Best Reef lights for under 180?

[big man]

I wanted to upgrade the light I have. Because it's not strong enough for corals I have and want to get. So what are some good light recommendations for 180 and under?

 

[InactiveAcct]

Can you send pic and dimensions of your current setup?

 

[big man]

Dimensions 3ft L 16 inW 20inH

 

[AKG]

Dimensions 3ft L 16 inW 20inH

$180 total or $180 per light?

 

[InactiveAcct]

I’m partial to T5s, I started around 2006 so yeah it’s a little old school. Hard to screw up. Odyssea (top dog sellers on eBay) is what I use and I like it. Recommend switching to ATI bulbs (2X blue plus)

 

[Jedi1199]

Best light for under $180? For a reef? Well if you can direct sunlight into your tank, that would be under $180.. if you are thinking LED or MH, no chance.

Your best bet would be T5's. That MIGHT get you set for around 180, but I doubt you could get it all done for under that.

Reality is, lights are both the most expensive, and also the most important equipment we have. This is not a place to go "cheap". Get quality high end lights from the start and you will be happier for it in the end.

 

[InactiveAcct]

Best light for under $180? For a reef? Well if you can direct sunlight into your tank, that would be under $180.. if you are thinking LED or MH, no chance.

Your best bet would be T5's. That MIGHT get you set for around 180, but I doubt you could get it all done for under that.

Reality is, lights are both the most expensive, and also the most important equipment we have. This is not a place to go "cheap". Get quality high end lights from the start and you will be happier for it in the end.

I’ve seen decent tanks with the $90 Phlezon black boxes - but I wouldn’t do that without buying / renting/ borrowing a par meter.

 

[mehaffydr]

If you go LED you could go Black boxes or Noopschyce but with 36" you will need 2 lights and your budget only allows for 1 light

 

[AKG]

Tbh the cheapest LED option for growing anything is probably a blue bar from one of those Chinese manufacturers, or a quanta pro bar from Mahina Corals.

Cheapest nicer step up is probably two bars or two Nicrew 150w hyperreef which is what I'm running on all my tanks except the 15 and they are really nice in terms of spectrum and output.


I'll be honest though I hope you are investing in enough flow for the tank. People generally skimping on lights don't realize flow is actually more important. You can grow corals with sunlight but if you have no flow you're gonna struggle.

To;Dr

My two cents, if I had $180 for lights, is get a 36" Quanta Pro bar and live with the results of a daylight tank as that will have the most growth until you can afford the fancy blue spectrums everyone holds so dearly but won't be as efficient as whites. The LED T5 bulbs used to replace normal T5 bulbs will probably do fine too for budget reefing. It just won't be anything highlighter neon colored to write home about imo.

 

[big man]

$180 total or $180 per light?

180 total

 

[Jedi1199]

I’ve seen decent tanks with the $90 Phlezon black boxes - but I wouldn’t do that without buying / renting/ borrowing a par meter.

I've personally run thru several "black box" options. I can't recommend any of them. I finally bit the bullet and went with "Kessil A360 x TB" for my system. Yes they are expensive, but they are the best lights I have had on my system so far. I have 4 over my 135g and they are awesome.

 

[AKG]

180 total

Try buying the T5 led bulbs that replace normal T5 bulbs and see what your par looks like by renting a meter with the money you save not buying reef specific lighting.

You'll need to mount the ceiling with a chain but with a swag hook and toggle bolt you'll be fine under 30 lbs.

If you need a cheap drill your neighbor might have one if you buy them a 6 pack of beer or give them some brownies, which are like $1.50 plus a egg.

I know if my neighbor came to me with brownies knowing I had a drill, I'd let them borrow it for a hour or two.

 

[exnisstech]

With that big rock structure in the center you could go with a smatfarm for $130 and place it in the middle over that rock. You could add another later or upgrade as funds allow. No need to light the tank from corner to corner.

 

[AKG]

With that big rock structure in the center you could go with a smatfarm for $130 and place it in the middle over that rock. You could add another later or upgrade as funds allow. No need to light the tank from corner to corner.

This is true if OP doesn't want sps in all of the tank and is willing to settle with a light gradient.

That said virtually a lot of LPS and softies will grow faster in high light and high flow so if they care about growth it may be worth considering going with T5. I don't think it's a bad idea, it's just a higher electrical bill, but those LED T5 bulbs I see now may be worth trying.

 

[big man]

I searched market place and I found someone selling a hydra 26 hd for 150$. Would that have enough coverage in my tank

 

[william Lutman]

With that big rock structure in the center you could go with a smatfarm for $130 and place it in the middle over that rock. You could add another later or upgrade as funds allow. No need to light the tank from corner to corner.

I have this light too. Like it

 

[mjszos]

I searched market place and I found someone selling a hydra 26 hd for 150$. Would that have enough coverage in my tank

These are recommended for 18x18 with a max of 24x24, so it'd be a good starting point to light the center of the tank (depending on your current inhabitants), with the ability to add another down the line.

 

[My1k]

With that big rock structure in the center you could go with a smatfarm for $130 and place it in the middle over that rock. You could add another later or upgrade as funds allow. No need to light the tank from corner to corner.

I purchased this light and love it. Good coverage and can be programmed. Amazon has good return policy, so you can try

 

[ZoWhat]

I'd say Radion G6s...

$180 cash and the rest with your friends cc#

 

[Jedi1199]

Bottom line...


You have a 36" wide tank. Most, if not all, LED lights are designed to fill a 24x24x20 field. You are going to need 2 lights no matter what light you choose. I would advise against the SmatFarm lights suggested above. I used the same light on my 32g and it was garbage. Again, this is not a place to go cheap. Get quality lights. You will be happier for it.