Full spectrum light?

[tmscott89]

I have a 48 inch 90 gallon tank with one 4 foot blue bar light and a 36 inch blue and white led light. Looking to buy a 48 inch full spectrum light.
Best suggestions? And although I know you pay for what you get with most lights, I’m really looking to stay under $120.

 

[Scorpius]

$120 wont get you much. I vote T5's. You can find cheap fixtures on Amazon.

Cheap. Reliable. Effective. Choose two.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Get a cheap T5 secondhand on Facebook marketplace.

 

[tmscott89]

 

[tmscott89]

I’m assuming something like this wouldn’t work?

 

[MSB123]

no. only 33 watts. You need much more power. Look at noopsyche lights- noopsycheUSA.com

I’m assuming something like this wouldn’t work?

 

[tmscott89]

Thanks for the info? What’s the minimum and range I should shoot for to have great lighting for corals

 

[ReeferReefer]

Thanks for the info? What’s the minimum and range I should shoot for to have great lighting for corals

Something like this will be your cheapest option.

https://growershouse.com/sun-blaze-t5-ho-44-4-ft-4-lamp-240v

If you want leds your looking at around $200 minimum for 2 Chinese black boxes.

MarsAqua Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Lighting Full Spectrum for Fish Freshwater and Saltwater Coral Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4oA-CbQEYYZSP

If you increase you budget, you can get better quality leds. SB Reeflights would be the next step up.

https://sbreeflights.com/

 

[tmscott89]

I do like the mars aqua lights. Just would have to think of a way to hang them

 

[Steven Garland]

ReefBreeders has a FS led bar $160-$185 You can do custom layout and everything for about $25 extra,which is the $185 price point.

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/lumenbar-color-c-48/

 

[tmscott89]

I actually have the original lumenbar in just the royal blue. But I just figured I needed something more since it’s so thin and my tank is almost two feet in width

 

[Steven Garland]

How high is it off the tank ?

A second one would be beneficial then,just running them fairly close to one another keeping them from not blending good enough.

 

[tmscott89]

Not high at all. I just have about 3 inches of egg crates elevating it up off the tank. So I guess if I just bought a second one with the custom lights it would be good enough to grow coral between the two?

 

[ReeferReefer]

I think dedicated individual fiaxures like the Mars aqua would give you a lot more power.

 

[tmscott89]

I agree. I love the mars aqua lights and two would be great. Again just run in to the problem of hanging them. I’d have to find someone way build some custom stands.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Do you have a canopy? How are your lights mounted now?

 

[tmscott89]

 

[ReeferReefer]

You have a couple options. You can create more egg crate supports for them.

You could use the included hanging kit to hang from the ceiling.

You can wall mount a bike hook, shelf, TV arm or anything really, and then hang off of those.


Or you can create some diy arms.

You can also Google Diy Chinese black box reef led and find a ton of different ways people have done them.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_tid=2625993&share_fid=1489&share_type=t

 

[tmscott89]

How high would the egg crates need to be for those T5s?

 

[ReeferReefer]

An inch or two would be fine. Don't forget to factor in bulb prices with T5s too.

Again, if you are on budget I would highly recommend looking at second hand gear from your local reef club. You can get some great deals for on lighting and other equipment.