Another light question, even tho I already asked one today

[Brooke24]

Ok, once again, I’m sorry about posting so often! I just want some other input on good, but more inexpensive lights for my 4 foot 90 gallon. I would prefer to not go with a black box, since they usually don’t have phone control and... I just idk, I have a few reasons I don’t want a black box. Does anyone know of any 400$ range lights, that are guaranteed to grow lps and soft coral? Many people say marine current shouldn’t be considered a reef light, or that reef brite is bad, etc and so on. I would prefer one single led for around 400$ or 450$. I wanted the reef breeders, but I’m 16 and they’re 700$. AI primes, I would need four, and are 200$ each- kessil is 800$. They’re crazy expensive, so does anyone have any actual experience with 400$ led lights, that work good with a mixed soft coral and lps tank? With anemones? Thank you, and I’m sorry for posting SO MUCH. Ha

 

[Daddy-o]

I know you dont want a black box, but for the price, the MarsAqua aint bad

 

[Brooke24]

I know you dont want a black box, but for the price, the MarsAqua aint bad

Yeah, I know black boxes usually have a lot of power but I don’t really like how you can’t completely control it. Like ramping up light and stuff, I feel like would be easier on a normal led

 

[Daddy-o]

Maybe a couple AI Primes?

 

[Brooke24]

Maybe a couple AI Primes?

I’m not sure if two would cut it for lps and soft coral. Would it? Someone told me three

 

[Brett S]

You could probably find two used Radion XR15 Pro Generation 3 lights within your $400 budget. With the generation 3 lights you would need to connect them to a computer to program them, but they can definitely ramp up and down. You can also get an upgraded communication module that would allow them to connect to the Mobius app on your phone.

 

[Reef.]

Maybe a couple AI Primes?

1 Prime is said to cover 24 inches so 2 would be perfect.

 

[Brooke24]

1 Prime is said to cover 24 inches so 2 would be perfect.

For lps and soft coral???

 

[Brooke24]

You could probably find two used Radion XR15 Pro Generation 3 lights within your $400 budget. With the generation 3 lights you would need to connect them to a computer to program them, but they can definitely ramp up and down. You can also get an upgraded communication module that would allow them to connect to the Mobius app on your phone.

Ohhh that’s true... a lot of people sell used radions

 

[Reef.]

For lps and soft coral???

AI site state they cover that area, LPS don’t generally need that much light either.

 

[Brooke24]

1 Prime is said to cover 24 inches so 2 would be perfect.

Would the par level be high enough at the bottom of my tank?? A lot of people say you need 2 primes for a 40 gal

 

[ReefRy]

Try the Orphek OR2s. I had two over my 48" 75g for over a year and they worked fine. For both I paid around $350. The downside is the mounting options kinda suck and I used a timer to control them, but for the price they provide an attractive light that my corals responded well to.

 

[Brooke24]

Try the Orphek OR2s. I had two over my 48" 75g for over a year and they worked fine. For both I paid around $350. The downside is the mounting options kinda suck and I used a timer to control them, but for the price they provide an attractive light that my corals responded well to.

Did you upgrade to something??

 

[Reef.]

Would the par level be high enough at the bottom of my tank?? A lot of people say you need 2 primes for a 40 gal

for LPS? I would think more than enough.

if you can get the radions with mounts and diffusers for your budget I would go that route but Radions even g4 still go for a lot so could be hard going.

 

[ReefRy]

Did you upgrade to something??

Yes, in both tank and lighting. I went with a 120g and a Kessil AP9X. But, to give you an idea of the value of the Orpheks, the owner of my lfs wants them for the tanks in his store when I'm finished with them. For the money they're tough to beat.

 

[Brooke24]

for LPS? I would think more than enough.

if you can get the radions with mounts and diffusers for your budget I would go that route but Radions even g4 still go for a lot so could be hard going.

Yeah, I really wanted the radions, but for me that would be an entire month of work. So basically, the amount of time I would have to work being 16 working at a pet shop would be about a month. I would easily drop the money for the reef breeders, but it’s the amount of time I work for it

 

[ReefRy]

Btw, par is about 100 on the sand to 220 on top of the rockwork, light mounted 10" off the surface.

 

[Brooke24]

Yes, in both tank and lighting. I went with a 120g and a Kessil AP9X. But, to give you an idea of the value of the Orpheks, the owner of my lfs wants them for the tanks in his store when I'm finished with them. For the money they're tough to beat.

Oh, sweet. My lfs has a beautiful frag tank, I will see what lights they’re using. I’m gonna check out the Orpheks.

 

[ReefRy]

 

[Brooke24]

Btw, par is about 100 on the sand to 220 on top of the rockwork, light mounted 10" off the surface.

Mine might be a bit less, since 90 are a little bit taller though right?