LED brand discussion

[symon_say]

I know you already ordered, but to share my experience, i was in the same debate a few months back when i was setting my tank, but i'm kind of a cheap guy and don't like to spend more than necessary, so i went with the bridgelux route simply because they are cheaper.

Given that setting a new tank from 0 is a lot of money specially a 160g system i could'd afford all the leds i planned for my tank, i wanted 90-100 leds over a 66x20 tank, but i buy 36 in front given that i would put any corals to start with, but destiny change my plans and i get a few corals for cheap and put then in the tank on the sand bed, to my surprise they open and start to grow with just 36 leds in a 22" depth tank, i even add LPS and they were doing fine.

A few months later i purchase 36 more leds, and grow was even better so i decided i didn't need any more leds and this fixture is enought for what i want to keep LPS and some softies.

If you have the money and don't care spending it, go for the cree, they are better and give you more lummen per watt, but is you are like me and put money up front a evaluate by the cost of the things not the price, bridgelux put more lummens per dollar than cree and that makes it a winner for me.

Other thing is LED technology is going to fast and is not that smart to invest in the best product in the market, simply because there will be something better in a few months and the one you pay high price is now cheaper, better go with a medium range and wait until the market settle down a little.

A friend of mine told that i just throw my money because bridgelux won't last 5 years, i just tell him, in 5 years leds will be one of the cheaper equipment for a SW tank, last year high end leds fixture were $700+ today you can have a lot of then for less than $500.