Favorite "Black Box LED Light"

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Help me put together a list by letting us know what your Favorite "Black Box LED Light" is!

Thanks.

 

[MaiReef]

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/3-sbox-elite-16-ramping.html

 

[fetta]

I like my SB basic controlled by my Apex....everything is growing great

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm impressed with the 165W (really ca 120W) Mars Aqua. When I purchased (5/2015), they were only $78.....I think they are up to around $90, but still a great deal. The one thing is that it can not be controlled by a controller.....has two manual pots, one for predominantly blues, one for whites. Considering I was spending about $130 a year on new T5 bulbs, it makes this Mars Aqua disposable. Still going strong.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Bump!

 

[glagunda]

+1 on mars aqua or any cheap Chinese led boxes.

 

[jason2459]

I assume Reef Breeders are considered black box still.

I'm an instant huge fan of the Photon V2!!!

Looks very nice and at a price point one can absolutely plaster their tank with LEDs and get full 100% covereage. A very slim great looking fixture I wish wasn't hidden in my canopy. And Great customer Support!

288LEDs here now
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...nd-t5-installation-testing-and-review.292314/

 

[hyde7278]

I like my SB basic controlled by my Apex....everything is growing great

how low can you dim them with the apex and will it turn them off or do you have to shut the outlet off with apex to get them to turn off?

 

[fetta]

how low can you dim them with the apex and will it turn them off or do you have to shut the outlet off with apex to get them to turn off?

Wont turn completely off i would say about 5% then i use eb8 outlet to power off

 

[Ramon]

That light is good for sps?

 

[hyde7278]

Wont turn completely off i would say about 5% then i use eb8 outlet to power off

thanks for the reply. thats what i thought, im looking for lights for a 75g build and have apex. The biggest drawback to the SB's is with 2 lights it will take up 4 of the 8 outlets in the EB8 thats why i was checking to see if they would turn off by the apex.

 

[fetta]

thanks for the reply. thats what i thought, im looking for lights for a 75g build and have apex. The biggest drawback to the SB's is with 2 lights it will take up 4 of the 8 outlets in the EB8 thats why i was checking to see if they would turn off by the apex.

Mine only takes 2, i have a 3 way extension cord all blue to 1 and all white to the other

 

[hyde7278]

Mine only takes 2, i have a 3 way extension cord all blue to 1 and all white to the other

thats a good idea. wonder if you could wire the 2 power supplies inside the unit to one plug if you didnt care that the whites and blue would come on and go off together

 

[fetta]

Probably but dont quote me on it

 

[PoePoeDilly]

thanks for the reply. thats what i thought, im looking for lights for a 75g build and have apex. The biggest drawback to the SB's is with 2 lights it will take up 4 of the 8 outlets in the EB8 thats why i was checking to see if they would turn off by the apex.

If you're savvy enough to hack the pot, you could also install relays to kill power at the 0v signal.

 

[fetta]

Hmm have a video on that???

 

[taintstick]

I'm rockin the Galaxyhydro 165w LEDs from amazon. Purchased at about $300 for 2 units. One power cord, WIFI with app controlled on iphone. Have had great growth on all coral in my mixed reef. Have had the lights for about a year and a half. The units are super cheap right now for some reason.

 

[jason g]

I'm running two 165 watt ViparSpectra Controllable fixtures over my 150g reef tank. I only paid 220$ out the door with a two year warranty. So far so good I have a GBTA that is doing well under these lights.

Two thumbs up.

 

[Feet4Fish]

I run an Ocean Revive T247 and have had not complaints and great growth.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I like all black box LEDs. Personally, I go for the wifi controlled. I have both Mars Aqua and Populargrow(wifi). I think they are all created equal. Best part about them, is the interchangeable parts, lenses and LEDs.

My old 20 gallon used the Mars Aqua for a year. Then switched to the populargrow.


The new tank has the popular grow here. (old old picture)


Switched out LED diodes and lenses here..



Since changing LEDs, I'm having bleaching issues. But, here is working progress.