Upgrading Lighting

[ksgriff88]

I hope this is the right place to post but I have some questions about upgrading my lighting......

I have a 55 gallon tank currently running a Marineland Reef Capable LED (https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Capable-Aquarium-Lighting-System/dp/B00494JTFU) and 4 of the Reefbar-2 acintic blues and 2 2:1 (http://www.21ledusa.com/aquarium_led_reefbar_blue_white_4_4_p/rbc573044wp.htm).

I tested my PAR with my LFS Par meter the other day and wasn't getting very high numbers (about 100 at the water level) and down into the 20's at the bottom of the tank. Some of my corals (mainly zoa's) aren't showing great color and I know I should upgrade my lights.

I want something that will get the job done for softies, LPS, and maybe eventually some SPS but I don't want to spend a ton of money (I know that these are opposite thoughts).

There are so many LED options and want some opinions on some of them. Would love to hear opinions on the following systems (or any others that I have missed:

1. MarsAqua (no timer)
(https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dim...=UTF8&qid=1495634831&sr=1-1&keywords=marsaqua)
2. Current USA Orbit (not sure if the LEDs are strong enough)
(https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PV39AE3DP471TN2W5QHK)
3. Viparspectra (this seems to be a great option just not sure if the light is strong enough)
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UMXAR5S?psc=1)

Sorry for the long post but appreciate everyones help!

 

[Shelbytwp123]

I have MarsAqua 32". Took the lenses of bc I don't need the the focus tank is only about 16" to bottom . Got the plugged separately in 2 different timers so they work fenomenal

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[mcgyvr]

#1 or #3 (mars or vipar) is great and can grow anything... They are basically all the same just some different timer/remote,etc.. options..
In general any of the "Chinese Black Box" LEDs as those are commonly referred to work just fine and can easily support any type of corals.. 2 of those fixtures is plenty for a 55G tank..and you won't need to run it more than maybe 50% or so..


#2 (current orbit) is NOT SUFFICIENT at all.. Run from it..

 

[perk73]

SB Reef lights, best bang for your buck.

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[zsuman101]

T5s

 

[ksgriff88]

SB Reef lights, best bang for your buck.

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What would you recommend for my tank? 1 of the 32"? I did look at those lights as well just forgot to include them on the list. Also do you think they are that much better than the Viparspectra and MarsAqua?

 

[perk73]

I'm running the 32" WiFI on my 75 and get great growth.

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[perk73]

https://sbreeflights.com/content/7-faq

 

[twitchy]

I have the 300w Mars Aqua on a 40B and it's been great, downsizing to a smaller tank is the only reason I'm getting rid of it

 

[ksgriff88]

I ended up buying 2 of the Mars Aqua 165w. Should be here today. I'll give an update in a few weeks but I'm very excited to try some better lights than I previously had on there.

Thank you everyone for the advice!

 

[ccasa004]

I did the same update from the marine land to the 165w. I started off at 10% and went up 10% a week until I got to 50%.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Look over this post and consider the options and features you want in your fixture. The MarsAqua and Viparspectra will both do a good job as far as light goes. The Current Orbit is just like your Marineland Reef Capable fixture. Over a 12" or maybe an 18" tank with easy corals it's OK. But they use 0.3 or 0.5 watt leds that just don't penetrate the water well enough.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25052764&postcount=233

Don't buy because somebody says it's the best (even me!). Look at the features and consider what you want and what you can afford or justify and then get what you want. Asking about a specific fixture is a good idea, asking "what's the best" just gets you what a lot of other people think is best. I paid $600 for my fixture and I love it. But you can get just as good a light for $200 if you don't want the options I wanted. Or you could pay $1500 if you want the same basic fixture from a big name brand with a big profit margin? LOL!