PAR38 LED Question?

I have been researching into PAR38 LED light bulbs (the ones that screw into sockets) for the past couple of days. I mainly have been researching Orphek, Ecoxotic and Rapid LED... So what im asking is which one would suit my needs.... They all seem like great products but i just dont know which one is right for me. I know they are mainly for smaller tanks, but I like the flexibility of the screw-in lights.

Tank Info:

72gal Bowfront 48x18x22

I was looking to keep 4 of the bulbs. Thanks for the help!!!

 

I've heard good things about the rapid par38. From what I hear their customer service is awesome also.

I beleive you will need more than 4 of any brand. I had 5 over my 3 ft 65g and it was just enough.

 

Thanks for the help.... Yea, it sounds like I will definatly get more than 4 bulbs for my tank.... Do you think the rapid LED with have enough strength to keep some SPS? And what kind of bulbs do you have on your tank? thanks!

 

Hey, im using the rapidLED par38 7 bulb fixture and i love it, i would say go with them. maybe 5 or 6 over your tank. one grows SPS easily enough over my nano.

 

I used the Orphek par38s over my 54 corner and liked them a lot. Each bulb had 12- 2 watt LEDs and it had great color. Good par and growth.

 

I keep Sps with my boost par30 so I am sure you can. Although, I would recommend getting a fixture, at least for the middle of the tank, and use the par 38 to accent that lighting. A fixture really does give you better spread of different wavelengths. Does it have to happen? No. But it will avoid wanting to upgrade in the future

 

The rapids are nice. They don't really have any color options though. They are also lower wattage (17W), so, not as much punching power. Exoctic makes some. They are more expensive, but have more choices and are more powerful (21W), but I believe only come in 40 degree optics. They will have more punch though. Aquamedic makes some, but I am not familiar with them. EC-LED also makes them. I just won one in a contest and it is really nice. It's a mix of 4 blue, 2 white and an amber LEDs. The color is a very crisp white, a touch of blue though, similar to my 14000K Phoenix halide, but with a little more pop. Probably closest to a halide I've seen from an LED though. I know a lot of people like here like the the deep water blue look from LEDs, but I think they can customize them. They are more powerful (27W) and the LEDs are clustered rather than spread out, so, better mixing. May be something to consider. I'm not sure of the price though. They definitely seem higher end.

 

they are all pretty much the same bulb, aside from the one that ecoxotic sells with the red, they will all grow sps if you have enough. i had 3 over a 40 breeder and they worked great to grow anything so i would guess 4-5 would grow coral in your tank.

 

I've got three par 30's. From boosted on my 40b. Seems to light good some dark spots behind rocks but in front its good.[/IMG]

 

Thanks everyone for your help and input!!! I have decided to go with Rapid LED. I have email them for a bulk order quote(on the website it says 5+ orders will be reduced in price, or something like that) and i think I will order 6-7. Thanks again everyone!!!;D