Affordable Lighting Help

Nosaj82 · Nov 12, 2019

Hi,

So I just fired up my tank and currently waiting for it to cycle. I am at a point where I need lights and I am having a hard time making a decision. I am relatively new to the hobby and plan on keeping fish and some coral that is relatively easy to care for by a beginner.

what is a decent yet affordable light to buy? And how many do I buy. I keeping looking at kessil, maxspect, Red Sea and AI. Is there cheaper ones out there or am I looking at the right lights to buy. I don’t want to cheap out and buy garbage but I also see you can pay a lot for lights lol.

My tank is 7 feet x 18” deep x 22” wide.

Thanks
Jason

flyline · Nov 12, 2019

Look at Mars Chinese black box a lot of people use them and like them probably one of your best bets if you are looking for cheaper lighting

Jon Fishman · Nov 12, 2019

I use(d) 3x 300w MarsAqua black-boxes on my 8’ x 20”x18” and they are great and affordable. Deals on Ebay to buy all 3 at once too.

I am only replacing them with radions because I am neurotic really. If I had a nicer floating canopy I would stick with them. I have no complaints.

That size tank I would do 1x 300w and 2x 165w. or 4x 165w

Nosaj82 · Nov 12, 2019

flyline said:
Look at Mars Chinese black box a lot of people use them and like them probably one of your best bets if you are looking for cheaper lighting

Thank you

Nosaj82 · Nov 12, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
I use(d) 3x 300w MarsAqua black-boxes on my 8’ x 20”x18” and they are great and affordable. Deals on Ebay to buy all 3 at once too.

I am only replacing them with radions because I am neurotic really. If I had a nicer floating canopy I would stick with them. I have no complaints.

That size tank I would do 1x 300w and 2x 165w. or 4x 165w

Thank you. I found them on eBay for a decent price...well a lot cheaper then big brands lol. Now I need to find mounting arms to the back of the tank if there is any. I don’t want to hang them by a cable.

flyline · Nov 12, 2019

No problem look at vipraspectra too last of people use those too

Keesers · Nov 12, 2019

Hey there, what kind of coral you looking to get into? Softies LPS or SPS sticks there are some lower cost LED’s on the market if you don’t plan to go full Sticks

Saltyreef · Nov 12, 2019

Of the big brands, im an avid user of AI fixtures. Early on, they were upgradable, and ahead of the curve.
Now they seem to be at the tail end of the LED evolution but I'll say, for a comparible price light, they are very easy to work on and easily repairable by the novice user. They also last a very long time if you arent an unfortunate hobbiest thats gotten a few bad fixtures and are sour about it, they make for a great life long lighting companion.
Coming from an AI nano, to the sol, upgraded chipset to the vega color, to the hydra 26, and now the 52s, ive always bought used, and have NEVER been let down.
AI TIL' I DIE!

Nosaj82 · Nov 13, 2019

Keesers said:
Hey there, what kind of coral you looking to get into? Softies LPS or SPS sticks there are some lower cost LED’s on the market if you don’t plan to go full Sticks

Hi. I plan on starting with the LPS softies for now. However this hobby is real addictive and if i felt comfortable down the road I can see me getting into SPS lol.