Best lights?

[Jvesche20]

When I started off I went to my lfs and asked them for some good lights. They showed me the best led lights that they are using. They had a ocean revive t247 black box and some other expensive led lights. I thought spending $200 on 3 boxes was a lot and didn’t think I would need the $800 lights. I also was skeptical about the led lights that where smaller than the black box. I thought there’s no way that it’s going to light up my entire aquarium but now I’m beginning to see that I might be wrong. Any suggestions on what to get next? Currently have a 125Gal tank thats 6 ft long.

 

[Water Dog]

The “best” lights will very much depend upon what you intend to keep in terms of coral as well as your budget.

 

[Jvesche20]

The “best” lights will very much depend upon what you intend to keep in terms of coral as well as your budget.

I wanna eventually get into sps but currently have mostly lps and soft. Budget really no more than $1000 per set of lights. If it goes over then that’s fine

 

[Jvesche20]

I wanna eventually get into sps but currently have mostly lps and soft. Budget really no more than $1000 per set of lights. If it goes over then that’s fine

 

[cvrle1]

It really depends on what features you want in the fixture. As long as fixture is using 3W LEDs, it will grow pretty much any coral out there (as long as tank is not some deep monster) You can go with something basic like Mars Aqua, ViparSpectra, BloomSpect, Ocean Revive T247 that yo mentioned, to something with more features like SB Reef lights and Reefbreaders Photon V2. 1st set is very basic (they are considered Chinese Black Boxes) and they only have 2 channels of control and a timer. The last 2 have a lot more features like 6 channels of control, WiFi dawn/dusk/moon and so on. In the end though, none of those features will grow corals more or better. They are nice to have for some, a must for the others, and some dont care at all about them. For 6 foot tank, you would need 3 of most of these units, with exception of SB and Reefbreaders. They come in many different sizes, so you could get away with 2 of the larger size ones. Viparspectra comes in 2 sizes as well actually, so maybe 2 of the bigger ones would work as well.

Read up on all of them, see which ones you are interested in, and then ask specific questions. You will get much better answers than just asking which light is best.

 

[Jvesche20]

It really depends on what features you want in the fixture. As long as fixture is using 3W LEDs, it will grow pretty much any coral out there (as long as tank is not some deep monster) You can go with something basic like Mars Aqua, ViparSpectra, BloomSpect, Ocean Revive T247 that yo mentioned, to something with more features like SB Reef lights and Reefbreaders Photon V2. 1st set is very basic (they are considered Chinese Black Boxes) and they only have 2 channels of control and a timer. The last 2 have a lot more features like 6 channels of control, WiFi dawn/dusk/moon and so on. In the end though, none of those features will grow corals more or better. They are nice to have for some, a must for the others, and some dont care at all about them. For 6 foot tank, you would need 3 of most of these units, with exception of SB and Reefbreaders. They come in many different sizes, so you could get away with 2 of the larger size ones. Viparspectra comes in 2 sizes as well actually, so maybe 2 of the bigger ones would work as well.

Read up on all of them, see which ones you are interested in, and then ask specific questions. You will get much better answers than just asking which light is best.

Thanks for the info. I was just afraid that my lights aren’t going to provide the correct lighting that is needed. As far as these black boxes go I’m using 26 for blue and 5 for white. I don’t have a par meter so I can’t really measure the lighting. What would be a good setting to keep it at? Is this acceptable or should I increase or decrease my power?

 

[cvrle1]

Thanks for the info. I was just afraid that my lights aren’t going to provide the correct lighting that is needed. As far as these black boxes go I’m using 26 for blue and 5 for white. I don’t have a par meter so I can’t really measure the lighting. What would be a good setting to keep it at? Is this acceptable or should I increase or decrease my power?

I may have missed it, but what lights do you currently have, and how many units? In terms of power, in general most people ramp up their blues to 70-100% and whites anywhere for 20-50% . Power is tank specific, so you have to play around until you find what works best for your tank and corals that you have. Ramp up slowly, whatever you do.

 

[Jvesche20]

I have the ocean revive t247. I was told to keep my power pretty low by my lfs they said they keep theirs at 25 for blue and 4 for white. And they got the same box so that’s what I did. I have candy cane, zoas, monti, blue ridge, bunch of soft corals, frogspawn, Duncan, hammer, and 2 anemones. My blue ridge sits right under my light and it seems to be fading its color slowly. Not sure the reason. I have another post but no one has replied. Can’t figure out what’s going on with it.

 

[cvrle1]

I have the ocean revive t247. I was told to keep my power pretty low by my lfs they said they keep theirs at 25 for blue and 4 for white. And they got the same box so that’s what I did. I have candy cane, zoas, monti, blue ridge, bunch of soft corals, frogspawn, Duncan, hammer, and 2 anemones. My blue ridge sits right under my light and it seems to be fading its color slowly. Not sure the reason. I have another post but no one has replied. Can’t figure out what’s going on with it.

If you only have 1 Ocean Revive T247 unit over your whole tank, that is your issue. 1 unit cannot provide enough light for 6 foot tank. T247 are great lights, but you would need more than 1 for sure. I think 1 unit is good for 24x24 area (I could be wrong about this), so you would need 3 at least for 6 foot tank. Also, they usually sit about 10"-12" above water line.

#reefsquad can you provide any feedback or help?

 

[Jvesche20]

If you only have 1 Ocean Revive T247 unit over your whole tank, that is your issue. 1 unit cannot provide enough light for 6 foot tank. T247 are great lights, but you would need more than 1 for sure. I think 1 unit is good for 24x24 area (I could be wrong about this), so you would need 3 at least for 6 foot tank. Also, they usually sit about 10"-12" above water line.

I have 3 units. Sorry should have mentioned that I have 1 every 2 feet

I have mine about 4-6 inches above the water. Should I raise them?

 

[SPR1968]

I suppose it depends on how much you want to spend really

I have the Hydra 26 x 4 on my Red Sea system which are fitted as standard and they are excellent but as you realise there are many choices depending on budget etc.

I can certainly recommend the Hydras anyway

 

[DMG Reef]

Your 3 Ocean Revives should be fine for your tank. I think your problem is the settings. I have mine hanging 14 inches above the water with the blues set at 60 and the whites at 20. You should make any changes very slowly, bump it up weekly and see how the corals react.

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

I don't have any experience with the ocean revive T247 lights but I do use the viparspectra lights on my tank. I noticed that my coverage to the outer edges of the tank was much better by raising my lights about 10 inches over the water. It also seemed to help diffuse the light better and reduce the shadow of over hangs. My intensities are 45 blues and 20 whites and my softies at the bottom of the tank don't seem stressed at all. As far as lps and sps it has been hit and miss as to their acceptance of the super directional and intense light. Two of my lps love the light about halfway up the tank but the chalice bleached and had to hide in the rocks for awhile. Three of my sps love the light at the top but again one encrusting Monti had to be hidden in the rocks and is recovering.

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

My advice is to raise your lights a little bit and just take it slowly when you raise your intensity adding only 2-3 points intensity per week. When adding new corals just be sure to lower your intensity a little bit and keep your new frags low in the tank until they get a chance to adjust and you can watch to see how they handle the new lighting.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Great advice provided here!

As stated, raise them up.....10 - 14 inches is a good height.

In lieu of an expensive PAR meter, a LUX meter can be used to dial in your fixtures. Using a conversion factor provides an estimate of PAR. And the great news, you can pick one up for 10 -15 dollars.

Search the site for info on using a LUX meter....if not, @saltyfilmfolks is our resident expert!

 

[Jvesche20]

Great advice provided here!

As stated, raise them up.....10 - 14 inches is a good height.

In lieu of an expensive PAR meter, a LUX meter can be used to dial in your fixtures. Using a conversion factor provides an estimate of PAR. And the great news, you can pick one up for 10 -15 dollars.

Search the site for info on using a LUX meter....if not, @saltyfilmfolks is our resident expert!

Awesome I’ll have to go get one. Does a LUX meter show everything that I need to know when it comes to par if I convert it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-lux-meter-how-do-i-use.368945/#post-4549549

 

[Jvesche20]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-lux-meter-how-do-i-use.368945/#post-4549549

I kinda understand but if I’m looking for the par do I stick the meter under water and divide by what you said in that post? Or is the LUX meter not waterproof?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I kinda understand but if I’m looking for the par do I stick the meter under water and divide by what you said in that post? Or is the LUX meter not waterproof?

With most leds, you Devide lux by 60 to get par.
6000 lux 100 par.

You can get a submersible , or a ziplock bag. Or just make the estimate at the top of the water.

Should be a pretty good walk though in that thread.

 

[hawkeye792001]

I have 3 old black boxes. I actually saw my lfs has them on their tanks. They put them i , in 2010. They said they only replace them if they break. For the most part, they said they haven't really replaced them for breaking, but due to foot from the salt water corroding them.

I have 3 black boxes on my 6 foot 125. They have grown everything I put in so far.

After watching the last BRS lighting video, I'm thinking about adding some T5 bulbs. A reto kit and lights is around 200.

I cannot afford to drop thousands on lighting.

With that said, I'm not always a fan of high tech lighting. I see wifi options as more of a pain.

You set up your lighting and then basically leave it. After so many years companies stop supporting their older products with tech updates and you eventually something doesnt work.

I'd rather have knobs to adjust lights and t5 to supplement......but so far, I dont have the t5 on my tank and things still do fine.