Help with LED's

[JP1269]

I am new to the hobby and was looking at the following LED Systems:


1. Current USA orbit marine 36"-48" LED Saltwater Reef Lighting system


specs below

2. Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting system 36-48"
specs below
Size1 Watt White LEDs1 Watt Blue LEDsPar/LUX at 12"PAR/LUX at 24"Lumens18"-24"183130/1270064/5870130524"-36"234130/1270064/5870167036"-48"366130/1270064/5870261048"-60"468130/1270064/58703340The Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System provides the correct intensity and spectral output to maintain reef aquariums. These LEDs produce high quality, natural-looking light that shimmers and creates shadows throughout the water, adding depth and dimension to the aquarium.Use the white LEDs during the day and the blue LEDs at night to enjoy the aquarium at all hours of the day. The LED Light has a unique, sleek, contemporary design that makes other aquarium lights obsolete.


Need some help and guidance as to which is a better lighting system for my tank. I do have some corals anemone and soft corals and the tank is 65 gallon tall

 

[QueensRob]

Hey. Dont get fooled by the data, it WILL NOT grow corals Alone. I use it for sunrise /sunset and a 130w 48led fixture for normal lighting. I did notice the corals do benefit from thr 4 spectrums it provides. Also it fell into my tank and was completely water proof. The weather effects are nice as well. I currently have these over all my tanks.

 

[ReefLord]

I have a same post up, i am wondering if the orbit will be good enough for softies, mushrooms, RBTA, etc.

 

[QueensRob]

Lets put it this way, my mushrooms were not growing, zoos had long necks because they were reaching, nothing really colored up, at 6". Its a great suplimental light.

 

[cmantis]

What size is your tank? A lot of folks are using d120 led's (made in China) with decent success reported. These are often considered your entry level LED's and from there you can step up to more control, features and better hardware with companies like Kessil, Radion, AI etc.

 

[ReefLord]

What about reef breeders? Is their photon 48" fixture really worth the $500 price?

 

[QueensRob]

I have 55 SPS, 66 LPS. I diy all my led fixtures controlled by apex (besides orbit). I have seen 2 python on a 66g mix reef at %80 and it looked great but not sure about growth. Worth, no led is worth those prices. I pat $.50 per led, $33 for driver, aluminum bar from home depot $9. and combine with apex i get dimming, weather, and sunrise/sunset.

 

[Shooz]

I have the 18"on my Fluval Spec V 5.5 Gallon. Would this provide enough light to keep a frogspawn?

 

[QueensRob]

Yes. Would be more than enough for many polyp and euphelias.

 

[deo glass]

@cmantis - ive used those china led fixtues with amazing results... grew a ton of it all.. softies, lps, and sps... def not bad for the money... although these new radions are awesome... didnt realize how small the fixture was til i opened the box... had to scratch my head til i plugged it in...