View Full Version : Lighting/ LED Sunbrite's new $249 LED Fixture!
Well... Sunbrite released a new lighting product which at $249 makes LEDs affordable to everyone. It is called the Slimline and looks like a slimmed-down AI. It kicks tons of PAR from all reports.
The just announced it last week; Last nite a sample came via our USPS friends and it looks sweet. Since I am one of their "Super Users" they let me try stuff out. Now I need a tank to test it on! Maybe I'll use my frag swap setup in the sort term.
BIG tanks, like anything wider than 24", the T10 tubes are still more cost effective. But for anything else, this looks like a real killer. It ends the need to do DIY stuff or paying $2000 to $3500 to light a reef with LEDs.
Pics here: SUNBRITE LIGHTING SYSTEMS INC (http://www.sunbritelighting.com/)
Well, I have set up the unit on an old 15g just to get a feel for what it can do. It is pretty sweet! It comes nicely packaged and the build quality seems great. It has 12 leds, all 3 are watt Cree XPG. It comes with a remote control which allows user adjustment of color temp to a number of presets: 16k, 12k, 22k, 6.5k, blue, or moonlight. It also allows custom settings.
I've used the accompanied mounting hardware on the 15g, but you don't have to use the mount... It easily detaches in about 30 seconds by loosening some thick Allen bolts. If you want to hang it, that seems like it would be an easy task as the unit is quite lightweight. They are supposed to offer a hanging kit but a DIY solution would be an easy task.
Bella127
03-05-2011, 08:35 PM
Especially having the Cree 3w bulbs this has caught my eye . Thanks for sharing! I wonder if 1 fixture would suffice my 24x24 seeing that they are 13x7
Sent from my couch
I think it would work well for that size! You are welcome to come see one.
evilc66
03-07-2011, 09:50 AM
I'm going to be seeing one this weekend when I head out to Colorado for Reefstock. Neat design, and great price, but I feel the optics are too tight.
evilc66
03-07-2011, 01:29 PM
That is the case for the most part. With the limited coverage area of LEDs, it's hard making a fixture to be the "jack of all trades". DIY lets you put the LEDs where you want, for the coverage you want. Not everyone enjoys building them like us though ;)
Heck, I damn near electrocute myself with simple strings of Christmas lights. I don't want to even try any DIY! And I know there's a lot of people who should leave such work to folks who know what they are doing. Based upon the amount of reef fires I've seen over the years, shoddy work can be costly.
philosophish
03-14-2011, 08:30 PM
PJ,
Any updates? The light looks perfect for a shallow nano I have in mind. Can the whites and blues be dimmed in 10% increments?
Yep! I just set up a small tank yesterday. This light is really nice. You are welcome to come see the setup!!
steve&mari
03-14-2011, 10:34 PM
I agree don't look like it spreads the light enough to cover the rock you have to do more demanding light corals. Looks like you could do few things with the center of rock n do suncorals and such. Maybe I'm wrong ,nice looking light n rock set up.
Steve
Remember, this tank is only 10 inches deep! It really doesn't give the optics a chance to work and spread out the light. Look at the pics below, which also show all the preset light color temps (6.5km 12k, 16k, 22k, actinic only, and moonlight).
Cycling through the color modes of the Slimline LED reef light (http://reefbuilders.com/2011/02/14/slimline-led-reef-light/)
whitetiger61
03-15-2011, 09:08 AM
wow that would melt corals in my little pico tank..but i like the mounting feature..
Rick
Kraylen
03-16-2011, 10:24 AM
Sunbrite ftl...not a fan.
Well there are two versions. This one is designed for a 20x20 area. The tank in my photo is 25" long so it is pushing it. But for $249 each, high par numbers, Cree LEDs, and no heat it's a great deal.
Their 2nd model is the slimline S. Designed for a 24x24 area, 18 Cree LEDs, and built in timer. Sweet for $350.
Kraylan: not a fan? Have you seen a tank with the 2nd gen or high par t10 tubes? Ask anyone who has seen my tank in the year -- with rapid sps growth - and tell me they don't impress! :-)
bluwc
03-17-2011, 10:55 AM
Pat
I agree, I don't think the slimline will give you enough coverage for a 24x24 cube. It doesn't look like it has good enough optics to disburse the light. That model looks like it would only would work for a nano or something. My cube is being built and it's a 25x25x12 and should be done in two weeks btw.
You mention the slimline S, is Tim going to be sending you this model as well to test/show for him? I'd still like to see the set up here sooner or later.
Troy
Correct, this one is for just a 20x20. The S model covers a 24x24. I'll see if he can send me one.... looks like it is 30 days away.
evilc66
03-17-2011, 01:57 PM
The price, PAR, and area coverage don't seem to jive well together. For the price, a lot of people are going to look at this fixture for nanos, but the PAR levels are too high for the average nano tank. The coverage seems really limited, and not well suited for what they are targeting the fixture towards. They should widen the lens angle, lose a little PAR, and increase the coverage area to something that is a little more practical to their target audience. I would have talked to Tim about this at Reefstock, but the two of us were swamped.
If these cover a 24x24 area... would three of them work for a 180? 72x24x24? or is it just a pipe dream?
Yes, that is what I understand!!
Well, send me a link. I have some shopping to do!
I'll have Santa make a summer trip and get one for everyone. :-)
Actually, I want to find a 24x24 tank somewhere and set one up with the Slimline S. The bigger spread will be nice, especially if I mount it better than what is seen in the crooked hack job in my photos for this tank.
Another thing that makes that model cool: The built-in timer function will cycle it from moonlights to actinic to full lights and down back to moonlights, which I think is pretty sweet.
Well, I'm psyched about trying these out!!!
I got a call from Sunbrite today. Based upon e-mails he's received from folks here about the Slimline S, he is sending me one of the prototypes for a few days. There's only two in existence, and one will be hanging around here! We'll get a chance to run it thru its paces and test it out next week.
I have also been playing with the standard slimline. I think the limitation to getting a good spread is the bracket.... it doesn't center over this tank very well, and it could be a problem for other tanks too. I've held it in different positions and the spread is much better than what you see in the photos.
I am going to try a DIY effort and suspend it tomorrow using some hanging line or whatever I can find at Home depot. Suggestions welcome! It weighs less than a pound so it should be easy to rig something.
There is no way to suspend them currently?
A hanging kit is forthcoming from what I understand. I went to home depot and grabbed some hooks and wire... Should be able to rig it up tonite.
I was thinkin' some aluminum angle pieces to make a cradle for it. Then suspend the cradle with adjustable turnbuckles... at least that would work for me since I'm planning a canopy suspension.
I like that idea! I suspended the fixture last night with some Home Depot parts. I'll post a pic later. the tank ends are still a bit dark, but that tank is 25 inches wide. The base Slimline is only supposed to handle a space 20 inches wide.
Heidi
03-21-2011, 10:08 PM
Does Sunbright have anything that is made to fit over a LARGE cube (mine is 36x36)? I have been doing some reading on LEDs cause this is a tough tank size to light the way I would in-vision it. I am strongly leaning toward DIY (although it seems scary to me) Because no one seems to make anything for large square tanks.
Heidi
Yes.... the slimlines would struggle with anything over 24 width. The T10 tubes are a better solution for you. VERY bright, look great, many colors, cost effective...
philosophish
03-22-2011, 02:25 AM
PJ,
From what I have read, the S line will have 12 white and only 6 blue. Im sure this will be a major deterrent for anyone that wants a 12k + look. Luckily it is still in its development stages.
Can you please pass along that they should consider a "marine" or "reef" version that has 12 blue and only 6 white leds?
I would prefer to turn down the blues just a little to get the color I want rather that having to dial down the whites so much that the par suffers greatly. They already need to be dialed down with the 6 to 6 led ratio. Adding another 6 white leds is just counterproductive.
Thanks
I'll be able to confirm this on Friday. PJR may have his already though.
PJ,
From what I have read, the S line will have 12 white and only 6 blue. Im sure this will be a major deterrent for anyone that wants a 12k + look. Luckily it is still in its development stages.
Can you please pass along that they should consider a "marine" or "reef" version that has 12 blue and only 6 white leds?
I would prefer to turn down the blues just a little to get the color I want rather that having to dial down the whites so much that the par suffers greatly. They already need to be dialed down with the 6 to 6 led ratio. Adding another 6 white leds is just counterproductive.
Thanks
I did learn something else new -- the production units will use 80* optics. The demo units have 60* optics. That will help the spread quite a bit.
regarding the LED mix on the S model: I will ask the question!
Man you guys have a zillion questions! I just like to play with the new gear... but once these start flowing into the US, maybe I can hit him up for a sponsorship.
bluwc
03-22-2011, 08:15 PM
Hey Pat,
I am having my 24x24x12 cube built. It should be done next week if you want to try it out on mine
Troy
dlhirst
03-22-2011, 08:59 PM
I have been thinking of doing some Kitbashing to my Red Sea Max using LEDs. Is there a good thread or tutorial to read about LEDs? It seems that the old "watts per gallon" stanswer no longer applies. I am wondering what else I need to relearn?
I took a pic of the slimline suspended over the tank a few days ago. Better spread! Even better news -- the units will be moving to 80 degree optics, which will really help too!!
The Slimline S arrived today! The black finish is really nice. Have not hooked it up yet, but the spacing of the LEDs will provide a much wider spread. Production optics are moving to 80 degree for this unit too.
More to come...
P.S. Tank in pic is 25" wide. The smaller Light is designed for tanks only 20" wide.
bluwc
03-28-2011, 06:17 PM
I'm interested in seeing that S model. My tank should be in this week and will have to get things around here soon. Do you have a 24x24 to set it up on? Will the S have the option/hardware to hang it?
Even with the lights suspended on the slimline, it looks better than before but it still doesn't look like it's hitting the sides enough.
jimsflies
03-28-2011, 08:09 PM
are these dimmable?
Bluwc, yep, the 25 wide tank really pushes the limitis of the base slimline. i think the 80* optics will help. Maybe I can get some in and switch them out. We'll see.
Jim, the Slimline is dimable via setting with the remote control. I am not sure about the S model.
I have played with the S just a bit tonight and it is VERY bright and the spread is much wider. Even with the 60* optics, it covers this 25" wide tank without a problem. Given that it is pre-production, all the programming goodies are not included yet.
bluwc
03-28-2011, 08:39 PM
Is the S coming with different optic options other than the 60? And I too would be interested in knowing if you would be able to dim it
The S will be only 80* optics. And it will have an built-in timer that brings it up in the am from moonlights, ramps up to full power, then cycles and dims back town all the way to moonlights.
danbmx
04-06-2011, 01:19 PM
Any updates?
I've been playing with the S model. Dang it is bright! It's coverage is wide -- it easily covered that 25" wide tank. I will have the S under a meter for some testing next weekend.
The standard Slimline will be getting upgraded to include the timer as well as 80* optics.
And both are going to get a mix of 470 and 440 actinic LEDs instead of just 470.
The dimming and remote control remain for both models.
And the black finish is VERY nice!
danbmx
04-08-2011, 09:21 PM
I can't wait for the new models to come out. I am def. going to buy a few. Probably 2 s and 2 regular
Did some PAR testing today.... sitting about 300 about 12 inches under the water (mid tank). Puts out as much light as my six-wide T10 bulbs, which grows every old thing under the sun.
Those seem like respectable numbers. I'm still wondering what my current setup is pushing though. (T5s)
John, your system has enough PAR to toast bread and fry eggs! :)
The latest specs for the units are available. The S is now in production and will arrive shortly.
The base Slimline is 7 x Cree XPG white, and now with two types of blue actinics: 3 x 440nm, 2 x 470nm. The "S" is 18 LEDs, 10 x white, 4 x 440 and 4 x 470. All LEDs are spread out more even throughout the panel than done in the early units.
A standard timer is build in to the remote control unit. System goes from moonlights, then turns on the blues, one at a time, then the whites, to achieve full power. At and of day, the sequence is reversed until all the LEDs are off. At that time, it returns to the moon light mode automatically. Only the 440 and 470 become active at app 0.1 watt each.
Remote control is used to set the timer and manual dimming. Slick little device!
binford4000
04-13-2011, 06:38 AM
John, your system has enough PAR to toast bread and fry eggs! :)
The latest specs for the units are available. The S is now in production and will arrive shortly.
The base Slimline is 7 x Cree XPG white, and now with two types of blue actinics: 3 x 440nm, 2 x 470nm. The "S" is 18 LEDs, 10 x white, 4 x 440 and 4 x 470. All LEDs are spread out more even throughout the panel than done in the early units.
A standard timer is build in to the remote control unit. System goes from moonlights, then turns on the blues, one at a time, then the whites, to achieve full power. At and of day, the sequence is reversed until all the LEDs are off. At that time, it returns to the moon light mode automatically. Only the 440 and 470 become active at app 0.1 watt each.
Remote control is used to set the timer and manual dimming. Slick little device!
Are these the ones you demostraded for me ??? Slick little buggers they are:redneck:
Thanks for the info Pat and it was a pleasure to test the led's and pick your brain.I ordered the AI's Monday.Ka ching:smash:
The pic below is a shot from my office at work. it's a 12g nano with the early Sunbrite fixture mounted on back. It is way overkill -- I'll have to dim down the LEDs so I don't kill anything. The spread is way bigger than this tank needs, but I wanted to keep this project small in scope.
Tank is up! Pics below taken with my Nikon D50 with no enhancement. The Slimline is set at 22k.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Nano%20at%20THHS/nano-FS.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Nano%20at%20THHS/FS.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Nano%20at%20THHS/nem--mushies.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/Nano%20at%20THHS/a-echinata.jpg
binford4000
05-09-2011, 06:50 AM
Very sharp looking
Thx....
Tank seems to be doing well. The RBTA is healthy and happy, and the acan echinata seems to enjoy the light (it likes a lot).
Fish Doctor (starting with Ypsi) will be stocking these. They also have a couple of the T10 tubes on display (like the ones I use for my big tank). Check out that 440 nm and get rid of your VHO, T5, and PC actinics!
Tank continues to do well. Here's the latest pic. I've added a few zoas to the mix as well.
whitetiger61
07-14-2011, 06:15 PM
does sunbright have anything to light a 2.5 gallon nano..tank specs are 10" x 9 x 8..i really would like this tank led powered..
Rick
You could use an original Slimline, but it's a bit of overkill. I'l probably use a single PAR 38 LED bulb. Sunbrite no longer makes them, but NanoTuners has been making some sweet models for quite a while. Just don't get one of the Home Depot specials -- way too yellow!
Latest pic of the tank! The pod population is out of control. I may add a mandarin goby to the tank. Still no pics at this time.
The new Sunbrite S arrived today. Things have been in delay mode, as Sunbrite's US rep is AWOL, missing after a trip to China. (Tim, good luck, wherever you are). He was replaced last week, and the new guiy is doing his best to get things caught up.
I've installed a Sunbrite S -- 18 Cree LEDs -- to the left side of my daughter's tank. A prototype Slimline S is on the right. Both light the heck out of the tank; I've actually had to dim both fixtures a fair amount. Each side of the tank is a perfect 18x18x18 cube.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/sunbrite/saratank.jpg
The current model (on left) is a bit nicer in color, likely due to the inclusion of the 440 nm royal blue LEDs along with the 470. The prototype, just like the original Slimline, uses just 470 nm blues.
The prototype is a little lighter physically, and maybe a tad shorter per my visual inspection. Build quality is very good, and the packaging is improved as well.
The remote is totally new. Instead of the little machined unit, it's now a much larger unit... and now with an antenna as well (retractable). I haven't found a need to extend the antenna yet, as it works quite well.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/pjr300/Aquaria/sunbrite/remote.jpg
So far, very impressive.
binford4000
07-16-2011, 06:08 AM
pretty sharp,so hows the spread in the middle?? It appears to be slightly dim in the middle might just be my eye's tho.It's a very good looking package and is well priced.How long is the warranty?? Are they available again now?
Yes, they are available... Both Fish Doctors Ypsilanti and Canton will have them on display. Spread is better with the production model due to it's length (about an inch longer) and the 80* optics fill the space quite well.
PS pricing has changed. The 12 led version of the Slimline S is $279 while the 18 led version is $379.
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