcreep

Member
#6
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
162
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
Loas Angeles
#6
Oh snap... didn't know they were selling the clusters separately.. do you have a link to the thread?

g
F-Dawg said:
Or you can buy 2x Radion Gen3 PRO LED clusters for $250. There's a build on RC DIY. There's a guy slapping these clusters on a heat sink and using multiple meanwell LDD's to drive each color.
Click to expand...
 
F-Dawg

F-Dawg

🐟
#8
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
1,478
Likes
23
Points
38
Location
IE
#8
saltcreep said:
Oh snap... didn't know they were selling the clusters separately.. do you have a link to the thread?

g
Click to expand...
If you go this route, You'll need to purchase the clusters fast. Pretty soon Ecotech is going to catch up what people are doing with their clusters and will require a S/N to purchase the upgrade kit. Upgrade kits includes 2x clusters, 2x TIR lenses, Wiring harness.

I got a few on order and will start the build thread soon.
 
S

saltcreep

Member
#10
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
162
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
Loas Angeles
#10
Thanks Nando!

g
F-Dawg said:
If you go this route, You'll need to purchase the clusters fast. Pretty soon Ecotech is going to catch up what people are doing with their clusters and will require a S/N to purchase the upgrade kit. Upgrade kits includes 2x clusters, 2x TIR lenses, Wiring harness.

I got a few on order and will start the build thread soon.
Click to expand...
 
SchnitzelReef

SchnitzelReef

Member
#11
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
13,586
Likes
104
Points
48
Location
Eastvale, Ca (Corona)
#11
F-Dawg said:
If you go this route, You'll need to purchase the clusters fast. Pretty soon Ecotech is going to catch up what people are doing with their clusters and will require a S/N to purchase the upgrade kit. Upgrade kits includes 2x clusters, 2x TIR lenses, Wiring harness.

I got a few on order and will start the build thread soon.
Click to expand...
****. That sounds legit. I def wanna see that build
 
S

saltcreep

Member
#12
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
162
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
Loas Angeles
#12
That's what I'm hearing... I wonder how they compare against rapid led's aurora puck. Essentially they are both using the CREE LED's.

F-Dawg said:
If you go this route, You'll need to purchase the clusters fast. Pretty soon Ecotech is going to catch up what people are doing with their clusters and will require a S/N to purchase the upgrade kit. Upgrade kits includes 2x clusters, 2x TIR lenses, Wiring harness.

I got a few on order and will start the build thread soon.
Click to expand...
 
mark.a.smith405

mark.a.smith405

Premium Member
Supporter
#15
Joined
Feb 5, 2012
Messages
4,774
Likes
20
Points
38
Location
tustin
#15
You get a lot more with the actual unit though. Programming reef link stuff like that. Not to mention super clean and warranties. Don't feel bad about the purchase
 
F-Dawg

F-Dawg

🐟
#17
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
1,478
Likes
23
Points
38
Location
IE
#17
Differences between the Aurora and radion Gen 3 cluster is
- Aurora puck uses all Cree leds.
- Radion Gen 3 uses Cree,SemiLed,Osram leds.
- Aurora puck has 4 channels for control
- Radion Gen 3 has 6 channels for control
2x Aurora puck $220
2x Radion Gen 3 Puck $150




 
S

saltcreep

Member
#18
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
162
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
Loas Angeles
#18
No doubt... I would get 2 g3 pro's in a heart beat if I had the dough... I like to DIY anyways ways so I need to consider cost first... But yes... They are well worth the money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top