Which LED fixtures should I get
 

So my new in wall tank is up and rdy just missing lights. I'm debating between these 2 fixtures and I would need 2 lights for my 5ft mixed reef. Mainly I'm going to have just sps and LPS n a few zoas. Both lights are full spectrum. One is 120 deg optics and other is 90deg optics. Don't know of the optic range would matter or not

First is these from ebay

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBa...113#&panel1-11

And then there's these from reef radiance

http://reefradiance.com/dm-165m.html

They are double the price of the ebay ones and using same LEDs

They look similar to the Evergrow fixtures Reef Supply carries. I had the 2080 version. Very nice light.

Evergrow are the best cheap leds money can buy most others are not used enough for people to give a good review

I've read that the evergrows r pretty much same as the ebay ones and it's just double the price because it's from a retailer and eBay is from the supplier

Not really the same, E-bay ones "dimmable" Evergrow ones "programmable" there is a difference.

Isn't being programmable to ramp up and down just for aesthetics n not so much for growth/color?

Lights
 

The ebay lights can be programable too, and they are almost exactly the same. If you aren't worried about sunrise sunset 80% here 20% there there's nothing wrong with the ebay lights. One thing make sure the leds are rebel or bridgelux

From what I understand with the units that have dimmer knobs is you have one intensity all day and night don't you? And then they go off. I enjoy tinkering with the programming feature on the Evergrow from time to time, it's digital so you know exactly what percent you're at for each channel. at 1130 pm the lights are programmed so just the blues and UVs are on so everything fluorescent glows and my house isn't flooded with intense tank lighting anymore. At midnight the moonlights come on and it's just subtle. Same thing in the morning, slow ramp up

The sun changes intenesity on corals throughout the day, so why not have lights that do the same.... If price is a factor then that looks like a pretty big difference! So guess just depends on how much you'd like to spend.

Hmm I guess I'll just fork over the few extra bills n get the programmable then if it does promote better coral color n growth. Was thinking y pay more if not needed. Might as well now since I already spent so much on my new in wall system. For the ever grow only the IT series can be programmed right? Do I need anything else to program them like apex or is there wifi app n such?

You will get a lot of color separation with those fixtures. Personally, I wouldn't run "cheap" LEDs. I would prefer to run T5s. Even AI Sols compared to AI Hydra are just no comparison (in long-term coral color). I have seen the eBay ones over a tank and was not impressed.