Budget reef lighting

[Chris’s fish]

I cant offer any useful suggestions I'm afraid, ive had a few different lights over my 20g and I ended up creating my own DIY led lights that are way better than anything on the market for the price.
If you think you'll want SPS in the future than I think you should bite the bullet now and get the correct lights. Or perhaps just wait until you can purchase them. In the long run youll be ending up spending way more money on two set of lights of you try to get cheep and affordable to get set up, then $$$ for your dream coral youll want in 6 months.

I have done lots of research and am being to realize this. I think I will start out with nicer lights, so I don’t end up wanting more difficult coral and not being able to take care of it. Do you guys think that 3 AI Primes for a 125 gallon can grow lps corals? This way If I wanted, I could always add another one on in be future when I can afford it.

 

[jda]

Prime is pretty small for a 24" area, IMO. If you are going to spend a bit more, get a larger SB Reef Light or a Photon V2.

 

[Chris’s fish]

the photon V2 Are a bit too expensive.
I know it’s really hard to find good lighting without breaking the bank. Any other LED suggestions?

 

[Jet915]

My opinion would be to invest in Chinese black box LEDs and supplement with a 2 bulb t5 fixture. Not as many bulbs to replace and will get the benefits of both types of light. Can this be done for $400?..will be tight.

I run two orbits led strips along with 2 t5 bulbs and it supports my coral fine. SPS grow but they are near the top.

 

[Ethan Zier]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[Chris’s fish]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

72Lx 18 Wx 24 tall

 

[Chris’s fish]

I run two orbits led strips along with 2 t5 bulbs and it supports my coral fine. SPS grow but they are near the top.

Are those the Orbit IC Pro LEDs?

 

[kendavjac]

I just remembered that I have an 8 bulb aquatic life t5 fixture in my closet. I got rid of it and went with LED's when to because of bulb costs. if you want it I will let you have it for $50 plus shipping. I have no idea what shipping will cost....PM if you are interested.

 

[Ethan Zier]

So my tank is similar to a 20g breeder and I built my system in the $250 range (not counting shipping) however my tank is only about 14 inches deep. If I optimized my power I could get it even brighter and reach into more depth. I think you'd need at least two 72 inch rows of lights but then your hitting the $1,250 range so that's a little outta my ball park.

 

[Ethan Zier]

Hopefully this shows the LED bar /\
I cant delete the lower pic lol

 

[peder]

New from Jebao (Radion copy?)

https://m.fish-street.com/jebao-al150-led-lighting

 

[Jay Norris]

I think that you are assuming that you will lose more than that average. No proof or tests, right?

T12 NO and VHO bulbs have been known to last 24 months, or more, with normal, everyday usage. Unless there is something drastically different with T5s (there isn't really), then this might be a better comparable than assuming otherwise. Horto folks will use T12, T8 and T5 bulbs for three years at 12 hours a day.

I think that for all but the most light demanding stuff, 24 months is probably fine. This is what I recommend to people using MH over softies, LPS and the easier SPS as well. If you are focusing on acros and clams, then that is different and probably should focus on 12 months. If you are overdriving stuff, then probably more like 6 or 8 months.

I wish I could have had my VHO bulbs last for 24months when using them, even with electronic ballast, I would have been happy with 12 months. Usually changed my VHO bulbs every 9 months when I had used them, same with the T5 bulbs.

 

[Jay Norris]

the photon V2 Are a bit too expensive.
I know it’s really hard to find good lighting without breaking the bank. Any other LED suggestions?

The Photon V2+ is the best light on the market for the money, if you ever decide to purchase the higher end lights go with the Mitra lights

 

[Chris’s fish]

The Photon V2+ is the best light on the market for the money, if you ever decide to purchase the higher end lights go with the Mitra lights

Would two photon V2+ 24s be enough if I hung them high above the tank? It says on the website that the legs stretch out to 36 inches on the 24, so I assume the light spread is that far.

 

[hawkeye792001]

Personally, I have SPS growing well with 3 black box lights that are at least 5 years old.

If I did anything to enhance my lighting, it would be to add 2 T5 lights for an led, T5 combo.

I have a 125 gallon, 6 foot tank.

I will never drop 2k on top of my tank. I also believe that LED technology is pretty solid now. Aside from diffusers on the ecotech radions they are said to be awesome. Kessel has an awesome plug and play light, AI Hydras are awesome.

That's a lot of awesome out there. Everyone will copy awesome.

My point is, the black boxes are copying what is working. I can only imagine that the next innovation is going to be awesome for less money.

They are missing at least 1/2 of reef tank owners because of pricing.

Just my 2 cents.

To sum it up, I'd use 3 black boxes over a 125, and 2 t5 retro kit.

The t5 can be added later.

 

[Jet915]

Are those the Orbit IC Pro LEDs?

Yes.

 

[CherryStReef]

You may be able to get a used ATI Sunpower for a good price. Check eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and your local fish store.

Personally, I prefer 250W metal halide Radium 20k - but there are plenty of good options!

 

[Rybren]

The Photon V2+ is the best light on the market for the money...

Out of curiosity, what makes you say that? Have tests been done? Links? I'm not trying to be an ****, but I'd really like to know why.

 

[Jay Norris]

Out of curiosity, what makes you say that? Have tests been done? Links? I'm not trying to be an ****, but I'd really like to know why.

Hi, for the money they are the best light as they use high end LED's, and power supplies, the lights are easy to program, the lights have six color channels you can independently program, the lights can be programed up and down 10 times every hour, the lights come with a 2 year warranty, the lights also have great customer service and are sold and repaired in the USA. The Photon V2+ is also a nice looking light, and I am sure I left a thing or two out that makes lights the best light for the money as of now. Now if you want to talk about high end LED's the Mitra LX7206 light is the best on todays market, as of now, hope I helped answer your questions.

 

[JBKReef]

Something outside the box a bit would be a little over your budget @ $450 dollars would be the Aquatic Life t5 hybrid. The 61 inch version of it.

Would blanket the majority of your tank and with proper placement could grow corals throughout. Then when you're ready to expand to higher demand LPS, or some easier SPS you can slip in almost any LED you would like at that time.