Considering LEDs.

[tyler1503]

Hi everyone. I hope the holiday period has been good to you all!
I'm looking into moving on to LEDs. I'm looking specifically at the OceanRevive Arctic-T247.
I have a 4x2x2 120. It's a fowlr at the moment and will eventually become a LPS dominant mixed reef, but I would like the option to have SPS and clams too.
I don't really know much about LEDs, so any advice or personal experience stories with this unit would be much appreciated.
I'm also assuming 2 units is enough for that size tank?
Thanks!

 

[tigerdragon]

I currently am running this unit on my frag tank. Hang it 12" above tank will cover a 36" spread. Yes 2 units will be enough for your tank. Its a great unit best value for the buck.

 

[tyler1503]

Awesome! Thanks for the info :)
Any one else have any input?

 

[tyler1503]

Bump :)

 

[Jimbo662]

Check out the Kessil A360WE's. My LPS are loving the lights and are all growing nicely. I've got a blasto that started out as a single head in March. it's now more than doubled in size (about 2 1/2" across) and has 4 new heads that are no almost 1" across. One of my acans with two babies about the size of a BB in mid October. They're now a little smaller than a dime. I've got them about 9" above the water and the water depth is about 18". Lights are set at 63% intensity and 35% color so it's more on the blue side.

 

[Eckolancer]

+1 on the kessils here is a shot of them on my tank that is about same size as yours.

 

[tigerdragon]

If cost isnt a factor then yes kessils but at 400 a pop i couldnt afford that just as happy with mine

 

[Eckolancer]

If cost isnt a factor then yes kessils but at 400 a pop i couldnt afford that just as happy with mine

They can be had for less if you buy 3 or more at a time and know where to look.

 

[masterkaw]

Had a friend using two OceanRevive on his 90g and couldn't get the same exact color from both units. One side of the tank was one color and the other side a different color. That's the only experience with these I've seen. Not saying they are all this way. If it were me I wouldn't buy them unless you are looking at them in person before buying. Otherwise like others said, Kessil or even Hydras. I had a regular hydra on a 60g cube, it did seem a bit dim but my corals grew and had good colors. Look for used ones at a decent price.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

As far as I know and don't take my word for it, research yourself ;)

LED's are: the longest lasting, lowest power consumption, lowest heat, chemical free, and all around best design when it comes to any light bulbs.

 

[tyler1503]

Thanks everyone!
Unfortunately at $500 a pop kessils are a bit far out of my price range at the moment. I can't justify spending $1500-$2000 on lighting.
That's the reason I'm looking at this fixture, $350 will get me a full lighting system.
That's good to know about the colours not matching, I've never considered that as a possibility before.
Haha thanks SMH. I will do some research beyond this, I just figured first hand experience straight from the source was better than reading the manufacturers info on the net lol.
I'm not sure what information I need to be researching when it comes to LEDs though. I know the basic information, like the LEDs blue:white:red/green/uv ratio, how the LEDs are arranged, what colours are on what channel, lenses, fans, warranty and probably a few other things I can't think. But what else do I need to know?

 

[Eckolancer]

I have built 100s of diys and they do great. Have even used pre bought name brand ones in the past. But if you want corals to have close to T5 colorations Kessils have figured that out. With most of the leds I've used in the past I would get a green hue to my corals. Sometimes it would make the SPS look better sometimes it made it look worse. Eventually I decided my tank was looking to green. I almost gave up and was thinking about adding some t5 strips. Tried kessils and won't look back.

 

[Initforaminute]

I run 3 18 inch ACAN 600. Ck them out ! They are sweet !

 

[tigerdragon]

They look sweet but again at their price they run comparable in price to ai, orphek, and such. I run the t247 on frag tank and i have reef radiance dm165e on dt getting good growth just start out easy and slowly ramp up.

 

[Initforaminute]

I chose them because I knew they grew the hell out of coral, can do everything built in and are 20 min away from me and if I have any issues can go there and drop my unit off and get it resolved. I've been there while they looked at my buddy's light to see if they can do anything since he dropped it in the water. Well his daughter did. They swapped out the bad LED's and were like have a nice day. Great company and great lights !

 

[mrbncal]

I have two t247 on my 75 and I like them. I can't mount the lights high enough so I get a little shading on things. I added two t5 bulbs to combat this and I am very happy with the results. I think if o could raise the units up I might be able to stop the t5s but it's not an option. OR makes a good product I think.

 

[Saltwater on the brain]

Gotta go with Kessils...best LED hands down. The phrase "getting what you pay for" definitely applies. I've tried others and they can't hold a flame to Kessil lighting. Two 360's will cover a 4' tank easily and your corals will appreciate it. If you can spring a little bit extra, I'd definitely recommend them. I bought a pair on feebay for $350 ea. ...gave best offer and seller accepted. Bought another with a 10% off coupon from feebay for my smaller frag tank.

 

[NanaReefer]

Depends on your budget, if you have one that is. :)

 

[bcmiguel]

if you looking for something a little more budget friendly consider the reefbreeders (US) or evergrow(CDN) LED's, I have 1 IT2040 on my nano and it has been awesome, super bright, if anything I have it turned to 30% intensity. They have one light with manual knobs to control colour for under $200 I believe.

 

[Big Larr]

The last post is a good idea and also check out mars aqua brand fixtures I have the 300watt one and its great