Expensive light worth it ?

[CC_N]

Do expesive light like kessils or AI Hydra really worth it ? I use Red sea ones in my mixed reef and recently bought a black box light from amazon for my fish only. I really dont see that much differents from the two softs in both tank. What do you think ?(Lights are Ocean Revive T247B)

 

[shakacuz]

there are cheaper lights in the market that put out the same PAR, maybe more than the big company names.

i regret buying my hydra 32hd/reef brite kit. it's doing a good job, but for the same price i could've had double the par and a better light spread with cheaper lights.

 

[Koh23]

No....

 

[CC_N]

what do you think about the Ocean Revive T247B ?

 

[shakacuz]

what do you think about the Ocean Revive T247B ?

i have no knowledge or experience with that light, sorry.

 

[rtparty]

"Worth it" is all relative. Depends on what you want and like.

 

[CC_N]

was reading a thread about cheap light and very impressive of that and the vipaspectra ones. Some owners even says its can grow sps !

​

 

[CC_N]

"Worth it" is all relative. Depends on what you want and like.

really don't like the way black boxes look. If its me, i'll stick with sthing better for the eye.

 

[rtparty]

was reading a thread about cheap light and very impressive of that and the vipaspectra ones. Some owners even says its can grow sps !

​

Almost any light these days can grow SPS. Some just provide more options, better spectrum, better look, etc

really don't like the way black boxes look. If its me, i'll stick with sthing better for the eye.

I can't stand the disco ball effect from LEDs. There are only a couple fixtures on the market that don't have it. Black boxes look terrible IMO

 

[Koh23]

was reading a thread about cheap light and very impressive of that and the vipaspectra ones. Some owners even says its can grow sps !

​

Why not?

Most of these boxes are more powerfull than brand named product, they cheap, customizable.....

I saw many reefs with diy led lighting, using 3w noname chinese leds that grow everything, with great coloration and growth.....

 

[Tamberav]

Depends what you mean by worth.

Some will shimmer

Some will blend better

Some will prevent shading

Some will have phone apps and 6 channel control

Some will look every clean over the tank

And some will not…

Most will grow coral even the cheap ones. They just may not do all the the above listed.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I can't stand the disco ball effect from LEDs. There are only a couple fixtures on the market that don't have it. Black boxes look terrible IMO

Inexpensive LED reef lights have improved a lot in the last 5 years.
I bet a Smat Farm LED has better spread than any light you are using.

 

[CC_N]

Why not?

Most of these boxes are more powerfull than brand named product, they cheap, customizable.....

I saw many reefs with diy led lighting, using 3w noname chinese leds that grow everything, with great coloration and growth.....

talking about modification, my area has a lot of light modders. They're insane !

 

[CC_N]

Inexpensive LED reef lights have improved a lot in the last 5 years.
I bet a Smat Farm LED has better spread than any light you are using.

Smat Farm ??? Thought those were for plants !

 

[Oscar72]

Do expesive light like kessils or AI Hydra really worth it ? I use Red sea ones in my mixed reef and recently bought a black box light from amazon for my fish only. I really dont see that much differents from the two softs in both tank. What do you think ?(Lights are Ocean Revive T247B)

I'd say yes. I use all Kessil's. I have 3 A160WE tuna blue parted with a controller over a my Red Sea 425XL and a A80 Flora in the sump. I used a A80 over my 13 gallon nano.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Smat Farm ??? Thought those were for plants !

They make Reefing LEDs now too.

 

[Utubereefer]

Do expesive light like kessils or AI Hydra really worth it ? I use Red sea ones in my mixed reef and recently bought a black box light from amazon for my fish only. I really dont see that much differents from the two softs in both tank. What do you think ?(Lights are Ocean Revive T247B)

I’ve heard great things about Ocean Revive lights. CJ’s aquarium on YouTube did some awesome stuff with those lights and I’m pretty sure that’s what @Lazys Coral House uses also

 

[GARRIGA]

My fear of black box solutions is with the quality of components used. Last I want is a fire in my house.

 

[DE FISH]

I think your good as long as the light is made to support coral growth

 

[CC_N]

if i got a new reef, i'll considered mixing branded and not as famous light. My chose will def be ReefBreeder. BRS recommend them and those look neat ! As for my fish only, still Ocean revive