Stunner LED Strips

[ER95]

Hey guys,

I currently have the original lighting in my BioCube with a Stunner LED Strip in between. I was researching LED retrofits and all that for my tank but couldn't I just buy 3 or 4 more strips and pull my PC bulbs out?

I already have a ballast for the one strip that can hold up to 6 strips I believe, which wasn't on the cheap side. Iv'e seen BioCubes on YouTube that are running just Stunners and it looks sweet!

The thing is, will this be enough for the corals? I don't have any SPS but would like to take a step in that later.

Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[ange062]

Stunner are 6w each, so even with 5 you are only talking 30w total which is on the low range of light.

If you want to be successful (especially at SPS later on) I suggest doing something like 4 Panorama Pro's instead (4 x 19w = 76w) and your corals will be much happier. Then again, once you have spent that much, you may be better off with something like a Kessil a350w, AI SOL, etc.

 

[Nano sapiens]

I currently run a (2) Stunner Strips (with their own reflectors) plus (2) normal output T5s (with reflectors) for 28 W total on a 12g Cadlights tank.

The Stunners/T5s are supporting and growing lower light tolerant SPS like Montipora setosa and M. undata mid level in my tank and Rics on the bottom, but I wouldn't recommend them if you are going to try Acros and such in the future.

 

[PhilsAquatics]

@er95 yes you can you will do just fine adding the other stunner strips i only have 27 1 watt leds and im growing sps just fine i updated my pics so you can see for your self just go
to my build thread, most people get to caught up in there product name brands, and how powerfull they are when half the time there not even running there leds even close to full power cause they melt stuff, the advantage you will have with your stunner strip set up over mine is not only will you be able to grow coral but you can choose the over all color of your tank just like any other big name brand remember white 10 ks are most important.

 

[ER95]

Hmm, how about the retrofit kits from Rapidled.com? Half the price...

 

[ange062]

I missed that you were only on a 14g BC, I assumed a 29g from your original post because I couldn't see your sig on Tapatalk. I think you will probably be alright with 30w of LED over a 14, it's still slightly low, but should get the job done with proper placement and corals choices.

BTW, and single Kessill a150w would be cheaper and be enough for the whole tank.

 

[PhilsAquatics]

angeo62 + 1

 

[Recty]

Hmm, how about the retrofit kits from Rapidled.com? Half the price...

I have the retrofit kit for my 14g biocube... I like the amount of light it produces HOWEVER I'm only growing LPS, no SPS corals yet.

It is quite a bit brighter than stock lighting, I'm pretty sure that with decent placement of the really high need corals up top in the tank, I could grow most any SPS out there.

My only complaint is that the LED kit, which I thought would lower temperatures, is running just about as hot as the CF bulbs they replaced. I'm still pushing to almost 83 degrees every single day, but that is with all blue and white lights on. With the CF, I would run the blue bulb for 8 hours and the white for 4 hours and hit 83, so I'm definitely able to keep the lights on longer than I was able to with CF, and the intensity is definitely greater than stock.

 

[ER95]

The Kessill a150w 10000K looks sweet in the videos on YouTube! 264 bucks is still alot of money, not so bad compared to some priced near a grand...

 

[chad p]

+1 for the Kessil A150 recommendation. I've seen people who have had success with SPS over a NC 28. I just added a 10,000K to mine and I love the look of it.

One over your 14 would be a simple, easy way to give you all the punch you need.

 

[ER95]

+1 for the Kessil A150 recommendation. I've seen people who have had success with SPS over a NC 28. I just added a 10,000K to mine and I love the look of it.

One over your 14 would be a simple, easy way to give you all the punch you need.

Could I see a picture with your new Kessil?

 

[chad p]

Sure. This is over a nano cube 28. It's sky blue but looks a bit more blue in this pic. Not nearly as blue and perfect color for my liking.

 

[ER95]

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much better is it compared the stock PC bulbs?

 

[chumm]

What kind of skimmer is that?

 

[Atmosphere]

My fish store has a jbj 28 with a kessil light running on it, it looks bad ***. If I had the money id throw the pc hood of my tank out and rock a kessil light. Only thing that sucks is no moon lights and I really like the atmosphere it adds at night to my living room but you can always add one later I guess. Have you seen jbj has there own led goose neck led lamp? I haven't seen it in person but might be worth looking into. Its alittle more than a kessil though.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[ER95]

I forgot all about this.

For 150 bucks more.... I can double my tank size by upgrading to a JBJ 28 Nano Cube that already has LED's.

 

[chad p]

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much better is it compared the stock PC bulbs?

Well mine was the HQI version so it's tough for me to compare it to the PCs. I like it more than the HQI though because to me it just has a cleaner, more crisp look to it in the tank. Tough to describe but it's just better looking to me. Personal preference of course. Also, the HQI caused the temp to swing from 79 to 83 when temps in the house were mild and if it warmed up a bit the temps were closer to 84 by the time the light went off. I figured why get a chiller and add to the electricity bill when i could get a Kessil for about the same price or cheaper and save electricity?

 

[chad p]

What kind of skimmer is that?

It's a JNS VS1. Same exact skimmer as the better known Aquamaxx HOB-1. I'm really happy with it.