budget leds 37 gallon?

[mimo91088]

So, I'm still pretty new to reefing, and I'm still running a garbage nicrew light. Everything survives and looks healthy, but I'm not getting much growth at all from my corals. I want to upgrade to a better LED light. Looking to spend less than 200 if at all possible.

What would you guys recommend on this odd size tank? (It's the same size as a 29 but 4 inches taller)

 

[James M]

Have u looked at Black boxes ?

 

[mimo91088]

I've seen it mentioned a few times, but I have no idea what they are

 

[James M]

Something like this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U...reef+light&dpPl=1&dpID=41SGXAFJFJL&ref=plSrch

 

[mimo91088]

Yea I've seen plenty in that style. I guess I just have trouble determining what's junk from what's worth buying. Would you recommend that specific model you linked?

 

[mimo91088]

My other question is with the black box, can I put it directly on my glass lid like I have my current light? I rent, and don't really want to install anything in the ceiling to hang the light.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Yea I've seen plenty in that style. I guess I just have trouble determining what's junk from what's worth buying. Would you recommend that specific model you linked?

Yes. It's a popular model around here.

 

[lapin]

If going with a black box (they do work) and you can not find a way to adjust the height be sure to get one with a dimming feature. They can be too strong and burn your corals if placed too low.

 

[James M]

I wouldn’t place that light directly on the glass

 

[Porpoise Hork]

These lights are getting some good reviews so far. They look really nice and like they are solidly built and offer decent power and fairly adjustable too. You can probably get away with only running one of them but two would do nicely and be under budget.

Pixie 30 Marine

https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Spe...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AZ9WH848PMZGG390DKSS

I just got the Asta 20 for a 5g nano reef I am setting up so we shall see how it goes with that.

 

[lapin]

So if you cant hang the thing and it doesnt come with a tank mount, you can cut 4 spacers out of plastic tubing
https://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/plastic_rods_tubes_shapes/polycarbonate_tubes/276

 

[mimo91088]

I'm having trouble picturing what you mean with the spacers lapin? Also, I should probably mention, while my current light is directly on the glass, my highest placed coral is a birds nest frag like 4 inches under the water surface which could be moved, the majority of my rockwork is probably 8 inches at least under the surface

 

[lapin]

Spacers or stand offs. You could cut 4 pieces of pipe and use them to keep the light off the glass

 

[mimo91088]

I was also looking at fluval aquasky and current usa orbit marine. Are either of these worth the money or just plain garbage? I like the black boxes I've looked at, but mounting it just looks like such a pain. I liked the spacer idea, until I read that light needs to be 10 inches off the top. Seems a little precarious to balance it on pieces that tall yea? Won't stability be an issue?

 

[ks2509]

I just got the AI PRIME HD for my IM peninsula 20 3 weeks ago and love it several of the LFS in the area are running them in some of their nano displays with good results. They are running 200 and then 10-25 depending on the mount/hanging kit.

 

[mimo91088]

Would a single AI prime be enough for my tank or would I need 2? I do like what I have seen of these. Are they only controlled via app, or can it be done manually? I don't trust my crappy phone to handle the app.

 

[ks2509]

Would a single AI prime be enough for my tank or would I need 2? I do like what I have seen of these. Are they only controlled via app, or can it be done manually? I don't trust my crappy phone to handle the app.

What are the measurements of your tank? You can turn it off and on manually but to adjust timing and colors and all you have to connect wirelessly through a computer and their sight or the app. Which in my experience the app is fairly easy to use.