Popbloom H series

Royal_pudding · Jul 9, 2024

Has anybody seen or tried these?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32948143589.html

Im looking for dimmable led under a canopy and these seem to fit the bill.

Not a whole lot of recent reviews on popbloom passively cooled panels like this. Older reviews are mixed, some complaining about spectrum or longevity, others happy with coral growth etc.

Salty2021 · Jul 9, 2024

Your better off paying for some good light. Ai prime Is a really good light

bradreef · Jul 9, 2024

I just think for $266 at 60 watts isn't great bang for your buck. I think you would be better off with 3-4 populargrow strips if you want that coverage. How tall is the canopy?

Royal_pudding · Jul 9, 2024

bradreef said:
I just think for $266 at 60 watts isn't great bang for your buck. I think you would be better off with 3-4 populargrow strips if you want that coverage. How tall is the canopy?

Only 4 inches, I've got a populargrow in there now that is doing fine. Just want more controllability

bradreef · Jul 9, 2024

Maybe ditch the canopy? Maybe reebreeders can run that close?

oreo54 · Jul 9, 2024

Royal_pudding said:
Only 4 inches, I've got a populargrow in there now that is doing fine. Just want more controllability

First the popbloom has 120 degree reflectors vs the spot lights on any black box led. From 90 to 60 degrees.
Of course many modify by pulling lenses ect.
Next 120 watts and 144 leds.. so they are run fairly gentle.. which is important in an air cooled (no fan) light.
4 funky channels..
BUT you need to be more specific like total tank dimensions, whats your goal, and what exactly are you running now and how strong.
Bit more expensive but you can get them from Amazon.

taking a stab at your possible mounting height the lights will spread about 14" f/back..
Point is if you have like a 24" wide tank you have some things to think about. Lie 2 48" vs what you picked out .

Amazon product

bradreef said:
I just think for $266 at 60 watts isn't great bang for your buck. I think you would be better off with 3-4 populargrow strips if you want that coverage. How tall is the canopy?

2 panels @ 60 w each soo 120 watts.
Unlike the black box fake ratings usually popbloom is pretty accurate.. AFAICT

Royal_pudding · Jul 10, 2024

The tank is 5ft, 20 inches deep, 24 inches high.
I was thinking about adding 1x popbloom h54 and 1x popbloom h75. Together that is 150W as stated by popbloom.
The other option Im looking at is to go for Herifi bars from Alibaba. 3 - 4 of those, each being 60W. They can be run of the same driver and can be individually dimmed. They will be a bit more expensive than the popbloom due to 200$ shipping.

I did have an 48" AI Blade Grow along with a custom spectrum populargrow in there and wqs happy with the output. Montipora is the highest par demanding coral in the tank.
The Blade is now in service since it stopped working :/ It is not in warranty so if the fix is too expensive I might not take it back.
Now a single 60w populargrow is all that is lighting the tank.

oreo54 · Jul 10, 2024

Royal_pudding said:
The tank is 5ft, 20 inches deep, 24 inches high.
I was thinking about adding 1x popbloom h54 and 1x popbloom h75. Together that is 150W as stated by popbloom.
The other option Im looking at is to go for Herifi bars from Alibaba. 3 - 4 of those, each being 60W. They can be run of the same driver and can be individually dimmed. They will be a bit more expensive than the popbloom due to 200$ shipping.

I did have an 48" AI Blade Grow along with a custom spectrum populargrow in there and wqs happy with the output. Montipora is the highest par demanding coral in the tank.
The Blade is now in service since it stopped working :/ It is not in warranty so if the fix is too expensive I might not take it back.
Now a single 60w populargrow is all that is lighting the tank.

The Herfi bars are interesting.
And one can get them in 5ft (1500 mm,)
and 85 watts each.
Link does state " non dimmable driver" though.
There are wifi ones....

Wifi App Dimmable Led Aquarium Light Sunset Sunrise Simulation Reef Led Aquarium Light For Sps Lps - Buy Led Aquarium Cora Reef Light aquarium Light wifi App Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

Alibaba can be such a mess though.

Choice of lens ( 120 is probably best)

Royal_pudding · Jul 10, 2024

Yes Yes, I'm going to work on the canopy a little until I hear from AI repair service.
Install a small IP67 fan and couple of ventilation grills.
Maybe custom spectrum Herifi is the way to go.