Coralife biocube lighting

[Ssdangeranger]

I am wanting to upgrade my biocube 32 lights. I want to be able to keep all types of coral. I’m not going rimless but I can take the top off and cover with glass or polycarbonate sheet. I will also need to find or make a canopy to house the light so it doesn’t blind anyone while sitting on the couch. I’m leaning towards the Steve’s leds because I can use the stock hood but I want longevity and I can’t find any reports on length of time. Just people saying it turns the plastic brown over time.
I have looked into a lot of lights like kessil 160a and the 360x. I’m afraid the 360x is to much light and it a little over my price with controller. The 160a seems like not enough light for sps corals. Other lights I’ve looked into is the AI hydra 32 and prime 16 I also have the same thoughts about those as I do the Kessil lights. The radion15 pro is a little over my price range by the time I add the mount. Last is the reef breeder photon 16 or 24

I just need a little guidance from people who have had these lights and help me decide what is best for me.

 

[hds4216]

I have the Steve LED's on my BioCube. I can't comment on longevity but they've been working well for me since June 15th.

 

[lancesmith1]

PM'd you

 

[lancesmith1]

Biocube 32 hood with a hydra 64 mod and steves glass splash shield.

 

[BAMatter]

I just installed Steve’s LED... I’m under the impression that the splash guard turning brown is from a lack of properly maintaining it, and cleaning the salt creep and condensation off of it. I dry mine off every night during feeding. The light and HurricaneX controller are awesome... very easy install too.

 

[chrisdurand]

I have the Steve LED's on my BioCube. I can't comment on longevity but they've been working well for me since June 15th.

Wondering if you have any heat issues with the Steve’s set up?

 

[BAMatter]

Wondering if you have any heat issues with the Steve’s set up?

They provide a way to cut some of the vents bigger, and the fan on it is more powerful than the stock fan. I have a controller on my heater and it stays within what I have it set for, +/- .2 degrees over or under. You have the option to cut the vents even larger than suggested. I can speak for the summer months, but might speculate that I’ll need an external fan to help keep the tank a little cooler than desired.