What's the better buy in moonlights?

[dragon79]

Okay:

I've read the post by phischy on moonlights but I want to know a bit more.

I've seen the following:

1.) Coralife 3/4 light, <--less expensive, *guessing it puts out less than 1 watt*

2.)Coralife 1 watt led. <--more expensive, but i imagine puts out more power

I found that at this website

http://captivereefs.com/captivereefs/de ... tID=lt-mn#


Next I found one that my bro mentioned about, so I researched and found that marinedepot.com has this R2 Evolution 5 LED system lightings for 29.00

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lig ... sp?CartId=

That one looks like the ultimate one to get.

I've also seen the other competitors
sells the two led and also a three led, but have no clue how bright they would be. I think they made by newtek or something like that.

I'm guessing for moonlights the one to go with would be the R2's unless somebody thinks there is one better. (at least that's good for a 12 gallon jbj nanocube)

As for a pico sized tank of 1.5, I'm guessing the 1 watt one by coral life would look good.

Well let me know peeps, I need opinions and or experience if possible if you own any of these products. Thanks!

 

[Phischy]

The bar one that lights up to 3' (I think I linked to something similar) will be alot of light for a nano, the rest are spotlights, so you'll probably have to go through trial and error. I've got 1 watt units in a 40gal, so you'd probably want to go with 3/4 but it'd have to be mounted high in the canopy to give it proper dispersal, else you'll end up with a pinpoint spot. The other one would be over powering.

 

[incysor]

I don't know about your LFS situation, but several of the stores here carry both the 3/4w, and 1w lights. If one of your LFS carries them and you can go in during a slow period maybe they'd put a one of each on a small tank so you could see what you'd prefer. I think either one would probably be enough for a nanocube, but then again neither could be quite enough light for the effect you're after. I think the marinedepot one is a great deal for the money, but it may be overkill, and there's no way for you to shut down some of the lights....Although a little bit of black electrical tape would take care of it if it's too bright.

B

 

[dragon79]

incysor

I don't know about your LFS situation, but several of the stores here carry both the 3/4w, and 1w lights. If one of your LFS carries them and you can go in during a slow period maybe they'd put a one of each on a small tank so you could see what you'd prefer. I think either one would probably be enough for a nanocube, but then again neither could be quite enough light for the effect you're after. I think the marinedepot one is a great deal for the money, but it may be overkill, and there's no way for you to shut down some of the lights....Although a little bit of black electrical tape would take care of it if it's too bright.

B

Incysor: I saw the setup of the r2 evolution lighting on a jbj nanocube deluxe by a member named "larnie" from nano-reef.com

Here's a link

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthr ... ght=larnie

It doesn't look too bad, and I'm sure if he thought it was over kill he wouldn't of picked them up. Looks like he's a lighting enthusiast as he's modded the lights to 92 watts. Pretty nice setup he has, I like how the user is simulating day and night.

 

[incysor]

Sweet. That looks really good, and it's easy. It still doesn't have lot of flexibility, but the ease of installation kinda balances that out. I don't have my moonlights on yet. The club did a DIY moonlight meeting, and I got my kits, but I didn't have my canopies ready yet, so I still haven't set them up. They're gonna get put together in the next month or so. The DIY projects lack the easy installation, but you have the chance to put more/less leds in, and direct them how you like.

B

 

[Phischy]

I stand corrected, that r2 moonlight looks really good, I may just have to get one for my tank! I keep adding powersources and I think I may have to redo my powersetup in my stand, I need another strip for more stuff!

 

[dragon79]

another cool thing i saw

I also saw DIY moonlighting done by user: sinistrad

Very nicely done, fully adjustable to what you want it to be, by adjusting the voltage, if you can learn how he did it (he has instructions on site) then you can have the same thing going on in your tank as well. As for me, I'm content with how the r2's look, and for the price at marinedepot, it's a real deal!

 

[Phischy]

One of the moonlights I bought is already going out! My recipt calls them "Single Blue Moon Glow", not sure if that's what they're actually called but I say they're not worth it if one goes out after 2 months. I may get that light bar instead. What a gyp!

 

[Trogdor]

you can build one for like $10.

 

[mikeguerrero]

I have a coralife 3/4 moonlighit and it's strong and hasn't gone out. I've been using it for 4 months now.

You might take a look at those. They run 29.99 but are worth it if they last longer than replacing every 2 months.

Mike

 

[Phischy]

I'm going to go with the R2 moonlight, I liked those in the beginning but didn't know what I was doing. I only paid 15 for it and I'm goign to send it back to the manufacture with a copy of my recipt. I don't expect anything but they will know their product bombed out after two months.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Which moonlight are you sending back? R2 or another?

Mike

 

[incysor]

For what it's worth, most LEDs are rated for over 10yrs. If they're going out after a couple months there's something seriously wrong with the product.

B

 

[Phischy]

Yup, that's why it's going back and I'm going to get an R2. The one I had was a single LED 1w. In fact, I may send both of them back just to show I don't like crappy products even though the 2nd one is ru nning fine.

 

[dragon79]

I just got...

I got a 1 watt Coralife Blue Moonlight, 39.99, same price as 3/4 moonlight but better. It was meant for my pico, but currently using on my girls's jbj, believe it or not it's illuminating her entire tank. We're using the suction cups and angling, (no mounting). Very neat. I sent pics to my bro before I left Vegas, so I wonder if he posted them up for me....

 

[Trogdor]

Re: I just got...

I got a 1 watt Coralife Blue Moonlight, 39.99, same price as 3/4 moonlight but better. It was meant for my pico, but currently using on my girls's jbj, believe it or not it's illuminating her entire tank. We're using the suction cups and angling, (no mounting). Very neat. I sent pics to my bro before I left Vegas, so I wonder if he posted them up for me....

You guys are seriously paying $40 for moonlights? What a rip off. LED's run less than $.50 ea and can easily be put together for very very little effort.

 

[incysor]

Yes, but some people are either intimidated by DIY, (especially when it comes to electricity), or just don't enjoy it, so paying for a completed, clean unit is worth the extra money. I like some DIY projects, others I'd just as soon pay someone else to deal with it.

B