Opinions on these chinese LEDs

[bluesox68]

I have been advised that these aren't the best but I can't afford the best. I have read so many mixed reviews and I don't really understand LED's and brightness and par and all that stuff. All I know is I want a 3 watt, with a nice blue colour. Can someone please tell me the difference between these 2 and what you would go with, or if you know a better brand without a huge price jump? It would be tucked in a wooden canopy with fans
over a 40 tall

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/3178...-25-white.html

http://www.aquatraders.com/EVO-24-LE...ht-p/56232.htm

I do want to be educated with these so pros and cons welcome

[lockrookie]

my opinion is the aquatraders one is not worth getting and i use thier products but you wont get enough light from these to grow much best for fresh water ony

i dont know much about the other one but it seems decent and woudl be the better bang for your buck definatey not a high end. and in my opinion try it review it if you dont like it it nto a huge hit to the pocket book and you can use it as a shop light or sump room light or refuge light.

[425nm]

I would be warry of any LED ballast that uses a shotgun approach. Notice how the higher end ballasts usually have 6-12 LEDs rather than >100. This is because higher quality LEDs are more precisely stunned to the wavelengths needed for coral grow so only a handful are needed.
If you're after budget LEDs check out the TMC ballasts on J&L Aquatics. They cheaper and not crap like the Chinese brands. Also give this a read:
http://americanaquariumproducts.com/..._Lighting.html
It explains pretty well everything about lights you need to know.

[bluesox68]

Thanks for the link, Thats going to be a long read lol. So I am looking at J&L but I am not sure exactly what I would need. Are you talking about this?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=ld-ar1380

This
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=ld-ar2810

1 or a 2 of these? and if so what colour?
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...t_ID=ld-ar1250

I do want to keep most things and maybe an anamone that requires high light.

Thanks for all the information!

[RuGlu6]

someone (Momocus) on here ordered these from China
http://www.reefshops.com/60cm-90cm-1...oral-reef.html

Here is the link
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=87149

[monocus]

it's monocus-the light arrived and so far i'm happy with it.i have to check out the par this weekend as it has different phases during the day-at 6pm the par was 250 6" under the water with the light 13" above the water level

[hairston]

i like the second one, looks very high quality.

Originally Posted by bluesox68

I have been advised that these aren't the best but I can't afford the best. I have read so many mixed reviews and I don't really understand LED's and brightness and par and all that stuff. All I know is I want a 3 watt, with a nice blue colour. Can someone please tell me the difference between these 2 and what you would go with, or if you know a better brand without a huge price jump? It would be tucked in a wooden canopy with fans
over a 40 tall

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/3178...d cons welcome

[Snaz]

I thought it would be worth mentioning that the savings on these overseas lights extends to the DIY market too. If you are handy with a solder iron you can build custom fixtures to fit any tank at a fraction of the cost.

I purchased a Bridgelux 16 emitter kit, heat sink, pots, wire and two dimmable drivers for $110 shipped. Everything needed to build a kick ass led fixture.
Http://aquastyleonline.com

[bluesox68]

I would love to do a diy but thats over my head lol! I think I have decided on this one http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...573022517.html The only problem is I will be truing to mount in under my canopy and I just tope its easy to get to the on/off's and dimmers Opinions and feedback is welcome!

[mike31154]

Not a bad choice really for the money. Although I might go with the first one you linked to since there's little info on the UV & Violet components on the one you've picked now. The first one lists the ratio of blue to white & the fact that they are Bridgelux LEDs, which is a well known brand. The second one has no info on how many UV or Violet LEDs are included & whether they're separately dimmable.

Looks like the fixture is well cooled with 3 fans, but you'll need to provide adequate clearance inside your hood for circulation. You don't want that too airtight.