help choosing a budget light for a tank

[jmc1974]

hello everyone, I am trying to comeback to the hobby after several years out, I found a great little 20g JBJ Frag tank and stand. I ordered 3 light to try and see what would be better for this small frag tank.

The Luminix Pixie 30
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T2H15FL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

or

The HIPARGERO LED 30W
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0727V8C5Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

or

The WILLS Newest 165W LED Black Box
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFYBRJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and last I found but have not ordered yet

The ASTA 120 Saltwater
https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Pla...locphy=9032002&hvtargid=pla-401410148061&th=1


what would you recommend and why?


thanks in advance

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Hipargero is the only one to list the chip wattage.
The ASTA is a point source light like a Kessil
The Luminix does not list chip wattage either
The Wills could be too much but can always be dimmed.
For me it would be Wills or Hipargero 2nd.

 

[mcgyvr]

Rounding up and attempting to pull the wool over the consumers eye is commonplace...

Pixie 30
Lists Actual Power: 26-30watt

Hipargero says 30W
Says 3W LEDs.. There are 9... 9 x 3 = 27W

Willis says 55x3W = 165W then lists one light only consume 113W
Power out can never be greater than power in so its a 113W light (not even accounting for switching/conversion losses,etc..)

ASTA says 60x3W = 180W then lists Actual power: 110w
Same as above.. 110W is likely under 100W of light..


The last 2 even with their lower than advertised actual power are WAY more than whats needed on your tank.. But yes.. Dimming them way down to 30% at best likely would probably be ok..

I haven't personally tried any of those fixtures (but have owned other 165W black box lights like the Willis) so I can't recommend any of them.. Just wanted to show wattage numbers for others so they may avoid searching

 

[jmc1974]

sorry about the links, they all seem not to work

Luminix Pixie 30
https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Spectrum-Dimmable-Saltwater-Bracket/dp/B07GKHKXHZ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=luminox+pixie+30&qid=1568421670&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0


HIPARGERO LED 30W
https://www.amazon.com/HIPARGERO-LED-Aquarium-Light-Saltwater/dp/B0727V8C5Q/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2DX8LPF2WOF5T&keywords=hipagero+aquarium+light&qid=1568421759&s=gateway&sprefix=hipager%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-4

WILLS Newest 165W LED Black Box
https://www.amazon.com/WILLS-Aquarium-Spectrum-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B07DFYBRJW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=WILLS+Newest+165W+LED+Black+Box&qid=1568421798&s=gateway&sr=8-1

ASTA 120 Saltwater
https://www.amazon.com/Lominie-Aquarium-Saltwater-Freshwater-Planted/dp/B07WX6LMQD/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=ASTA+120+Saltwater&qid=1568421830&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[jmc1974]

I was hoping to keep the light cost under $100 and still have a decent output for a shallow frag tank... I will try to grow everything from zoas, LPS and SPS. so the idea is since the tank is only the JBJ 20 Gallon Shallow Frag tank I can assume I just need decent coverage and PAR, not so much deep penetration as a regular reef tank would need.


20 Frag Tank Specs: Features: •All-In-One Filtration
•Designed specifically as a frag tank and great as a shallow reef
•Frag Rack: consisting of black eggcrate and stand-offs
•Strong water pump (266GPH) for water circulation
•Designated center column for heater and/or chiller pump
•Black cover lid pre-cut to fit and clamp JBJ Pacifica LED light
Aquarium Specs: •Approximately 20 Gallons
•6 mm Bent Glass
•Dimensions: 20" x 24" x 9"
•Center Filter Chamber Dimensions: 13.5” x 5” x 9”
•Left and Right Filter Chamber Dimensions: 5” x 5” X 9”
Filtration: •Acrylic Filter Wall w/ Overflow
•Mechanical Sponges
•Activated Carbon Sponges
•Biological Ceramic rings
•Return Spray Bar
•Designated Center Column for Heater and/or Chiller Pump

 

[jmc1974]

now regarding the lights, I have tried to follow the extra long thread on the chinese boxes and seems alot of people like them and they have more than enough power to grow anything, and can be cheap to customize and change LED's and spectrum, as for the mini lights the few reviews I seen got me more confused as now I don't know and this is why I ask all of you for input

see the youtube reviews (this have PAR readings)

Pixie 30
https://youtu.be/_knq3ITwI48


HIPARGERO LED 30W
https://youtu.be/Aa7lwC8uWO0
2nd PAR review on a BIOCUBE 29
https://youtu.be/KJK6vvVcmQc


LUMINI ASTA120
http://www.luminigrow.com/index.php/aquarium-light/item/84-aquarium-light/36-asta-120

 

[jmc1974]

Hipargero is the only one to list the chip wattage.
The ASTA is a point source light like a Kessil
The Luminix does not list chip wattage either
The Wills could be too much but can always be dimmed.
For me it would be Wills or Hipargero 2nd.

thank for the feedback!:thumbsup:

 

[jmc1974]

Rounding up and attempting to pull the wool over the consumers eye is commonplace...

Pixie 30
Lists Actual Power: 26-30watt

Hipargero says 30W
Says 3W LEDs.. There are 9... 9 x 3 = 27W

Willis says 55x3W = 165W then lists one light only consume 113W
Power out can never be greater than power in so its a 113W light (not even accounting for switching/conversion losses,etc..)

ASTA says 60x3W = 180W then lists Actual power: 110w
Same as above.. 110W is likely under 100W of light..


The last 2 even with their lower than advertised actual power are WAY more than whats needed on your tank.. But yes.. Dimming them way down to 30% at best likely would probably be ok..

I haven't personally tried any of those fixtures (but have owned other 165W black box lights like the Willis) so I can't recommend any of them.. Just wanted to show wattage numbers for others so they may avoid searching

awesome information on the power :thumbsup:

 

[jmc1974]

Rounding up and attempting to pull the wool over the consumers eye is commonplace...

Pixie 30
Lists Actual Power: 26-30watt

Hipargero says 30W
Says 3W LEDs.. There are 9... 9 x 3 = 27W

Willis says 55x3W = 165W then lists one light only consume 113W
Power out can never be greater than power in so its a 113W light (not even accounting for switching/conversion losses,etc..)

ASTA says 60x3W = 180W then lists Actual power: 110w
Same as above.. 110W is likely under 100W of light..


The last 2 even with their lower than advertised actual power are WAY more than whats needed on your tank.. But yes.. Dimming them way down to 30% at best likely would probably be ok..

I haven't personally tried any of those fixtures (but have owned other 165W black box lights like the Willis) so I can't recommend any of them.. Just wanted to show wattage numbers for others so they may avoid searching

I also just made a quick discovery as I browse the classifieds

the Kesil 380WE Tuna Blue is only a 90W light.... so the ASTA120 that rated about 100w and uses similar LED array, I wonder how it compares as the unit have 4ch controllable spectrum. :eek2:

Wifi Control
We use the newest and most popular technology DMX and PWM controls. 4 programmable channels with dimmer and timer. With built-in 2.4G module, multiple lamps can be daisy chained together wirelessly, and controlled by one wifi controller.

Intensity
The Lumin Asta 120 uses a 120watt multi chip LEDs, each LEDs output has high lumens and intensity. LEDs are combined using secondary lens and the best material for light transmittance. Providing incredible coral growth.

Copper COB
CH1:10pcs Blue LEDs
CH2: 16pcs Cold White + 2pcs Red + 2pcs Green
CH3: 14pcs Royal Blue + 2pcs UV + 4pcs Purple
CH4: 10pcs Blue LEDs
Copper COB with high efficiency 3W Chips

LEDs

10 x Blue LEDs
11x Royal Blue LEDs
13 x Cool White LEDs
4 x UV LEDs
1 x Red LEDs
1 x green LEDs



Lifespan: 50000Hrs



all this info from their website

 

[outssider]

your biggest problem is going to be shadowing trying to cover that space with one fixture. I would place the fixture high off the water and turn it up …..probably Chinese black box is the most cost effective. I would look for one with a large variety of blue and violet diodes and not many whites because you'll end up turning the whites down anyway.

 

[jmc1974]

your biggest problem is going to be shadowing trying to cover that space with one fixture. I would place the fixture high off the water and turn it up "¦..probably Chinese black box is the most cost effective. I would look for one with a large variety of blue and violet diodes and not many whites because you'll end up turning the whites down anyway.

how is this?

 

[lpsouth1978]

I had 3 x Hipargero over my 40B for several months with good results. I removed them in favor of the Hydra 26HD, but all of my corals and anemones did great under the Hipargero in the months they were in use.

 

[outssider]

how is this?

that's close....I'd rather have some 440-450 blues in place of some of those whites. The red and green are rather useless too ...more blue and violets in their place.

 

[coltonnanoreef]

just FYI, I dont think that amazon Asta 120 and the Asta 120 from the Luminie website are the same light. The amazon one says 'Lominie' and is ripping off the Lumini design/name. the Lumini asta 120 is $180