LED Options

I have a 90 gallon tank that I am setting up and have decided to go the LED route.

Originally I was pretty set on going with two of the Value LEDs from Reef Breeders. However, to get the drivers to have the PWM signal for my reef angel, there was a decent jump in price.

After looking at Rapid LED, it looks like their "Standard 90g Kit" is comparible (and paybe even cheaper, depending on cost for the correct driver) as Reef Breeders. Plus, since I would need moon lights either way, I would be able to just grab Rapids 4 moonlight kit and attach to the heatsinks.

However, I have no idea how to compare the fixtures. Would I get enough output out of the Rapid setup to not be limited in livestock selection? The reef breeders lights seem like I would have more individual LEDs, but I'm not sure how much that matters.

I'm definitely not scared off by the DIY aspect of the Rapid Lights, but I'm looking to get the most bang out of my buck, and to not be limited by my lighting in my livestock selection.

Advice would greatly be appriciated! Thanks!

 

I think you at look at it from two different way.

Initial cost: I would say fixture using bridgelux chip would always be " bang for the buck". (not just reefbreeder, also zetlight and also true to any type of LED using bridgelux). You are comparing 2x120w bridgelux fixtures with a single 144w CREE fixture. I think for a 144w CREE it is equal to about 200w to 220w bridgelux depend on the current running thru each fixture. Therefore for 2x the reefbreeder, you will get a bit higher performance overall.

However,

long term cost: You are running 240w fixtures compare to 144w, which means in a long term your electric bill for using bridgelux is higher. So the "bang for the buck" for longer term would always be using CREE because of high efficiency.

I think it really comes down to which is more important to you, inital cost or long term cost.

 

I know personally I can't decide between using the reefbreeders controllable one or a diy to me having the great controllability is a great plus and to get that kind of controllability I understand I'll have to spend a bit more diy and a bit more time at it so it all depends on what you like in it

 

the two lights he listed both are the dimmable Led without much control setting. (no timer, no sunrise sunset setting). I think it is a bit easier to compare

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/led-aquarium-lighting/rapidled-verse-reefbreeders-led-thread-138833.html

I have rapid on 1/2 my tank and reefbreeders on the other 1/2. The rapid system is almost exactly equal to 1/2 the rapid 90 system. IMO, they are both pretty equal. Rapids is brighter, but reefbreeders has a better spectrum and thus better color.

But yes, both will allow you to grow anything you want. You may want to look into mixing a rapid system Cree blues and whites with a bridglux system for other colors/spectrums.

 

That's what I was looking for. Sounds like I really can't go wrong either way. Thanks!