We have tried both the CSL and the
Marc Weiss Moonshine lights. Much prefer the Weiss light - we've got one on our 120 at the shop. I *think* it's 2 watts - but don't recall for sure. The CSL one is a white LED, and the Weiss one is an actinic one. Much more fluorescence out of the actinic one.
I doubt there is much benefit to the fish or corals from them, but they are really enjoyable to the hobbyist!
Not sure about perceived value per cost though, the Weiss lights are very expensive. However I had a client order the "Magnum" Weiss light - it's 2 x 2 watt lights on one strip about 24" long, and he absolutely loves it - he says it's worth every cent. I think I'm too stingy to spend that much on one, but again, it's about perceived value - to him it was worth it.
I do not know how the DIY models stack up, I haven't seen one firsthand. I do have a prototype that a friend who works for a national manufacturer was tinkering with, although his company has no plans to develop or market it - and it's just as nice as the Weiss one, but it's a "one of a kind". You can get inexpensive LED lights in white, green, blue and red from Miracle Beam, but I've heard mixed reviews of those. I bought a couple to try/play with but haven't had a chance to compare them with the pricier ones marketed specifically as moon type lights.
HTH
Jenn
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Member of the "J" Crowd & the BRW Crowd!
LFS Owner:
Imagine Ocean
Just keep skimming, just keep skimming, just keep skimming, skimming skimming! What do we do? We skim, skim, skim!
