Par 30-38: experience, pics, and input

[justahobby]

I've been looking over my options for switching the biocube over to LED's. After seeing few pics and reviews I have about settled on trying one. Especially after I saw some put to use on a 200g tank!

One issue I see is that only one company, rapidled.com, offer 60-80 optics. Nanotuners only offers one: 40. Would that be too much spot light effect?

Have any of you tried one? How long? Where did you get it? What size tank? Tell me everything.

Any brands to stay away from? there is a dimmable one w/ a remote control for $60 on fleabay. Has any one heard of someone using it? The dimming and ability to turn on/ off blue and white with a remote is pretty appealing.

[Europhyllia]

re: optics.
could you mix them up if you get more than one bulb?

I believe the current AI fixtures have 40 degree optics towards the center and 70 degree optics towards the outside. I think that's a good idea.
Single source lights (like MH) create more glimmer lines than light with a wider spread (think T5 = zero glimmer lines) so I found the combo of 40 and 70 quite nice on the big tank.
That being said I have 40 degree optics on the DIY seahorse fixture and I don't see it with the bare eye but there's two things coming into play:
I have the fixture fairly high up to accommodate the mangroves so the cones overlap more I am sure
and
I can see it in photos but not with the naked eye. I guess my brain blends them but my Canon doesn't. lol

If you want the fixture close to the water then why not go with 60 degree optics and not have to worry about making a decision? ;)