Best LED fixture for the money?

[tonep]

I just wanted to hear people's opinions on their favorite LED fixtures. I am changing tanks and want to go with new led fixtures.

 

[jdnumis]

You are gonna get a lot of mixed feelings on different leds. Best to do your research

 

[TommyP]

I love mine. I got them off e-bay. 120W dimmable, US seller. They're cheaper now. I spent $286.00 free shipping. Awesome lights.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

If for the money you mean cheap I would say the reefbreeders fixtures are pretty good bang for the buck.

 

[nuch]

Oh boy, here we go!

 

[tonep]

I know everyone has personal preferences, l like more blue, but it's good to hear other people's experiences with products.

 

[Lostinthedark]

I got these http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=18 from Ocean Revive. Full spectrum, dimmable and wide coverage. I switched from the Tao tronics and there is an amazing difference in the color of the coral.

 

[richiero]

diy led form rapidled.com or their pre made ones

 

[Imbarrie]

Nova A6 180W fully dimmable for $300.
But my tank footprint needs a wider light.
Got them from an American supplier who guarantees them.

 

[Lenny718]

Fathom led. Switched from AI's to them and my corals and i couldn't be happier.

 

[vio]

Evergrow IT 2080, 32" long $ 460 . Whats the size of u tank ?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

If you want the best bang for your buck building your unit is the cheapest way to go. 2 schools of thought on this, first you save money on the production cost by buying the raw materials and doing the labor yourself. Second you can build exactly what you want, how you want in the configuration you want. That is a plus in my book if you have the technical and practical knowledge and time to do it. Buying a pre-made fixture on the other hand you are going to pay more for some over others but you need to weigh the options and features available to your needs and financial status at that point.

All of this being said I didn't have the time to build one of my own so I bought one. I weighed all of my needs and was concerned about one thing in the end and that was reliability of service. Having been screwed on a skimmer from a very small company of 1 (FURIOUS 6 cannot complain about fact can they?) I opted to go with a larger company when it came to lighting in the event I needed service or technical assistance. My final decision led me to AI and I bought the SOL nano. My findings eventually led me to the conclusion that the SOL nano was not powerful enough for my needs and I then upgraded to the SOL.

So my advice to you is this. The large companies are more expensive but go with the reliablity of the product and the reliability of the service and you should be fine. Ecotech and AI are top notch in my book so I suggest both of them but there are any number that actually fit that profile. Search here and the other reef sites for reviews on the lights and come to your decision. Nobody here has to live with your decision but you. Good luck!

 

[viplok]

an used ai sol is bang bangbanggggg or the buck imo. or get a hydra. seems pretty good.

 

[yesjenks]

I'd recommend Fathom LED. I've been very happy with the pharo! They have great customer service too!

GL!

 

[bhazard451]

Just about every LED fixture made within the last year will grow coral and provide good color now. Its up to you what your preference is, and how much you want to spend.

I personally prefer led fixtures that use neutral whites and are able to be modded at will. LED tech is getting better and better much too quickly to drop tons of money on, without being able to easily upgrade.

 

[tonep]

Wow lots of great info.
My tank will be 36" so I could go with a 32"-24"
Not sure how a 24" would cover the tank
I think I will mount the fixture close to the tank so a 24" might not work but not sure.
I understand building my own will be cheaper but just don't have the time
What about full spectrum vs just white and blue?
Really needed?
I really like some of the fixtures controlabilty, sunset and sunrise etc
But really needed?

 

[lnevo]

Full spectrum 100%.

6" on each side should be fine.

 

[vio]

Wow lots of great info.
My tank will be 36" so I could go with a 32"-24"
Not sure how a 24" would cover the tank
I think I will mount the fixture close to the tank so a 24" might not work but not sure.
I understand building my own will be cheaper but just don't have the time
What about full spectrum vs just white and blue?
Really needed?
I really like some of the fixtures controlabilty, sunset and sunrise etc
But really needed?

The Evergrow IT 2080, u got blue up to the sky, cover 36" tank easy,yes " controlabilty, sunset and sunrise" only one electr, cord , remote control, easy to setup every 0.5 hour, i just love it.

 

[tonep]

There a lot of interesting new fixtures out there.
It's going to be hard to descide

 

[beastium]

I got these http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=18 from Ocean Revive. Full spectrum, dimmable and wide coverage. I switched from the Tao tronics and there is an amazing difference in the color of the coral.

This fixture looks dope.