Affordable light setup for coral and anemone?

[legomaheggos]

I'm pretty new to the hobby, and was curious what my options are for an affordable lighting system that will look good on my tank. Right now I use a standard 50/50 bulb in a 48" canopy and I also have a 150 double ended system equivalent to 250.

I was wondering if there is any other lighting options that are affordable that might be beneficial or aesthetically pleasing. I don't have a lot to spend right now, so may not be in the cards. I like the look of the blue lights, but probably only have $200 to spend right now. Tank is 125 gallons, 6ft long approx.

If it matters, I plan on 2 rose bulb anemone and a brain coral,lobophyllia or two and a Platygyra to start, provided I can find some we like for the tank. We have 4 ocellaris clowns and all have seemed to take residence in the top right corner of the tank. I want something that will fit well with them and is easy to maintain.

 

[Reefing Madness]

2pcs 165W Dimmable Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Lighting Marine Reef Coral Lamp | eBay

 

[legomaheggos]

What color light do these put off? Not sure how I would set them up on my tank either with what appears to be the smaller size. Will look into it for sure, thank you for the recommendation

 

[Reefing Madness]

They are full spectrum, with dimmers.
DIY – An Inexpensive (Light) Hanger Kit - Reefkeeping.com
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/le...mitting-diodes-fixture-how-yours-mounted.html
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/101330-hanging-light-emitting-diodes-fixtures.html
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...-light-emitting-diodes-light-do-yourself.html

 

[legomaheggos]

Do you think I need that kit before I get Coral/Anemone or is the metal halide light sufficient to start and upgrade as more funds start rolling in to spare? Pretty fresh into buying this new tank and getting my algae growth starting in my fuge. Waiting for my chemical levels balance out before I add any coral or anything, but would like to spice it up a bit with some color before too long. I appreciate you sharing some knowledge and shooting some resources my way, certainly helps a lot. By far the best forum group I've been on

 

[mainereefer]

What color light do these put off? Not sure how I would set them up on my tank either with what appears to be the smaller size. Will look into it for sure, thank you for the recommendation

just google gbgreensun 120w aquarium led....
personally I watch out for watch out for sellers saying it is a 165w light! yes it uses a 3w led but a 3w led is only 2.2w after fans ect. this light draws draws around 128w!
any seller saying these lights are 165w are just dishonest "my light is better" is just a flat out lie. 100's of ppl sell these same lights

if you order direct you can pick the color and placement of the led.... I think they sell for about $70 each right now.... they also have a light with built in timers for like $90..... they also have a warehouse in the us so you dont have to ship from china...... for warranties you can send the light to get repaired or they will send you the parts to fix it up to you.

 

[legomaheggos]

Do you use the gbgreensun? Says they are made in China, so I'm assuming thats why you mentioned the US warehouse. Looking up the name online they don't have much web presence and only review I could find for the company was 1 star. Makes me hesitant.

 

[jeannieh]

light

Hi we use a LED works

 

[legomaheggos]

http://www.amazon.com/BeamsWork-Single-Bright-Aquarium-Fixture/dp/B007TW2N20

Something like that?

 

[Taylor t]

If you don't care about the color, Home Depot sells just a standard base A-19 LED flood lamp, 120 watt equivalent 5K (((daylight))). (uses 19 actual watts) Phillips brand for $35. Awesome growth/response for anemones, but not blue looking. This lamp is as cheap as you can get, and still get outstanding results, just isn't the phycidellic blue most people aim to achieve.

 

[legomaheggos]

If you don't care about the color, Home Depot sells just a standard base A-19 LED flood lamp, 120 watt equivalent 5K (((daylight))). (uses 19 actual watts) Phillips brand for $35. Awesome growth/response for anemones, but not blue looking. This lamp is as cheap as you can get, and still get outstanding results, just isn't the phycidellic blue most people aim to achieve.

I don't really care about the color so much as I care about keeping the coral and anemone alive. My metal halide system is pure light, no dimmer and no different colors, but very bright. Surely its okay to support coral and the anemone, you think?

 

[Taylor t]

I have one of those lamps aimed at each anemone I have (13 anemones). On one of them, it can stretch to 26-28"+. That anemone gets 4 of those spots. They say they are dim able. I use 250 watt MH over the largest anemone, the H.D. led spots supplement - the 250 watt MH wasn't cutting it anymore. Noticeable improvement right away. The other 12 only get led, made up with old DIY LED Cree (made before all the commercial units were available), and Home Depot spots.

If your tank and nem are stable, just buy one to try yourself, and observe yourself. I bet you go back for some more. It's a quarter to a third the cost that they want for the blue colored ones from LFS.

 

[phillrodrigo]

If you have a halide just buy some blue led strips.

 

[mainereefer]

Do you use the gbgreensun? Says they are made in China, so I'm assuming thats why you mentioned the US warehouse. Looking up the name online they don't have much web presence and only review I could find for the company was 1 star. Makes me hesitant.

greensun newest light
https://www.facebook.com/ledaquariumlight123

gbgreensun is a manufacturer they manufacture marsaqua and a lot of other "brands" just like evergrow, evergrow makes reefbreeders and a few other "brand" names
I use both and have sold both... I prefer evergrow because of customer service

 

[legomaheggos]

greensun newest light
https://www.facebook.com/ledaquariumlight123

gbgreensun is a manufacturer they manufacture marsaqua and a lot of other "brands" just like evergrow, evergrow makes reefbreeders and a few other "brand" names
I use both and have sold both... I prefer evergrow because of customer service

I feel like an idiot asking a million questions but on their Web page I couldn't find an order form and not much info on their facebook. How would you recommend getting a quote for 3 with shipping? They don't make contacting them very easy it seems heh

 

[Armon_p]

Aqua current led

 

[jstec]

I also use a Aqua marine current led mainly bc it was really cheap on sale on Amazon but it does put off very strong light and a balanced spread. It has custom weather features that I'll never use and the lights are not replaceable but it's a single unit that lights my 50 tall mixed reef with very good growth at all levels. If I were to buy new lights myself again I would go with a modular unit or two.

 

[mainereefer]

I feel like an idiot asking a million questions but on their Web page I couldn't find an order form and not much info on their facebook. How would you recommend getting a quote for 3 with shipping? They don't make contacting them very easy it seems heh

pm sent

 

[Armon_p]

You could also get a kessil on ebay for a little over 200