Chinabox LED units for 90g

[Mycota]

So i have a 90g aquarium im setting back up soon. I have an old rusty 8 bulb t5 unit that would need new bulbs and new reflectors. For the same price as new bulbs i could get 2 of the 165w china box led units that would hopefully eliminate my need for constant bulb changes and potentially reduce of electric cost due to more efficient lights.

Right now im leaning towards the Aquamana units:

AQUAMANA AQ LED-55x3W Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Panel for Coral, Reef & Fish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FHDEAFQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V9WLAb0CXNWQC


Anyone have any input on these lights or a similar cheap LED? Or would you recommend just sticking to the 8 bulb t5 HO unit?

On my 20g i have a kessil and love it. I prefer the shimmer and color pop over t5's. I just cant really afford 700+ on 2 more kessil lights.

This is the only thing i need to buy aside from livestock. Trying to keep setup to minimal cost. I haven't really decided on the goal with this tank but down the road i would like to try a bubble tip anemone for my clownfish to host in this new tank.

Thanks for any input!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

A bunch of Black Box LEDs float under different names but are more or less the same product. They can be good lights once you get them dialed in and there are many reefers that will vouch for their effectiveness which is worth it in my opinion if you don't have to change bulbs.

 

[Bpb]

Not a fan of that one. It's weighted heavy on 460 nm and really light on 450 nm. May not notice TOO much to the naked eye, but 450 nm is closer to that high absorption peak of chloraphyll A. The 420 nm violets are also paired on the channel with the whites, meaning you cannot run those very high without being forced to crank the reds and whites also which is a no no. The build quality on those is all pretty similar as well as the diode quality, but some are pretty carelessly laid out as far as how they have the channels and diode percentages arranged. I'd pass on this one.

Look for one that has the majority of its diodes listed as 450 nm. And that on a single channel you have both 450 nm and 420 nm diodes. You will run that channel much higher than the other. The second channel should contain the white, red green, lighter blue, or whatever colors they choose to include. You'll have the best color rendering and growth this way. This allows you to closer mimic the spectral intensities of the radium MH bulb, the ati blue+ bulb, and the ecotech AB+ program.

I dont have a specific model I can link you, but you can find them laid out correctly with some searching.

 

[redfishbluefish]

My preference on any LED that either has no adjustments or knobs to adjust, is to have two cords for the predominantly white and predominantly blue channels. This way I can use timers to have the different channels come on/off at different times. THIS light from Mars Aqua has the two cords. And, to top it off, you can daisy chain them together so that you still only have two cords to plug in.

 

[Coral Hygiene]

I use two VIPARSPECTRAs on my 90 gallon (same price as the AQUAMANAs). Each unit only has only cord; blue and white can be on separate timers.

 

[LanM]

I've researched these lights relatively extensively as well, and for $100 (cheaper than that aquamania) I prefer the 3 channel wifi Galaxyhydro/Roleadro lights-the yellow fan models. Violet/ blue are a separate channel. 3 of the blue are used as moon lights on a third channel that run when the unit is turned off (wifi control only). The whites/reds/greens are on their own channel.

 

[LanM]

Heres the link. In the past 2 months, I've purchased 3 different black boxes...and this one is the one that didn't get shipped back. I also have an AI prime HD, Hydra 26 HD. For giggles, I'll toss the light on my tiny tank and show how it looks.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Newest-WIFI-...Fish-Tank-Reef-Coral-/192295534807?nav=SEARCH

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you love the color of the kessil , I don’t know that you’ll like the black boxes.

Not sure if the dimensions of your tank ,but two a360 would very likely work.
I’d also def look into the used gear here on R2r. Ap700 do come up.

It’s not the $200 B.B. solution you might be looking for.

And becuse I’m a nut job, I’d look at that t5 fixture and see if I could shove two a36o into it an 2-4 t5 in it.

 

[LanM]

Noticed that I put the wrong link in my last post. Updated.

 

[Mycota]

Heres the link. In the past 2 months, I've purchased 3 different black boxes...and this one is the one that didn't get shipped back. I also have an AI prime HD, Hydra 26 HD. For giggles, I'll toss the light on my tiny tank and show how it looks.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Newest-WIFI-...Fish-Tank-Reef-Coral-/192295534807?nav=SEARCH

Wow these sound pretty awesome. Definitely considering them. I like the look of the wifi control.

 

[Mycota]

If you love the color of the kessil , I don’t know that you’ll like the black boxes.

Not sure if the dimensions of your tank ,but two a360 would very likely work.
I’d also def look into the used gear here on R2r. Ap700 do come up.

It’s not the $200 B.B. solution you might be looking for.

And becuse I’m a nut job, I’d look at that t5 fixture and see if I could shove two a36o into it an 2-4 t5 in it.

I definitely prefer the look of the kessil. I even run the kessil on my 20g at 0% color and the coral has responded even better than when i had the whites up on it. Definitely pretty optimized light. But I dont really want to spend $700 on lights. Although, Kessils are worth it imo.

I've honestly always liked the "disco light" effect of some other LED lights. But never owned one so i don't know if it would irritate me over time. For $200 (500 less than kessil brand) i can probably live with it.

I definitely would like to add a few t5 bulbs on my 20g to help with some of the shadowing from only having 1 kessil on it.

 

[Mycota]

Not a fan of that one. It's weighted heavy on 460 nm and really light on 450 nm. May not notice TOO much to the naked eye, but 450 nm is closer to that high absorption peak of chloraphyll A. The 420 nm violets are also paired on the channel with the whites, meaning you cannot run those very high without being forced to crank the reds and whites also which is a no no. The build quality on those is all pretty similar as well as the diode quality, but some are pretty carelessly laid out as far as how they have the channels and diode percentages arranged. I'd pass on this one.

Look for one that has the majority of its diodes listed as 450 nm. And that on a single channel you have both 450 nm and 420 nm diodes. You will run that channel much higher than the other. The second channel should contain the white, red green, lighter blue, or whatever colors they choose to include. You'll have the best color rendering and growth this way. This allows you to closer mimic the spectral intensities of the radium MH bulb, the ati blue+ bulb, and the ecotech AB+ program.

I dont have a specific model I can link you, but you can find them laid out correctly with some searching.

Thanks for all the info! I've noticed most of the lights are not really optimal or laid out weird. Definitely been looking for layouts like you describe.

 

[graffitireef]

FWIW, the black boxes are a decent alternative. Just be careful because they are often built with extremely cheap unlicensed electrical components. I bought one years ago for $300 that performed very well and came with all the bells and whistles. It was definitely better than paying $900 for the name brand light I was considering BUT it did run very hot sometimes.

 

[Legal Reefer]

Search ebay really good. Some have 90° lens and some have 120°. Some of the wifi lights are sunrise to sunset programmable and some aren't. I recently picked up two for $220.00 on ebay. I went with the 120° lens thinking it would have a better sprea

 

[Mycota]

Search ebay really good. Some have 90° lens and some have 120°. Some of the wifi lights are sunrise to sunset programmable and some aren't. I recently picked up two for $220.00 on ebay. I went with the 120° lens thinking it would have a better sprea

Awesome! I too was concerned with the lenses. 120 seems like a huge spread. How large is the tank you have them over? How is light spillage? Any other LED i have used was 90 degree lenses. Although, 120 may reduce spotlight effects. Please let me know how you like these after you have them installed over your tank

 

[Mycota]

FWIW, the black boxes are a decent alternative. Just be careful because they are often built with extremely cheap unlicensed electrical components. I bought one years ago for $300 that performed very well and came with all the bells and whistles. It was definitely better than paying $900 for the name brand light I was considering BUT it did run very hot sometimes.

Yeah. Cheap components are kind of a given at this price range.

I'm taking my time with this setup and am trying to find units that are worth it and will hopefully last a few years. So far i just have my live rock and skimmer in a brute bin curing (on about 2 months now). I still need to go get my 90g aquarium and 40g sump from my parents storage unit that is 4 hours from where i live now. Once i get the tanks and have my rocks in i will make a decision on lights. Plus i need to build a new stand and will probably try out a bean animal style drain as last time i had this one setup i just used a straight pipe and it was pretty loud. All in all i think i should be able to get this tank going again for around $300-400 as i already have everything else i would need for setup.