Reef Brite LED's

[TimH07]

So I am looking at supplementing my 6 bulb T5 fixture with some LED for shimmer effect. I tried out the aquatic life LED strip's over a tank with 4 T5's and it got completely washed out, couldn't see any shimmer. I looked up the specs and they only use 0.5 watt bulbs. No problem, I'll go find higher watt fixtures right?

After looking and looking I found that Reef Brite LED's both their strip light and their full fixtures advertise they use all 3 watt Cree LED's. This is good news to me, the higher intensity (by 6x the ones I tried) should be fantastic. After all I can get amazing shimmer with just my iphone 4s LED with the flash light app.

So I wanted to know a bit more, and if they have tested it with T5's so I emailed them. These are the responses.

thier site (which advertises "Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum performance and output, our LED strip lights produce the same amount of light as a T5 or VHO Fluorescent lamp"

ReefBrite TECH LED | ReefBrite.com

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To Reef Brite:

I am interested in supplementing my 6 bulb T5 unit with 1 tech led for the shimmer effect. I have tried lesser led strips and they all get washed out so you see no shimmer. I'm thinking about getting the all white 48" unit for maximum effect. What are the bulbs used, 3watt each? Are they Cree brand?

I saw your video of the 4 bulb t5's with the tech led, impressive, but how does it stand up to 6 bulbs? I really don't want to spend $240 to find out it has minimal effect.

-Tim

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Tim

You do use a Cree led in our fixtures. They are a 3 watt led that we underdrive at appprox. 1.5 watts.
If you feel it will not be enough light with the Tech led we do offer our XHO model which is a higher output.
The 48" Tech led has 24 leds at 36 watts The 48" XHO led has 36 leds at 54 watts.

Thank you
Joy Meadows
Reef Brite

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Thank you for the reply. Is there anyway to drive them at the full 3 watts? Any kind of power source you might be able to provide? I don't have the room for another full fixture, as I have a 6 bulb t5 system but I really want to add intense led supplement. I am really interested in this product if it can achieve its full potential.

-Tim

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Tim

I am sorry but we do not drive our leds at a full 3 watts.

Thank you
Joy Meadows

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I can't help but ask, why do you use 3 watt led's "for maximum performance" ... And then NOT maximize their performance ?!

-Tim
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Awaiting reply.

Am I missing something, do other companies only drive their LED'S at 50%?! Maybe there is a reason people don't see coral growth with alot of LED's eh?

[Reefing Madness]

Well, difference is, alot and by that I mean most use a 1w LED, not the 3w as advertised by the company of your choice. And, you can cut their lines and drop in your own 12v power adjustable power supply to make them run at their set wattage. The adjustable power supplies are capable of voltage adjustments, much like using a dimmer.

[chrisfont23]

Dude, take it from someone that has been there - 1.5 watts is plenty. And mine are dialed back almost half way. Now granted, i have mostly LPS and softies, so the range and PAR requirements are different, but you are specifically honing in on shimmer effect? If that's all you want supplement your T5 with an Ecoxotic Stunner Strip. If you are looking for some serious LEDs to grow corals, 1.5 watts will be ample. I bet they don't go 3w because the fixtures are probably a) too hot and require fans and b) too much light. My LEDs are cool to the touch and that is halfway through the day (LOL). I can imagine a 3W LED at full blast would require some sort of coolant on that heat sink.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Reefing Madness]

Depth of the tank would be a big factor.