Mars Aqua Chinese LED review (Ebay) - Page 74

Cheapreef · 12/01/2017, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagger0792

Hi all,

just wondering would a mars aqua 165w be ok for my TMC signature 600 with mainly sps?

Also how high would you hang the unit off the water surface?

Thanks.

You would want 2 for a 2' X 2' with SPS dominant, they do not have a verywide spread out of there inital footprint. I would mount them 12" off the water line.

pfan151 · 12/01/2017, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagger0792

Hi all,

just wondering would a mars aqua 165w be ok for my TMC signature 600 with mainly sps?

Also how high would you hang the unit off the water surface?

Thanks.

Better to post the dimensions of the tank than the brand. If it’s more than 24” than you will need a bigger light. I have 2 over my 36” 90g.

jagger0792 · 12/01/2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfan151

Better to post the dimensions of the tank than the brand. If it’s more than 24” than you will need a bigger light. I have 2 over my 36” 90g.

Oops sorry.

Dimensions of the TMC 600 is 60cm x 45cm x 45cm.

vinstr · 12/01/2017, 01:05 PM

I just bought 2 Mars Aqua 165w for my new 120g reef. I will be keeping SPS and LPS corals. Just wondering how much power you folks think I should keep each channel on? I currently have both the blue and white channels both at 50% power on both lights...I will slowly increase all to 75% as the corals get acclimated.

Does anyone suggest keeping one channel higher than the other or have any better ideas? Thanks in advance!

Cheapreef · 12/01/2017, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinstr

I just bought 2 Mars Aqua 165w for my new 120g reef. I will be keeping SPS and LPS corals. Just wondering how much power you folks think I should keep each channel on? I currently have both the blue and white channels both at 50% power on both lights...I will slowly increase all to 75% as the corals get acclimated.

Does anyone suggest keeping one channel higher than the other or have any better ideas? Thanks in advance!

Ramp the Blue up gradually to 100%, Whites I would not run over 50-60% on any tank due to how intense they are.

DesertReefT4r · 12/05/2017, 11:13 PM

How are the MARS LEDs doing for sps now that they been around for several years now? Looming at a new 65g build maybe and looking at 2 165w MARS for lighting. Tank will be sps.

akopley · 12/11/2017, 10:56 PM

I'm building out a custom dual sided tank with the following dimensions: 104" long 12" wide 15" high. I am considering these lights and was wondering if 5 165w or 3 300w would be best? Has anyone built out a long shallow/narrow tank like this? Any recommendations or warnings to these dimensions? I have seen small pico tanks that are amazing with very shallow and narrow dimensions...just looking to have a really long version for myself. Appreciate any and all feedback.

outy · 12/12/2017, 10:30 AM

Just be cautious of the hotspots directly underneath the lights has intense par.

That shallow I would build a diffuser

You would be able tp raise then high off the shallow tanks

akopley · 12/12/2017, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outy

Just be cautious of the hotspots directly underneath the lights has intense par.

That shallow I would build a diffuser

You would be able tp raise then high off the shallow tanks

I also wouldn't mind running them at a low intensity to avoid the fans cutting on. Might consider making the tank 20" vs. 15" tall as well. So would you suggest the 165w and maybe 4 instead of 5?

outy · 12/12/2017, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akopley

I also wouldn't mind running them at a low intensity to avoid the fans cutting on. Might consider making the tank 20" vs. 15" tall as well. So would you suggest the 165w and maybe 4 instead of 5?

They cover a 24" area but you will get shadows when going that far.

5 would be better

Cheapreef · 12/12/2017, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outy

They cover a 24" area

No they don't thye drop off pretty rapidly outisde there footprint. I tested PAR on mine anything about 2-3" outside the LED layout as basically nothing at the hieght you need to mount them at.

outy · 12/12/2017, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapreef

No they don't thye drop off pretty rapidly outisde there footprint. I tested PAR on mine anything about 2-3" outside the LED layout as basically nothing at the hieght you need to mount them at.

why cut out what I actually said? ""you will get shadows when going that far""

akopley · 12/12/2017, 04:32 PM

so if i were to be at a 15" height with a 12" width...how high off the water would you mount the lights? thinking 5 165w units to cover 104" length. Also looking for other similar long narrow and shallow room divider style tanks or suggestions on what could be bad about this setup.

outy · 12/12/2017, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akopley

what could be bad about this setup.

negative is the lack of built in separate timers for blue and white channels. and 2 required power cords instead of one.

I believe viparspectra is the same light but has built in features, 1 cord?

I run ocean revive which is similar but spread out leds and built in timers.

outy · 12/12/2017, 06:09 PM

these lights are 16" wide, so 5 evenly spaced would grow anything in your tank

I would have them 15"-20" above the water as shallow as your tank is.

I have mine 8" and in a 30" deep tank run 50% but still ramping up percentage with time.

drkphant0m2 · 12/12/2017, 07:00 PM

So I have a 75G (4ft long) and am experiencing sone shadowing with my 2x 165W marsaquas. The secondary optics it has are 60 degrees so I am thinking that that is too sharp and wanted to replace it with 90 degree lenses. What do you guys think?

Cheapreef · 12/12/2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkphant0m2

So I have a 75G (4ft long) and am experiencing sone shadowing with my 2x 165W marsaquas. The secondary optics it has are 60 degrees so I am thinking that that is too sharp and wanted to replace it with 90 degree lenses. What do you guys think?

They should be 90deg. Either way these lights put out lots of par pop the lenses off and you will have 120deg spread. If you need lower them 2-3" to up the PAR.

drkphant0m2 · 12/12/2017, 08:29 PM

I tried that but the spread was too much. The entire floor was lit unfortunately

Reefpuck · 12/14/2017, 09:17 PM

Does anyone have any before/after photos of their tanks with the lenses (or some lenses) removed? I'm curious to see the difference.

Reefpuck · 12/14/2017, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkphant0m2

I tried that but the spread was too much. The entire floor was lit unfortunately

Did you take all of them off? And do you have a canopy?

drkphant0m2 · 12/15/2017, 12:39 AM

Took them all off and no canopy. I just went ahead and order the 90 degree lenses. But there coming from China so who knows when they’ll arrive

Str8linespeed · 12/25/2017, 06:48 PM

Merry Christmas everyone.. Just a quick ??? Im going to start building the canopy for my 40B, using the 300W black box... About how high should the light be off of the water?

fishy_mcfish · 12/25/2017, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8linespeed

Merry Christmas everyone.. Just a quick ??? Im going to start building the canopy for my 40B, using the 300W black box... About how high should the light be off of the water?

I mounted mine 10” off the surface when I had my 40breeder

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spartan · 12/29/2017, 03:42 PM

I believe viparspectra is the same light but has built in features, 1 cord?

Yes.

This thread has boomed since I last looked at it almost a year ago. I went with the viparspectra and have 3 on my 180.

I run a softie tank so I cannot comment about sps growth etc, but that said these are very good for the price paid. Had no problems with the tank which was previously on 250w MH's.

DesertReefT4r · 12/29/2017, 06:43 PM

Found these and they have me interested and thougbt others might be as well. https://www.ebay.com/itm/PopularGrow...19.m1438.l2649

12/01/2017, 01:05 PM	#1829
vinstr Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murrysville, PA Posts: 468	I just bought 2 Mars Aqua 165w for my new 120g reef. I will be keeping SPS and LPS corals. Just wondering how much power you folks think I should keep each channel on? I currently have both the blue and white channels both at 50% power on both lights...I will slowly increase all to 75% as the corals get acclimated. Does anyone suggest keeping one channel higher than the other or have any better ideas? Thanks in advance! __________________ "A Righteous Man Cares for the Needs of His Animal" -Proverbs 12:10 Current Tank Info: 120g reef

12/14/2017, 09:17 PM	#1844
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Does anyone have any before/after photos of their tanks with the lenses (or some lenses) removed? I'm curious to see the difference. __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

12/29/2017, 03:42 PM	#1849
Spartan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Western New York Posts: 705	I believe viparspectra is the same light but has built in features, 1 cord? Yes. This thread has boomed since I last looked at it almost a year ago. I went with the viparspectra and have 3 on my 180. I run a softie tank so I cannot comment about sps growth etc, but that said these are very good for the price paid. Had no problems with the tank which was previously on 250w MH's. __________________ Reef since 95'. 180g, 100g sump, 55 g refuge Current Tank Info: 180g, 100g sump, 55 g refuge

12/05/2017, 11:13 PM	#1831
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	How are the MARS LEDs doing for sps now that they been around for several years now? Looming at a new 65g build maybe and looking at 2 165w MARS for lighting. Tank will be sps.

12/11/2017, 10:56 PM	#1832
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	I'm building out a custom dual sided tank with the following dimensions: 104" long 12" wide 15" high. I am considering these lights and was wondering if 5 165w or 3 300w would be best? Has anyone built out a long shallow/narrow tank like this? Any recommendations or warnings to these dimensions? I have seen small pico tanks that are amazing with very shallow and narrow dimensions...just looking to have a really long version for myself. Appreciate any and all feedback.

12/12/2017, 10:30 AM	#1833
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	Just be cautious of the hotspots directly underneath the lights has intense par. That shallow I would build a diffuser You would be able tp raise then high off the shallow tanks

12/12/2017, 04:32 PM	#1838
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	so if i were to be at a 15" height with a 12" width...how high off the water would you mount the lights? thinking 5 165w units to cover 104" length. Also looking for other similar long narrow and shallow room divider style tanks or suggestions on what could be bad about this setup.

12/12/2017, 06:09 PM	#1840
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	these lights are 16" wide, so 5 evenly spaced would grow anything in your tank I would have them 15"-20" above the water as shallow as your tank is. I have mine 8" and in a 30" deep tank run 50% but still ramping up percentage with time.

12/12/2017, 07:00 PM	#1841
drkphant0m2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3	So I have a 75G (4ft long) and am experiencing sone shadowing with my 2x 165W marsaquas. The secondary optics it has are 60 degrees so I am thinking that that is too sharp and wanted to replace it with 90 degree lenses. What do you guys think?

12/12/2017, 08:29 PM	#1843
drkphant0m2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3	I tried that but the spread was too much. The entire floor was lit unfortunately

12/15/2017, 12:39 AM	#1846
drkphant0m2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 3	Took them all off and no canopy. I just went ahead and order the 90 degree lenses. But there coming from China so who knows when they’ll arrive

12/25/2017, 06:48 PM	#1847
Str8linespeed Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Oakdale, MN Posts: 461	Merry Christmas everyone.. Just a quick ??? Im going to start building the canopy for my 40B, using the 300W black box... About how high should the light be off of the water?