The Problem with getting used lighting.

[TX_Paratrooper]

I just got a "œdeal" from a guy selling his 90g tank. Problem is the ballast holding the T5 bulbs seems to have gone out less than a week later. I was planning on upgrading to LED anyway, although not this soon, so now I need new lighting.

My issue is that I know nothing about lighting. Last time I was in the hobby it was all about watts per gallon. LEDs have changed that and now I'm lost.

I'm looking for quality LEDs for a reasonable price that will handle whatever coral that I may decide to add in the future. Any recommendations?

 

[Reef noob_]

Ai primes are the highest quality at the lowest cost that I've found. Maybe 3 or 4 over your 90g?

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[MichaelE]

I would personally go for 3-4 noopsyches. Great value for money although their controller is a bit confusing.


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[TX_Paratrooper]

Thanks! I should have made it clear too that I don’t spending more $ if that’s what it takes to get quality and dependable lighting. I’d just prefer not to pay for more than I need.

 

[mcgyvr]

Look into "black box" LEDS on Amazon/Ebay like the Viparspectra/Mars Aqua

Search for "165W Reef LED" or "300W Reef LED"

While they don't have all the bells/whistles that the $$$$ brands do they are more than capable of growing corals as proven by many users

A single 300W would be PLENTY over a standard 90G tank and you don't need to run it anywhere near full power.. Even a 165W one would be enough light.. 300W gives you more spread and ability to finer tune the light as you don't need to come anywhere near maxing out the white channel

$200 or less and done

 

[monkeysee1]

Get Radions if you're going to keep ANY corals above mushrooms or softies. Big bucks. But you WON'T regret it.

 

[mcgyvr]

I'd just prefer not to pay for more than I need.

Get Radions

:worried: :hmm4: :lol:

 

[Diana A]

+1 on Mars Aqua. I own it and I can grow any SPS.

 

[Uncle99]

I have two of the VISPARSPECTRA 165watt, mentioned by Mcgyvr
About $100 bucks, going into their 3rd year, grow everything, including SPS and clams.
Check my photo gallery

I think Mcgyvr suggestion of the 300w is perfect!
the whole thing is $220 bucks for 300w:

Super well made and a fan you can't hear.

Comes with a timer but Only blue and white channel controls.
No special effects, Ramps, or individual colour intensity controls.

Good thing, I know nothing about controlling colours for coral growth anyways

 

[Crooked Reef]

I have Radions. You don’t need Radions to be successful. I would not recommend Radions for a person new to led lights either as ecotech gave Radions a lot of control and you could easily kill coral playing around with different color and uv levels. Led lights also put off a lot of par. Start low and work your way up over time.

 

[monkeysee1]

"I have two of the VISPARSPECTRA 165watt,"
_______________________

......tried those a 4-5 years ago on my tank. Loaned to me from someone I knew at the LFS I used to frequent, who had used them briefly before that. Couldn't get anything to grow besdies mushrooms, which are practically weeds anyway. No luck with the Birds Nests or Montiporas - they lost their polyps within 2 weeks. With the LPS's like the Pavonas, Bubbles and Candy canes, Hammers, no dice either...
Got so flustered with them they went back to the store.....
...and I monitor ALL my water parameters RELIGIOUSLY....
....tried T5's too...couldn't stand the noise coming coming from the fan. Drove me nuts...and it was harder to control the water temp with them...water tended to get too warm.....
...so for now I have basically a Fish Only (with the exception of a few inverts i.e shrimp, hermits, emerals, urchins and 2 cocoa worms - all are doing great) and have the krappy Current Orbit Marine Pro bar and two strips back on (Marine Fusion and Actinic Blue) until I can get enough money to get Radions...then I'll resume reefing in earnest.....
....but that's been MY experience, snarky remarks on this thread aside...