New LED Strip

Looking to add one to my aquarium. I do not want to go into a real high light category because I do not run a skimmer or fuge so am afraid high light would lead to algae issues. I also keep a lot of softies and lps where high light might burn them out on a tank that is only 18inch deep.

Currently have an aquaticlife dual bulb fixture with ATI blue+ and Giesemann powerchrome aquablue bulbs. I want to add another light that will increase the PAR and make my reef lighting comparable to that a 3 or 4 bulb fixture would create. Settled on maybe getting an LED strip that has dual dimmers for blue and white lights. Has 24 white LEDs and 16 blue LEDs for for 45 watts.

ecoxotic Panorama Pro LED Light Strip: LED Aquarium Light Fixtures

I did not know they made 1.5watt LEDs, maybe they are 2 or 3 watt LEDs that are not run 100% to help extend life? At 45 watts it is mroe than my 39watt T5HO bulbs but I know not all watts are equal, would it add beneficial light to my reef?

 

Go with a DIY fixture IMO

 

Not really an option, I do not have a canopy and jsut mount everything right onto the aquarium. a DIY would not look all that nice plus I am not very trustworthy with electrical work.
I did look at a company out of Texas that builds lights for you where your select your LEDs but I am not sure if I would know what LEDs to mix.

 

Contact Logan at RB.He will help you.

 

I contacted ecoxotic and they replied

Thank you so much for contacting Ecoxotic and showing interest in our LED products. Please find the following answers to your questions:

What kind of driver you use in these fixtures? - we use a 24V DC constant voltage driver (similar to what is used for a laptop computer)

What brand and strength LED? - these strips use Cree and Edison Opto LEDs. They are 3w LEDs which are under driven to ensure long life and also ensure they don't get too warm/hot.

So I think I may end up going that route unless something better pops up. I know of Cree, how are Edison Opto LEDs?