LED, Ebay & lights

Bajamike

Bajamike

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#1
#1
So I don't think I like my current light set up. I have 5 metal halides. I run 3 12 hours a day and all 5 3 hours a day. The bulbs are hard to find and are not very nice to my wallet. And I don't like to order and wait for things.
So I did the math, If LEDs last for 50,000 hours and you use them 12 hours a day the LED would last about 11 years.
If I replace my metal halides every year for 11 years that would cost $3575.00 figured at $65 a bulb 5 bulbs for 11 years.
So at this point you are saying well bud that's a no brainer! But the other part of this is that I am not a rich man . Even If I did the group buy it would be $600.00 out of pocket (If I need 3 lights)
So I found these http://www.ebay.com/itm/120-Watt-Aq...641?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20be3e51a1 on eBay. I know that they are not as good as the group buy. The group buy is no longer, and I missed out. But will they work? And work for corals? What do you think the pros and cons are?
Next Question is how many do I need? I think 3 on my 125 with 2 center braces.
What are your thoughts? :idea:
 
KhensuRa

KhensuRa

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
#2
Many of us have 120w cheap china LEDs. They have really come down in price over the last 6 to 8 months. I ordered mine from a supplier in China for $194. The nice thing about the light you found is it is a US shipper and has a two year warranty, so that is a good thing. Mine has a two year as well, but I have to ship back to China if I want service on them. So that is a pro about your lights. If I where you I would get 2:1 blue if you can as the whites on these bad boys over power the blue. I have had good luck with mine but others have had theirs stop working on them, but then again you would not have to ship them to China for warranty work.

However, if it is possible to get the EVOS reefkoi sells at the $200 price like some of the guys did awhile back then I would spend that extra 50 bucks per. He has his lights custom built and are of better build quality. But I understand when it comes to money and if were me and could not get the Evo's for $200 bucks, I would go with the ones you found on ebay.

As far as how many, I think Jamie had two over his 125 and it worked, but I think three would be better. I am sure he will give his two cents soon.
 
Off The Deep End

Off The Deep End

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#3
#3
If its a 6' 125gallon than you would need 3, if its the 125t than 2 is good.
 
Cake_Boss

Cake_Boss

Blue Whale
M.A.S.C Club Member
#4
#4
majicmike;129768 said:
So I don't think I like my .......
What are your thoughts? :idea:
Click to expand...


First off, holy poop on your light cycle!

Second, LEDs will last up to and beyond 50,000 hours IF they're powered properly (not ran at max power, proper cooling).

I had a 48" tank, so two is what I went with. I really liked the way everything popped. My growth from my Zs & Ps was amazing, my 2-3 polyp frag of space monsters became 30+ in a couple of months.

What I didn't like. The inability to adjust the leds, it was too blue for my tastes. My clams (24" down) were turning brown instead of the blues, tiger striping, and teal. My acans turned orange. This really upset me, especially when I paid top dollar for some of them. No amount of shading reduced the orange effect. After a few months, the sps up top seemed to be browning out.

I really loved the power consumption of the tank after LEDs. I was running 2x400w MH for a few hours (can't remember how long) my tank was right by my thermostat. The mh were in a canopy and you could feel the heat radiating when you walked by. That said, my bill went from 200+ to mid to high 80s after the switch. I attribute this to the efficiency of LEDs and my ac not kicking on as much.

All in all, I was happy with my LEDs. I got mine from Gonzo BTW. For my new lights, the ability to adjust each color separately is a must. I'm thinking of going with an Evo from reefkoi or DIY. I'm a frugal guy like yourself. HTH
 
Bajamike

Bajamike

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#8
#8
Oh ya have not go my first bill with these lights yet......That may make my wife free up money for LED's And the heat soak was driving me crazy for 3 weeks . I think I have that all under control just in time to not like them lol.
 
Cake_Boss

Cake_Boss

Blue Whale
M.A.S.C Club Member
#9
#9
You can try those lights, I was thinking of getting an apollo, evolution, or some from luke33 on r2r. Do those have a money back guarantee in case you try them and don't like them?

Edit: just read the description. They sound pretty good. 3w leds ran @ 2w. However the title is misleading, the stated power consumption is 120w. In the description, it states 131w. 55 3w led @ 2w is 110w. 21w to run a few fans? Either way, it sounds like a DIYer starting his own eBay business. Give it a shot, why not.
 
Bajamike

Bajamike

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#10
#10
Well pulled the trigger and bought them, found a different seller with the same lights for $144.00 Ill take pics and build a new canopy and up date people. Hope they are not to blue I like the whiter lights :)
 
Off The Deep End

Off The Deep End

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#13
#13
Mike you will have to let us know how you like them. I really like the white case look!
 
AlgaeBarn

AlgaeBarn

Angel Fish
#16
#16
I bought some multichip LED's and I love them. Cheap, easy to wire, and I feel like the coral really likes them.
 
Bajamike

Bajamike

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#17
#17
aztecdreams;199098 said:
I know this is an old thread but are these the same lights you had on at the meeting? How was your growth and color?
Click to expand...
You seen my tank I think they worked just fine
 
spstimie

spstimie

Nurse Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#18
#18
I have two from Hootoo since july 2011. ProjectX got some from them as well at that time. My father is currently running 3 over his 6' 180 with all of my stony corals since I decided to break down my big display. I am in Aurora if you want to look before you buy. I am very satisfied and saved a bunch over t5 or halides.
 
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