Maxspect G2 160W

acrotrdco · Apr 8, 2011

Just different models.

XP-G get up to 70-80 lm/watt, it's mostly white colors (warm / neutral)
XP-E is colored bulbs, slightly lower lm/watt (like royal blue, blue, etc.)
XM-L is the latest models with up to 180lm/watt at 3000mA, comes in white colors only (warm / neutral)

snoopie · Apr 8, 2011

GR808 said:
Thanks snoopie, I appreciate the help. I may sound ignorant at times about LEDs but that's probably because I am. lol
Ok, so 70 degree optics for all the LEDS... got it
I think I will just run CWs and RBs. not sure on the ratio though, I want about a 14-15K look. 20k is too blue. I think that's about a 2-1 ratio of RBs-CWs?
also I believe it's 12 LEDs per driver right? So for the 48(2X), I would run 8 drivers... wow

No you can run 24 LEDS per driver I am only running 3 for 72... but you have to do PARALLEL wiring to make 24 to work. Also do 2:1 ratio you can make blues lower dim and white higher to get a 14-15k look if you go with blue XR-E and white XP-G then you will get 15k with blues at 70% and whites at 80%

theres more...

XR-E Blue/White
XR-C red/green
XP-G only white good for HIGH NOON!
XP-E blue/white (more lumen then XR-E)
XM-L bright! But have not been tested for Reef's as of now XR-E can be powerful enough to burn coral so no reason to spend more money on XM-L As of right now also no one if reef worl or even rapidled carries them.

All in all XR-E 2:1 ratio is what I run and its better then then any fixture I have seen. I am adding 8 XP-G for High noon only on from 11am-3pm and thats all high sun only. I don't need to but only for fun because I can. I will also be playing with some green and red only total of 4 though... Only for fun no reason to be honest.

What size tank do you have? If I know the tank and size I can tell you the exact same thing Bill will tell you to run and what would be better.

GR808 · Apr 8, 2011

my tank is a 72x18x20 and Bill mentioned in another thread that I should run 48 (2x) with 8(2X) XP-G. I figured that is some serious lighting compared to my 6X54w T5s I have now.. I don't have alot of SPS so I figured I can go with just 48 (2X).

snoopie · Apr 8, 2011

The XP-G is just for high noon affect. U don't need them. I am adding them to mine. But my coral do just well without them. I just run my whites between 11-3 10% brighter then the blues.

Sent from my EVO.

GR808 · Apr 8, 2011

Do you think 36 LEDs (2X) is insufficient lighting? I know more is better but just trying to save a few bucks. How would my 6 T5s compare up to 36 LEDs (2X) on a 24" heatsink? Or 48 LED (2X) on a 24" heatsink?

snoopie · Apr 8, 2011

For a 72 tank I would not go lower then two 48.

GR808 · Apr 8, 2011

got it.... dipping deep into the pocket......

only pulled out loose change..

may have to get a loan...........

lol

CJO · Apr 9, 2011

If you go with XP-Gs, you can get away with less of them and you can also run them at a higher current. I have 12 cool white XP-Gs running at 1A and 24 royal blue XP-Es running in parallel at 700mA over my 65 gallon tank.

CJ

GR808 · Apr 9, 2011

CJO said:
If you go with XP-Gs, you can get away with less of them and you can also run them at a higher current. I have 12 cool white XP-Gs running at 1A and 24 royal blue XP-Es running in parallel at 700mA over my 65 gallon tank.

CJ

Got any par readings CJ?

snoopie · Apr 9, 2011

optic info in on reefledlights go to optic section in HOW TO DIY section

CJO · Apr 10, 2011

I have a combination of 80 and 60 degree optics. The lights are about 4 inches above the surface of the water. At the surface (under the water), I'm right around 600. I'm at abou 250-350 at 8 inches below the surface and it drops to about 50-80 at the sand bed, which is 18.5 inches below the surface.

CJ