Some food for thought... [edited for easy reading 14.03.2017]
In some discussion's with Nuno we thought would be nice to have some data about LED's.
Remember that this data is not 100% scientific, but we tried to keep the same test conditions for all fixtures. In the worst scenario, the difference between light's give us some clues about they behavior. It was funny do discuss abut light in the end, my conclusion is that all fixtures are good, it depends on what you trying to achieve! The money is also important, usually you get what you paid for...
I add some coments which are my personal thoughts/feelings about the products, be free to ignore or disagree with them.
E27 - STANDARD LED LAMP . 10W
Coments:
-produces a lot of heat, good surface for dissipation is recommended
-4000ºK have lower PAR value (as expected), maybe good for mixing if you like warmer colors
- be very careful, it's a 230v lamp, even after the driver the voltage rate is high!
- priced around 2.5€
REGULAR LED FLOOD . 10W
Coments:
-very low heat, very safe to use 'near' water, led uses 12V current
-easy to install, no need extra dissipation surface
- easy to divide the 230V driver for safer place
- priced around 8€
GU10 - STANDARD LED LAMP . 6W
Coments:
-produces a lot of heat, good surface for dissipation is recommended
-4000ºK have lower PAR value (as expected), maybe good for mixing if you like warmer colors
-be very careful, it's a 230v lamp, even after the driver the voltage rate is high!
-version with lens is more expensive but can be installed at higher distance...
IKEA LED JANSJO . 2W
Comets:
- very safe, seen used in wabi's, just for fun!
- no need to make fixture, is buy and install! You can even choose the color!
- priced 10€
Beamswork HiLumen - Planted Version . 33W
Coments:
- this is a true aquarium fixture, i've used with good results
- the uniformity along the fixture is very good and consistent
- very low heat, large surface for dissipation
- uses 12v after the driver, very safe
CHIHIROS SERIE A . 65W
Coments:
- this is a powerful unit for the price, very simple with lots of light
- I prefer the alternative support's in that can be adjusted in height
- dimmer is very useful and well steeped
- In full power the unit stays cool
Chihiros RGB
Coments:
- Watts were measured with a power meter, as you can see is not very accurate... I would say the light is about 40W (not 50W as claimed).
- The color is very nice, well balanced, but slightly more power to the blues.
- Diffuser is not well fitted and deforms to wave form. Doesn't affect light diffusion, but... (could be better).
- Heats much more than other Chihiros (Serie A), at max power (40W in 57cm).
- Manual dimmer works perfectly and is calibrated!
ODYSSEA VIVAGROW 60
Coments:
- this is a cheap unit, perfect for fish keeping or lowtech
- wireless comand is an extra to play with
ZETHLIGHT
Coments:
- I expected a bit more from this one...
- well build, with options to connect to controller
- a little bit dated, more power would be very nice!
Coments:
- this 2 units make Zethlight name to the top!
- top construction and configuration with lots of power to grow everything
- I was very surprised with QMaven, you can control power, color and dimmer
DICI
Coments:
- old school, very simple, very classic, a fixture that will last a life
- If you love HQI this is a very good option
TWINSTAR
Coments:
- I was surprised with the power output of these TS
- The design is beautiful, well build, feels solid
- A dimmer would be a great add to the pack
- Too much blue for my taste but works fine with fish
- The diffuser kill's the shimmering effect, but blend's nicely the colors
- Acrylic leg's turn's the fixture for specific measure, could be more flexible for non standard tanks
WAS-MAS
Coments:
- Simple, powerful and effective.
- For high tech lovers, this will take plants to extreme
- Acrylic stand flexible can adapt to different tanks, non standard, well done
- For ADA style lovers a good, cheaper yet powerful option
- I would dream with a dimmer...
ADA
Coments:
- there's no much to say
- You love it or not!
Coments:
- One of the lights of the moment, you have to see it to believe!
- As ADA products, very simple working process with no options, just on and off
- The colors are not well reproduce in photo, the life rendition is amazing
- The color balance (RGB) is balanced with the same intensity for each channel
- The shimmering is absent due to diffuser, look's less bright than other ADA led's, but...
- But when you measure the light is all there! very powerfull
- The fixture stays very cool
- The construction is the best you can expect, and is not cheap to buy it!
- Like other ADA stuff, you love or not! I would took one with me if €€€
All measures took in darkness, open space to avoid reflections, except when quoted.
Always took reading in the axis of light (the best value), except when quoted.
Sensor used was Apogee SQ-120* without the LED correction factor (direct measures).
* Apogee Underwater factor correction 1.08
** Using 'Underwater-PAR-Calculator' made by apogee.
*** Correction factor for LED (when compared with T5) CW -4,2% ; NW -6,1%; WW -9,9% (not applied to this test)
In some discussion's with Nuno we thought would be nice to have some data about LED's.
Remember that this data is not 100% scientific, but we tried to keep the same test conditions for all fixtures. In the worst scenario, the difference between light's give us some clues about they behavior. It was funny do discuss abut light in the end, my conclusion is that all fixtures are good, it depends on what you trying to achieve! The money is also important, usually you get what you paid for...
I add some coments which are my personal thoughts/feelings about the products, be free to ignore or disagree with them.
E27 - STANDARD LED LAMP . 10W
Coments:
-produces a lot of heat, good surface for dissipation is recommended
-4000ºK have lower PAR value (as expected), maybe good for mixing if you like warmer colors
- be very careful, it's a 230v lamp, even after the driver the voltage rate is high!
- priced around 2.5€
REGULAR LED FLOOD . 10W
Coments:
-very low heat, very safe to use 'near' water, led uses 12V current
-easy to install, no need extra dissipation surface
- easy to divide the 230V driver for safer place
- priced around 8€
GU10 - STANDARD LED LAMP . 6W
Coments:
-produces a lot of heat, good surface for dissipation is recommended
-4000ºK have lower PAR value (as expected), maybe good for mixing if you like warmer colors
-be very careful, it's a 230v lamp, even after the driver the voltage rate is high!
-version with lens is more expensive but can be installed at higher distance...
IKEA LED JANSJO . 2W
Comets:
- very safe, seen used in wabi's, just for fun!
- no need to make fixture, is buy and install! You can even choose the color!
- priced 10€
Beamswork HiLumen - Planted Version . 33W
Coments:
- this is a true aquarium fixture, i've used with good results
- the uniformity along the fixture is very good and consistent
- very low heat, large surface for dissipation
- uses 12v after the driver, very safe
CHIHIROS SERIE A . 65W
Coments:
- this is a powerful unit for the price, very simple with lots of light
- I prefer the alternative support's in that can be adjusted in height
- dimmer is very useful and well steeped
- In full power the unit stays cool
Chihiros RGB
Coments:
- Watts were measured with a power meter, as you can see is not very accurate... I would say the light is about 40W (not 50W as claimed).
- The color is very nice, well balanced, but slightly more power to the blues.
- Diffuser is not well fitted and deforms to wave form. Doesn't affect light diffusion, but... (could be better).
- Heats much more than other Chihiros (Serie A), at max power (40W in 57cm).
- Manual dimmer works perfectly and is calibrated!
ODYSSEA VIVAGROW 60
Coments:
- this is a cheap unit, perfect for fish keeping or lowtech
- wireless comand is an extra to play with
ZETHLIGHT
Coments:
- I expected a bit more from this one...
- well build, with options to connect to controller
- a little bit dated, more power would be very nice!
Coments:
- this 2 units make Zethlight name to the top!
- top construction and configuration with lots of power to grow everything
- I was very surprised with QMaven, you can control power, color and dimmer
DICI
Coments:
- old school, very simple, very classic, a fixture that will last a life
- If you love HQI this is a very good option
TWINSTAR
Coments:
- I was surprised with the power output of these TS
- The design is beautiful, well build, feels solid
- A dimmer would be a great add to the pack
- Too much blue for my taste but works fine with fish
- The diffuser kill's the shimmering effect, but blend's nicely the colors
- Acrylic leg's turn's the fixture for specific measure, could be more flexible for non standard tanks
WAS-MAS
Coments:
- Simple, powerful and effective.
- For high tech lovers, this will take plants to extreme
- Acrylic stand flexible can adapt to different tanks, non standard, well done
- For ADA style lovers a good, cheaper yet powerful option
- I would dream with a dimmer...
ADA
Coments:
- there's no much to say
- You love it or not!
Coments:
- One of the lights of the moment, you have to see it to believe!
- As ADA products, very simple working process with no options, just on and off
- The colors are not well reproduce in photo, the life rendition is amazing
- The color balance (RGB) is balanced with the same intensity for each channel
- The shimmering is absent due to diffuser, look's less bright than other ADA led's, but...
- But when you measure the light is all there! very powerfull
- The fixture stays very cool
- The construction is the best you can expect, and is not cheap to buy it!
- Like other ADA stuff, you love or not! I would took one with me if €€€
All measures took in darkness, open space to avoid reflections, except when quoted.
Always took reading in the axis of light (the best value), except when quoted.
Sensor used was Apogee SQ-120* without the LED correction factor (direct measures).
* Apogee Underwater factor correction 1.08
** Using 'Underwater-PAR-Calculator' made by apogee.
*** Correction factor for LED (when compared with T5) CW -4,2% ; NW -6,1%; WW -9,9% (not applied to this test)
Last edited:
