Best aquarium lights

[GillMeister]

I have Orpheks. Amazing lights. Very expensive. I just won a Noopsyche K7 in the partner drawing. I haven't received it yet but based on what I've read it's a lot of light for the money. I can't wait to check it out.

 

[Brooke24]

Hey, I have viparspectras and they are amazing for the price. I mainly have acropora (SPS) corals which are the most demanding corals and the lights are powerful enough to grow them!

Sweet! So what you’re saying is if I’m gonna get an LED I should go with those?

 

[Gernader]

Sweet! So what you’re saying is if I’m gonna get an LED I should go with those?

If you are on budget, then yes!

 

[Brooke24]

I have Orpheks. Amazing lights. Very expensive. I just won a Noopsyche K7 in the partner drawing. I haven't received it yet but based on what I've read it's a lot of light for the money. I can't wait to check it out.

Nice! Do you have Acros?

 

[Brooke24]

If you are on budget, then yes!

Nice! Is there a specific kind you have?

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Sbreef lights. Look no further. Everything else is sub-par, or overpriced.

 

[Gernader]

Nice! Is there a specific kind you have?

I’m using the 165W version and I have 3 of them for my 75G since I want it to be SPS dominant. So, you can get away with 2 of them to start with some corals, including acros.

 

[Brooke24]

Sbreef lights. Look no further. Everything else is sub-par, or overpriced.

Are they same quality as Viparspectra?

 

[Brooke24]

I’m using the 165W version and I have 3 of them for my 75G since I want it to be SPS dominant. So, you can get away with 2 of them to start with some corals, including acros.

What size do you havev

 

[Gernader]

What size do you havev

Did you mean my tank dimensions?

 

[Brooke24]

Did you mean my tank dimensions?

Yeah, and also how big are the lights? I was wondering if I have to mount them, and if I can go with two or three

 

[Brooke24]

Did you mean my tank dimensions?

And the dimensions of the actual leds

 

[highest_tides]

+1 for Viparspectra. I highly suggest searching threads on them. There's a good amount of information here from previous post. I took the advice from this board based on saving cost, but, found a good LED that grows. I'm different from the earlier poster on the first page however..I only run a LPS/Softie tank. One thing to note is how powerful these lights can be. I literally only have my white on 1% and blues 20% and nothing in the top o my tank until I can get my hands on a PAR meter.

 

[Brooke24]

+1 for Viparspectra. I highly suggest searching threads on them. There's a good amount of information here from previous post. I took the advice from this board based on saving cost, but, found a good LED that grows. I'm different from the earlier poster on the first page however..I only run a LPS/Softie tank. One thing to note is how powerful these lights can be. I literally only have my white on 1% and blues 20% and nothing in the top o my tank until I can get my hands on a PAR meter.

Woah! Sweet! Thank you! I think I am 100% going with the vipsrspectras

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Hah! VS lights fail in comparison. They're basically just overmarketed black boxes. Go checkout SB reefs website. Every single diode is tuned specifically for coral growth. Their 18" fixture is 130 bucks, has dials, comes with a hanging kit and mounting arms.

VS lights came into the picture about a year ago, now everyone recommends them on r2r because they pay for so much sponsorship. SB Reef lights are the ultimate coral light. Vs is just another remarketed blackbox.

 

[Gernader]

Yeah, and also how big are the lights? I was wondering if I have to mount them, and if I can go with two or three

Ah ok. My tank dimensions are 48” long, 18” front to back, and 21” high. You can start with two lights and use the par meter to see if you are getting enough light.

The dimensions of the 165W light are 15.3” x 12.8” x 3”.

 

[Brooke24]

Hah! VS lights fail in comparison. They're basically just overmarketed black boxes. Go checkout SB reefs website. Every single diode is tuned specifically for coral growth. Their 18" fixture is 130 bucks, has dials, comes with a hanging kit and mounting arms.

VS lights came into the picture about a year ago, now everyone recommends them on r2r because they pay for so much sponsorship. SB Reef lights are the ultimate coral light. Vs is just another remarketed blackbox.

Sweet! How long have you had them?

 

[Brooke24]

Ah ok. My tank dimensions are 48” long, 18” front to back, and 21” high. You can start with two lights and use the par meter to see if you are getting enough light.

The dimensions of the 165W light is 15.3” x 12.8” x 3”.

Nice! How long have you had them may I ask? How much growth have you had? I want something that grows super fast, and is good for them

 

[Gernader]

Nice! How long have you had them may I ask? How much growth have you had? I want something that grows super fast, and is good for them

No problem. I have been using black boxes for almost 2 years and all of my corals are growing extremely fast with vibrant colors. For my acros, I see noticeable growth every week!

 

[highest_tides]

Hah! VS lights fail in comparison. They're basically just overmarketed black boxes. Go checkout SB reefs website. Every single diode is tuned specifically for coral growth. Their 18" fixture is 130 bucks, has dials, comes with a hanging kit and mounting arms.

VS lights came into the picture about a year ago, now everyone recommends them on r2r because they pay for so much sponsorship. SB Reef lights are the ultimate coral light. Vs is just another remarketed blackbox.

Noted. I personally can't mount lights like that on the DIY tank I just setup. I make a ton but and am poor..LOL. I'm going to bookmark this though to look into more and keep looking into them for maybe sometime in the future and compare.