Budget Lighting

[Kingkold020]

I’m looking to set up a 20 gallon long in the next few weeks. I had planned on getting the Hipagero light which was a really good deal. Bad thing is it’s not available at Amazon anymore. What are some other options in the $50 to $100 range.

Here is the link for specs: HIPARGERO LED Aquarium Light – Aquarium LED Lights 30W Saltwater Lighting with Touch Control and 3W Cree Chips for Coral Reef Fish Nano Tank

 

[sfin52]

Since you looking for a black box.
If you want a budget t5ho. hydroplanet is a good one you will have to change out the bulbs.

 

[brett_schn]

Since you looking for a black box.
If you want a budget t5ho. hydroplanet is a good one you will have to change out the bulbs.

I agree with this. the black boxes are great! Im sure @fishguy242 would love to chime in

 

[fishguy242]

hi,yep ,agree viperspectra ,way to go,lots of threads on here ,pros and cons,settings,pros outweigh the cons. happy reefing

 

[Mike from TN]

I went this way on my Evo 13.5. Also got the programmable timer to pair up with it. Ramps up sunrise and sunset. Blues and days are 2 sep channels. My corals seem very happy.

 

[Mike from TN]

 

[40g Nano]

Black boxes have the possibility to catch fire. A review on Amazon for the viparspectra black box showed a video.

 

[JGT]

Since you looking for a black box.
If you want a budget t5ho. hydroplanet is a good one you will have to change out the bulbs.

1 for vivaspectra

 

[EMeyer]

Honestly most of the low end black boxes on Amazon are the same. And theyre all fine, the anti-black-box stuff is the result of an interesting psychological phenomenon among buyers of expensive lights, not an actual problem.

When I'm buying black boxes on Amazon I just look for
1) separate plugs for blue and white channels
2) a spectrum with fewer reds and fewer warm whites

I don't think its very useful to obsess over brand names since there are so many different Chinese companies selling this stuff under a huge variety of constantly changing names. Instead I think of black boxes as a commodity. Its probably been a different company name every time I've ordered black boxes.

 

[sfin52]

Honestly most of the low end black boxes on Amazon are the same. And theyre all fine, the anti-black-box stuff is the result of an interesting psychological phenomenon among buyers of expensive lights, not an actual problem.

When I'm buying black boxes on Amazon I just look for
1) separate plugs for blue and white channels
2) a spectrum with fewer reds and fewer warm whites

I don't think its very useful to obsess over brand names since there are so many different Chinese companies selling this stuff under a huge variety of constantly changing names. Instead I think of black boxes as a commodity. Its probably been a different company name every time I've ordered black boxes.

Brs did a video the only black box that uses a heat sink is viperspecter. I be it only covers half the lights. Thats why I recommend that for a black box.

 

[Uncle99]

There’s a huge difference between the 30 watt light and the 165watt Visparspectra in terms of PUR.
30 watts might grow softies, maybe some LPS.

Lighting is second only to water chemistry, make sure you have the correct intensity and colour spectrum.

I use three Visparspectra 165watt, 4 years now, still running as new.

You can always turn higher intensity down,