Led Lighting Elos AquaTop 60. Complete Review

Foreword

In this article of the new suspended led lighting Elos AquaTop 60, I will describe my feelings  about the technical specs and manifacturing of this product. Later, through a dedicated set-up, I’ll publish the response of the LEDs on certain aquatic plant species. Elos once again affirm itself on the Italian market as competitive company that continually offers to his fans over the world cutting-edge products with unchallenged design.

Technical Description

Type: led lighting Elos AquaTop 60, this model is suitable for fresh and marine aquarium, depending on the choice of white/blue Estripes

Dimensions: 58.5 cm in length, 21 cm wide and 2 cm height in suspended kit, with side bars to use over the aquarium has the total height of 5 cm.

Color: Silver Metallic

Weight: 2.80 kg

Ballast/transformer: external electronic

E-Stripe: single module with 9 LEDs, 3 internal modules of 3 LED with consumption of 21W for bars, 1735 lumens, white light color

Total E-Stripe: 4 bars with 9 LEDs for bar

LED: in my opinion would be: CREE XP-G, white, 10,000 K, specially designed for Elos

Dissipation: The E-Stripe have, along their length, aluminum wings to dissipate heat

Total consumption: 100 watt

Total Lumens: 6940 Lumen

Visual Description

The lighting system is entirely made of aluminum. The outer part consists of a folded section that forms a box to hold the bars: the reduced thickness (2 cm) was studied in order to maintain the aesthetic little “heavy” and an exclusive design.

On either side of this “box” screwed the two side bars that vary depending on the type of fixture chosen: one is up for placement of the light directly over the edge of the tank, the other to be suspended. An upper grille, located directly above the E-Stripe, along the entire length of AquaTop 60 and allows, through hundreds of holes, a perfect heat dissipation from the LEDs. All screws are stainless steel to prevent oxidation (especially marine). The paint is excellent, I believe that in many parts they have used the “powder” paint because it conveys a remarkable firmness and thickness, the color was right in maintaining an appropriate tone for the modern decor.

E-Stripe

The Bars are made ​​for the entire length to a very narrow aluminum profile which has wings for cooling. The E-stripes are screwed into the lighting in varying numbers, up to maximum to 4, to fulfill every aquarists need. The placement of the bars must necessarily be done by removing the top rack and removing the locking screws inside, links and colors of the wires must be respected according to the directions of the labels placed directly in the vicinity of the terminals of the E-Stripe contacts.

The 9 LEDs are grouped into 3 modules, each module spaced well away one from the other and connected to the next with three white copper wires. The electrical part is inaccessible because it is covered by a transparent plastic dome that protects the LEDs from any contact with water, and also to isolate them from the salt. The upper part consists of an aluminum sides and there are two steel caps (you see in the picture, the black wire is a connection wire) locked with two screws. Between caps and aluminum bar is a black silicone insulation that surely is placed as a guarantee of tampering by the user and to prevent the passage of moisture inside. The construction of these bars is exceptional because Elos was able to maintain very small dimension thanks to high quality, technology of electronic materials and components used. This is really important if you took into account the size of other currently marketed lighting with similar power. In our case Elos has not disappointed the expectations maintaining a beautiful and lightweight design.

Elos 60 AquaTop Versions

There are only two versions of the Aquatop 60. The first involves the placement directly over the glass of aquarium, so with appropriate supports to be installed through two locking screws, bearings are provided with rubber to avoid damaging the glass of the aquarium and in the higher holes (look at photo) are installed glass lids.

This choice is better suitable using an Elos tank of the same dimensions, and surely this represents the ultimate in aesthetic quality. The other version is suspended, in this case we have to disassemble the side panels and replace with the appropriate ones with blocks for steel wires provided on the kit.

Considerations

This lighting is made with quality materials and well constructed with maniacal attention to beauty and technicians details. Each piece is carefully designed, the conduits of the cables are never inappropriate, steel screws are suitably sized and relatively fews, the holes themselves are flared for a beautiful look once narrow.

The power controllers, timers, sunset mode, etc., are made possible thanks to the tremendous product E-Vision (touch screen controller) that integrates seamlessly with this lighting and with all the accessories offered.

Simplicity and design are predominant in this product that remains at the top of the range offered on the market and it arises centrally as an example and guideline for other manufacturers. Unfortunately for many fans remains a dream because the price is high, and like most of Elos products, we are at the High End of the aquariums world’s market.

This article was previously published on RAP – Rare Aquatic Plants in italian