Can't decide on which LEDs to get.

caragol

caragol

Member
This will be for a simple 29g softie/LPS tank.

I can go either Par38 bulbs, for which I can get those bendy legs while I think are far more attractive and without fans will be 100% silent. However, not dimmable, so no control over color once purchased.

For quite a bit less money, I can get one of those chinese dimmable fixtures... but I'd have to figure out a way to hang it that looks pretty without spending a ton. I'm not sure about how high up I'd need to place it or optics.

Anyone have experience with the Chinese units here? How about LEDs over a 30" tank?

What's light spill like with LEDs, is it pretty focused on the tank due to the nature of LEDs or does it spill all over like T5s?
 
I like the PAR38 bulbs myself. Nothing agains the chinese units, but we don't have much information regarding the longevity to expect from these lights is my only concern. They look awesome for sure though.
 
it all comes down to how much you are willing to spend ...

i ws in the same dilemma and didnt like the hanging part so went with kessil a350 bulbs than ai sols or anything

if you wanna use kessils you would need a A350W if not 2 A350s

the colors are amazing under that and its dimmable too :)
caragol said:
This will be for a simple 29g softie/LPS tank.

I can go either Par38 bulbs, for which I can get those bendy legs while I think are far more attractive and without fans will be 100% silent. However, not dimmable, so no control over color once purchased.

For quite a bit less money, I can get one of those chinese dimmable fixtures... but I'd have to figure out a way to hang it that looks pretty without spending a ton. I'm not sure about how high up I'd need to place it or optics.

Anyone have experience with the Chinese units here? How about LEDs over a 30" tank?

What's light spill like with LEDs, is it pretty focused on the tank due to the nature of LEDs or does it spill all over like T5s?
Click to expand...
 
How much are you willing to spend? Try prestige led gus is one of our sponsors and knows his **** when it comes to leds.
 
Price range is in the $200 area... was counting on getting two Par38 and was talking to local coral compusion folks about the Par38 bulbs.

Dimable chinese is about $175, two Par38s are a bit over $200 for the lowest wattage... which makes the dimable unit look nice. But I like the look of all black Par38s with the bendy arms.
 
caragol said:
Price range is in the $200 area... was counting on getting two Par38 and was talking to local coral compusion folks about the Par38 bulbs.

Dimable chinese is about $175, two Par38s are a bit over $200 for the lowest wattage... which makes the dimable unit look nice. But I like the look of all black Par38s with the bendy arms.
Click to expand...

Hi Anthony, I know I spoke with you before, but if you would like, just let me know when you would like to stop by, and you can see all 6 different color/wattage variations over either my 90gal, 40gal, or 20gal. I run par bulbs over all of them. That way you can see the different color/wattage variations in person and make a better educated decision. Also, if you plan on getting two bulbs/fixtures, I can certainly work out a discount. Plus, I see you are in naperville, so you are not very far from me in lisle :)
 
CoralCompulsion said:
Hi Anthony, I know I spoke with you before, but if you would like, just let me know when you would like to stop by, and you can see all 6 different color/wattage variations over either my 90gal, 40gal, or 20gal. I run par bulbs over all of them. That way you can see the different color/wattage variations in person and make a better educated decision. Also, if you plan on getting two bulbs/fixtures, I can certainly work out a discount. Plus, I see you are in naperville, so you are not very far from me in lisle :)
Click to expand...


Well this sounds awesome too :)
 
You're killing me Jimmy... if I see it in person I won't be able to resist, money will fly out of my hands, I'm an easy target, so I'm trying to do my due diligence here before pulling any triggers. But I also like the idea of seeing what I'm about to buy. You have a 20 long right? That's the same width and lenght as my 29 too... I'd actually know what I'm buying before I purchase.
 
I saw the Kessil, but had to nix it... Trying to keep myself focused on a simple tank and not overdoing it... cost is a factor, and I won't be going SPS so I'm trying to keep it tight.
 
caragol said:
You're killing me Jimmy... if I see it in person I won't be able to resist, money will fly out of my hands, I'm an easy target, so I'm trying to do my due diligence here before pulling any triggers. But I also like the idea of seeing what I'm about to buy. You have a 20 long right? That's the same width and lenght as my 29 too... I'd actually know what I'm buying before I purchase.
Click to expand...

Yup. One of my frag tanks is a 20 long. I run two full spectrum 20k bulbs over it, and the spread is perfect. Plus if you stop by in person, I can easily swap those two bulbs for any of my color/wattage bulbs, so you can see exactly what any combination would look like over your tank. And I know it is hard to resist in person, and I certainly would not pressure you to go with my par bulbs for sure right then, but I figured it would help you make an educated decision to see exactly what they look like in person. Just let me know. Shoot me a PM if you want to set something up. Thanks!
 
Don't buy from coral compulsion! JUST KIDDING JIMMY!

Anthony, you know I got my bulbs from Jimmy and I do like them. If I had to choose between colors I like the 20Ks more than the 14Ks; I have the 27w BTW. I have not seen the full spectrum bulbs yet so I don't have an opinion about those yet.
 
:) Yeah, Jimmy's at the top of the list right now, and has been, just a dollar fight mostly that I'm having with myself. I like the idea of not building a hood for the tank or having hanging things all over. I like the idea that this can be a very quiet tank. I like the idea that there's a warranty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top