New Chinese lights (Scosi)

[bhazard451]

I ran across this company on Alibaba today. I've used Evergrow/Reefbreeders lights for the past year, and love them. I'm successfully growing SPS, LPS, and softies with no color loss despite less than stellar water quality due to slight overstocking. (Max Reef Aquatics just has too good of a sale sometimes). Chinese leds work (some do at least).

This Sosci company has quite a few interesting lights. They have a Razor knockoff, an 80 led fixture that's 36" long, and a led unit with T5s kind of like the ATI powermodule. I haven't seen a programmable led/t5 chinese light before, so this is interesting. It also happens to be around $275 shipped.

4 individual channels, custom led layouts available, tank mount and hanging kit, remote controller, 9 time points with dimming, Cree option available, and the real selling point... they are cheaper than Evergrow too.

http://sosciled.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-218491449/New_Product.html

Who else wants to give these a shot and possibly be ahead of the curve in chinese leds? I'm considering the 80 led unit in a custom layout myself. Looks to be under $400 shipped.

 

[cmantis]

I have seen these on there before. Not sure I like the design of them with the air holes as I am thinking might be a way for water to get in there but they do look interesting. I am kind of pissed at Evergrow since Sunny left.

 

[STHILL]

The t5/led unit is very interesting ...

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

 

[bhazard451]

The Razor knockoff doesn't look like a good fit for my tank, but I'm also debating running the led/t5 unit on one side of my tank to see if it grows/colors better. No other unit aside from the Razor comes with a tank mount like that (although i'll never use it), which could be a big benefit for some people.

The unknowns are customer service, reliability, and performance. These are huge unknowns, but Evergrow was once unknown too. Now everyone uses them. Not sure what happened with Sunny, but Sam is still there.

I created my own custom layout with violets and reds on their own channel. I'm close to pulling the trigger on the 80 led 36" one.

 

[tomjof]

I love the evergrow lights. Best $200 I have ever spent.

 

[iTzJu]

indeed.. that t5/led fixture looks promising.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Reefs

 

[bhazard451]

Although the T5's on that unit probably don't dim, it is basically the ATI LED powermodule, with a price of $275 compared to $1,000+ with very similar specs.

3 of those on my 125 would be outstanding, but I switched to leds to not have to deal with bulb changes. This may be the best growth/color option however.

So many choices. I love the multiple affordable options available in leds and pumps lately. I just don't have the funds or time to test them all

 

[STHILL]

$275 for what size the 24"?

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

 

[annanymous]

Has anyone took a chance anf gottent the T5/LED combo? I would love to know as I think this would be perfect for my budget...(plz include any customizations you opted for)

 

[bhazard451]

$275 for what size the 24"?

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

Yeah, the 22"-24 inch units. ~$375 for the 36" 80 led, non T5 unit.

 

[STHILL]

The layout they told me could be like this
Ch1 - whites
Ch2- blues
Ch3- red green purple
Ch4 - moon lights
So the t5 are probably just on and off

 

[annanymous]

View attachment 135812

The layout they told me could be like this
Ch1 - whites
Ch2- blues
Ch3- red green purple
Ch4 - moon lights
So the t5 are probably just on and off

Hell, for that price even ON/OFF T5s is a great option. Did they give you any quotes? I emailed them but still waiting for a response

 

[STHILL]

They said 275 shipped

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

 

[bhazard451]

I'm still trying to work on a layout that can work on all 4 channels and keep a proper color ratio. The default leds just won't cut it.

I won't use Cree, because no violets are available for it. Green is worthless, and Cyan isn't available.

Trying to get close to this for Bridgelux:

20 Neutral Whites (4500k)
4 Red 660nm
12 Violet 420nm
40 Royal Blue 450nm
4 Blue 480nm

I would have liked violet and red on separate channels, but it doesn't seem like it can be done with this ratio for the 80 led unit. You could basically cut this in half for the 36 led units. Still working on it.

Since it is a newer company, I have no idea how strong the individual led bins are, and this ratio could look horrible and need tweaking.

 

[STHILL]

Im just wondering if this light will be enough for a 30x30x24 cube

 

[bhazard451]

It'll be plenty if you go with the T5/Led unit. 90 degree optics if you want to hang it, 120 degree optics if you use the tank mount. I also personally like 120 degree optics on greens or reds to reduce spotlighting.

 

[annanymous]

I'm still trying to work on a layout that can work on all 4 channels and keep a proper color ratio. The default leds just won't cut it.

I won't use Cree, because no violets are available for it. Green is worthless, and Cyan isn't available.

Trying to get close to this for Bridgelux:

20 Neutral Whites (4500k)
4 Red 660nm
12 Violet 420nm
40 Royal Blue 450nm
4 Blue 480nm

I would have liked violet and red on separate channels, but it doesn't seem like it can be done with this ratio for the 80 led unit. You could basically cut this in half for the 36 led units. Still working on it.

Since it is a newer company, I have no idea how strong the individual led bins are, and this ratio could look horrible and need tweaking.

Can you keep me posted about your customization. Im thinking of getting 2 24" lights but dont know anything about LED color combinations as was planning to go with either fathom or reefbreeders fixtures (standard colors).
BTW the LED light combination you working on: do you take into consideration what bulbs you'll be using for T5, or it doesnt matter? I hate very blue or very crispy blue/white tank light.

 

[bhazard451]

Can you keep me posted about your customization. Im thinking of getting 2 24" lights but dont know anything about LED color combinations as was planning to go with either fathom or reefbreeders fixtures (standard colors).
BTW the LED light combination you working on: do you take into consideration what bulbs you'll be using for T5, or it doesnt matter? I hate very blue or very crispy blue/white tank light.

I'm not very experience with T5, so I would just keep swapping until I found a combo I liked. Everyone has their preferences.

The Reefbreeders (Evergrow) color combo is nearly perfect. It would be less of a gamble to go with that instead of these. Those are proven reliable and perform very well. Plus you get a US warranty from them, and can swap leds with some soldering. It's the highest performing, most modifiable led fixture for the price. I have two of their 32" fixtures over my 125.

 

[annanymous]

My hope was to have the T5/LED combo since everyone always raves about the color and growth rates under T5s. And because all commenrcially available T5/LED combos are well over a $1000, this weemed like a great deal.

Are you saying it will not be possible to replicate the reefbreeders color layout (approximately) or is the concern more for the power ad output of the fixture inteslf since unknown manufacturer?

thanks, Im still just getting the hang of LEDs and colors and all that :eek1:

 

[iliriano]

Tagging alone...need light