first time light scare

[Jellyfishmon]

I have decided lights are my enemy, for the past week iv been struggling with what light I should get and so far iv narrowed it down to LEDs because I find that when you take the cost of T5's bulb price and power consumption even buying a cheap fixture will end up costing the same as a decent LED.

But nonetheless that still only slightly narrows down my search. So I was hoping I could get some help with my problem, here is what im looking for and my specs

1. Under $300
2. Strong enough to keep soft, LPS and BT anemones healthy
3. Minimal disco effect if any (I think diffusers can help with this though)
4. good coverage

my tank is a corner bowfront 24" deep, front to back 35", and front (without bow) is 48"

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

18” SBreeflight. Pull some of the lenses.
Grow anything.

Marsaqua the same. Vita spar and bloomspect also decent. A bit cheaper.

 

[Jellyfishmon]

im debating between the Marsaqua and Viparsectra what ones better quality as they pretty much cost the same

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Probably exactly the same light depending on what day the make em.
. And the quality control is just theoretical really.

Both are known names here. Few real problems and def grow coral well.

The Sb have a 2 year warranty and good QC. Thus the difference in price.

 

[ReefSlice]

Viparspectras seem to have better spread, with mars having hot spots you have to watch for. However I have a marsaqua and love it for what it is. Very heavy however.

 

[Jellyfishmon]

Do they make diffusers for these as I find disco floors repulsing and is the main down side that makes me almost want to just get a T5 and strap some LED strips on the side for a hybrid
or is that not a problem with vipars?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Viparspectras seem to have better spread, with mars having hot spots you have to watch for. However I have a marsaqua and love it for what it is. Very heavy however.

A fwiw , all are the same wattage led with a 160 degree primary lens , then either a 60-90or 120 degree lens is installed on top of that. Each brand does or will use a combo of 2 or all three.
The 120 being widest and highest apparent loss of power and 60 being the narrowest and most condensed and powerful beam.
Pulling the secondary Lenses or some of them is pretty common.

You get a little less par power but better spread.

I pulled most of mine(too shimmerey) but left a lot of the white and blue as stunner strips and to keep some power.

 

[wesman42]

Do they make diffusers for these as I find disco floors repulsing and is the main down side that makes me almost want to just get a T5 and strap some LED strips on the side for a hybrid
or is that not a problem with vipars?

I've not had any problems with a disco on my vipar, but I do on the Mars aqua.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do they make diffusers for these as I find disco floors repulsing and is the main down side that makes me almost want to just get a T5 and strap some LED strips on the side for a hybrid
or is that not a problem with vipars?

Also a good option. Cheap t5 and a current orbit marine or fluval led.

At your price pont its tough.

 

[Jellyfishmon]

what do you mean by this?

Pulling the secondary Lenses or some of them

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

what do you mean by this?

See the rest of that post.

There is a small lens on the led emitter(primary) and a secondary lens over it.
60 90 120 degree.

You can remove the secondary lens.

It actually doesn’t void the warranty on an SBreeflight led.

 

[Jellyfishmon]

Thank you both for all your help.
Iv chosen the vipar, I would have picked the SB but from what I can tell it cant change spectrum and is too purple for me. If im wrong and it indeed can change them please let me know

 

[ReefSlice]

Just to confuse you a little more... There's a few $100 Amazon t5 fixtures that have a good rep, check out the video tidal gardens put up on them. If you want something no brainer for your first light, I definitely wouldn't overlook t5. Unbeatable coverage and blending.

 

[MaiReef]

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/2-new-sbox-18-pro-timer.html
The warranty and change in spectrum is worth it

 

[Jellyfishmon]

like I said before I was going to get a cheap $100 T5 and put some led strips on it but I would need to switch out the bulbs with some good ones and that will make them cost around 200 anyway not to mention the upkeep cost of them.

 

[Dana Riddle]

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/2-new-sbox-18-pro-timer.html
The warranty and change in spectrum is worth it

I'm not familiar with that brand, but was impressed with the background (absorption of chlorophylls a and c; peridinin) posted on their website.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but was impressed with the background (absorption of chlorophylls a and c; peridinin) posted on their website.

Mike at SB is a pretty interesting guy. He’s been in diy fixtures and coral for a very long time. Clearly he also follows the actual science.

 

[Cary]

Does anyone have a picture or layout of the new 18" spectrum? I know they changed some placement of 450nm and 420 nm, but can't find a picture.

 

[dputt88]

reef breeders