Best aquarium lights

[Fish_Sticks]

Sweet! How long have you had them?

I spent 2 years trying out black boxes, and still have them - they work fine, but their colors and wavelengths are as goofy as it gets once you see sbreefs. Been running SB's since 2016 and the coloration and coral growth is perfect.

I'll say it again... everything else is subpar or overpriced.

Dont get me started on wavemakers...

 

[Brooke24]

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!

Awesome. Does it come with a mounting system or will it only let me hang?

 

[Gernader]

Awesome. Does it come with a mounting system or will it only let me hang?

It comes with the hanging wires. You would have to make a DIY mount if you can’t hang. However, there are many threads on here that explains how to make one.

 

[Brooke24]

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.

I’m so conflicted? VS is a bit cheaper, but SB reef says they’re the strongest black box. I’musing my FluvalSmart light just for filtering, with no fish or viral in it or anything. During the cycle, I am going to sage up for my lights; how much growth do you get with your VS’s?

 

[Brooke24]

I spent 2 years trying out black boxes, and still have them - they work fine, but their colors and wavelengths are as goofy as it gets once you see sbreefs. Been running SB's since 2016 and the coloration and coral growth is perfect.

I'll say it again... everything else is subpar or overpriced.

Dont get me started on wavemakers...

HA! What Wanamaker do you have?

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Jebao trumps all in that department. Everything else, like all equipment in this hobby, is subpar or waywaywaywaywayyyyyyyyy overpriced. Ecotech can take a hike.

 

[highest_tides]

Multiple polyp growth, everything very full and healthy looking, torch and hammers seem to love it and are constantly very full looking. My frogspawn and duncan continue to grow with clear development seen week by week. I feel like it's probably no different really but I love the black boxes now and I own 3 AI lights. To me the price wasn't worth it. You're just going to have to decide with your own variables in play. To me those are price/growth/length of light.

 

[sawdonkey]

Wait, people have strong opinions on lights!!!???? Let’s see those full tank shots with the recommendations!

I only have experience with one type of cheap LED, so there my be better out there, but this is my previous tank grown completely under ocean revive T247s ($169 ea). I have Orphek now on my current tank, which are $$$, but growth is no better/worse.

 

[sawdonkey]

Jebao trumps all in that department. Everything else, like all equipment in this hobby, is subpar or waywaywaywaywayyyyyyyyy overpriced. Ecotech can take a hike.

Tell that to my trash can of jaebos that have died over the years.

 

[Brooke24]

I’m so conflicted? VS is a bit cheaper, but SB reef says they’re the strongest black box. I’musing my FluvalSmart light just for filtering, with no fish or viral in it or anything. During the cycle, I am going to sage up for my lights; how much growth do you get with your VS’s?

Jebao trumps all in that department. Everything else, like all equipment in this hobby, is subpar or waywaywaywaywayyyyyyyyy overpriced. Ecotech can take a hike.

I have a 1500 GPH Hydor Koralia, I got it for 50$ new from bulk reef supply

 

[Brooke24]

Jebao trumps all in that department. Everything else, like all equipment in this hobby, is subpar or waywaywaywaywayyyyyyyyy overpriced. Ecotech can take a hike.

Will you PM me a picture of your tank?? I’m so interested

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Tell that to my trash can of jaebos that have died over the years.

I'll let you know when one of my eight dies out. You're supposed to clean your equipment, you know?

 

[Fish_Sticks]

I'll let one of my frag racks speak for itself.

 

[Brooke24]

I'll let one of my frag racks speak for itself.

Your tank is beautiful!

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Your tank is beautiful!

Sbreefs are no joke.

 

[Brooke24]

Wait, people have strong opinions on lights!!!???? Let’s see those full tank shots with the recommendations!

I only have experience with one type of cheap LED, so there my be better out there, but this is my previous tank grown completely under ocean revive T247s ($169 ea). I have Orphek now on my current tank, which are $$$, but growth is no better/worse.

Your tank is so pretty

 

[Brooke24]

Sbreefs are no joke.

Do they come with a mount?

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Do they come with a mount?

Both a hard adjustable mount and hanging mounts. I just sit them on the 215's glass lids.

 

[Brooke24]

Both a hard adjustable mount and hanging mounts. I just sit them on the 215's glass lids.

I’m sold. I’m sixteen, and have a long time ahead of me in this hobby so I wanna get what’s right for the price while I’m ahead! Plus I have a ball python, crested gecko, and green cheek Conure (and work at a pet store) so money leaves my bank account right when I get paid ha! I wanted to make sure I got what was worth it for my money.

 

[Brooke24]

Both a hard adjustable mount and hanging mounts. I just sit them on the 215's glass lids.

Plus I have a 15 gallon salt biocube