Best CHEAP light?

[Saltdaddy]

I like the DSUNY leds. They have been good for me. And programmable.

 

[vetteguy53081]

MARS LED

 

[Nanorock1970]

Don't forget you can get some good stuff from folks shutting down a tank or upgrading..Softies do not need crazy SPS lighting. I'm running 2 current USA light strips. an orbit and an orbit IC in a 24 inch deep tank with zoas, shrooms, Just got a pipe organ I have up at the top of my tank and in just a week is already showing growth from when I got it.

 

[blasterman]

T5 is cheaper and better if you are just starting out stay away from leds

Yeah....the lack of dimming on T5's is such an advantage on new tanks.

Show me a T5 fixture not sold by second hand Ebay sites that matches the PAR / per $$ dollar of a black box LED.

 

[hotdrop]

Yeah....the lack of dimming on T5's is such an advantage on new tanks.

Show me a T5 fixture not sold by second hand Ebay sites that matches the PAR / per $$ dollar of a black box LED.

T5 are readily available used often locally for significant discount. Sure you can get a black box led to burn the **** out of anything for 100$ a pop but it will be built poorly, corrode quickly and you will still get pretty poor coverage. 200$ will light a 48” tank with used T5s with really little shadowing.

I picked up a used ATI dimmable for less than 200 you can get non dimable for even less.

 

[jda]

Get some used lights. Look on FB marketplace (if you can stand them), CL or the like. Keep your options open and look for any kind. A local was selling a 6 foot 150w Aquamedic MH and T5 fixture with ballasts for $40. T5 units can be cheap too.

Unless you are a unicorn, pegasus or dragon, then you will be moving past softies soon. People who say that they are going with just softies are then stay with just softies are indeed mythical creatures.

 

[hotdrop]

Get some used lights. Look on FB marketplace (if you can stand them), CL or the like. Keep your options open and look for any kind. A local was selling a 6 foot 150w Aquamedic MH and T5 fixture with ballasts for $40. T5 units can be cheap too.

Unless you are a unicorn, pegasus or dragon, then you will be moving past softies soon. People who say that they are going with just softies are then stay with just softies are indeed mythical creatures.

Agreed everyone wants to try sps eventually. That being said Some LPS could probably grow on a 2 bar T5ho fixture from home depot

 

[MeMyFishandI]

Good things come to those who wait. Keep checking the used market (craigslist, facebook reefing groups, lfs, local aquarium forums, this forum) eventually a good deal will pop up!

 

[hotdrop]

Good things come to those who wait. Keep checking the used market (craigslist, facebook reefing groups, lfs, local aquarium forums, this forum) eventually a good deal will pop up!

Agreed but certain stuff gets a much better used discount than others. Used black box and T5s are cheap because demand is low

 

[Jonreefer]

A good cheap light that isnt low on build quality or function.
The noopsyche K7 pro II lights.
I ran them on my last tank and they are very nice lights for the price. I actually have 3 coming today that I am replacing my radion XR15's with because I was disappointed with the par output from the XR15 and I wasnt spending another $300 for a 3rd XR15.
they are only $160 per light and the controller can control up to 16 lights

 

[Kjeldh]

A six bulb ATI Sunpower T-5 fixture will provide some economical relief over higher-end leds

 

[noopsyche]

Noopsyche launches APP control version. The price hasn't gone up, you can check out K7 PRO III. at noopsyche globle retail stores

 

[tbrown]

Noopsyche launches APP control version. The price hasn't gone up, you can check out K7 PRO III. at noopsyche globle retail stores

+1 @noopsyche lights! Affordable AND amazing spectrum. Bright too. Great lights.

 

[nelsonmiami]

Don't forget you can get some good stuff from folks shutting down a tank or upgrading..Softies do not need crazy SPS lighting. I'm running 2 current USA light strips. an orbit and an orbit IC in a 24 inch deep tank with zoas, shrooms, Just got a pipe organ I have up at the top of my tank and in just a week is already showing growth from when I got it.

I have 2 ic orbita on a 6ft tank was debating if its enough for softies what u think i was about to go try find something stronger or add another