Led lights what brand to buy

Reeferluke · #1 09-17-2013, 07:54 PM

I'm looking for a led light for my 72gal. I run 2 400watt xm 20k now also blue led for my antic. Found some cheap 120 watt led lights on eBay just some no name brand. Are they worth it or should I just buy new bulbs for my lights? Or if anybody knows a better option any info is good. Thanks

spit.fire · #2 09-17-2013, 09:13 PM

What kind of tank? Mixed reef? Sps? Softies?

Werbo · #3 09-17-2013, 09:34 PM

Need to know your tank goals? SPS need alot of light and a cheap LED will probably not meet the needs of SPS.

Are you having temperature issues with the 400W metal halides? Are you able to keep up with evaporation? Hydro bills a concern? If you answered no to the above then stay with the MH and maybe buy 400W Radium bulbs (you won't regret it).

Reeferluke · #4 09-17-2013, 11:27 PM

It's a mixed reef more lps then sps. Heat is not a prob it's in a basement with a fan on the sump.

wickedfrags · #5 09-17-2013, 11:49 PM

vertex illumina - love mine

Aquattro · #6 09-17-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedfrags

vertex illumina - love mine

Might be a bit more than the cheap Ebay lights

nrosdal · #7 09-18-2013, 12:35 AM

Of the less expensive fixtures available we have Evergrow and they have been fantastic with both performance and warranty(rather then going with a generic ebay fixture with a questionable warranty/output). As for the popular more commercial fixtures it seems Mitras get best reviews with Radions and sols are usually fighting it out for 2nd and 3rd place.

JMO

xenon · #8 09-18-2013, 12:49 AM

Best bang for the buck would be the AquaIllumination Hydra's.

They are full spectrum and at a damn good price too.

Madreefer · #9 09-18-2013, 12:56 AM

IMO you will get better colors out of your corals with MH supplemented with T5s. I switched over to LEDs 2 years ago and would never switch back. I'm happy with my AIs. It was alot of tweaking and playing around with them on the switchover. I run Sol Blues and just recently picked up some Hydras.

AdamsB · #10 09-18-2013, 01:21 AM

You can get cheap 6-8 bulb t5 ho units on eBay, if its mostly lps those would likely be fine. Although I was going to go that route for my 90 I decided on the ever grow it2080. Didn't like it at first because I've only ever had t5 and led is definitely different. But now I love it after some tweaking. My sps are currently booming and i only run my lights at a max of 60% with a sunrise sunset added in. Reviving a bonsai and green monti and getting huge expansion on my candy cane. I obviously can't comment on the more popular brands but for price and performance it's hard to beat.