Good led bars under $200

[fishywishy]

I’m looking for a led bar that is under 200 bucks for my 55 gallon that can grow basic sps like montipora and birds nest and(if possible)has day and night cycles.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

What’s the best ones from there, theres a lot and idk which to pick?

I have two of the Full Spectrum ReefBar Pros. So far they’ve been great. But I do supplement with T5’s. Considering the SPS corals you mentioned you should be good with two..

 

[fishywishy]

That's too bad ..So that is why you want bars huh.

Yup

 

[ElementReefer]

I have a 55 gallon. You will not be able to buy LED that is both programmable AND has the par needed for SPS, for less than $200. Your budget is too low.

I went with 2x Nicrew 100W and the Nicrew controller. Total price about $350.

 

[ElementReefer]

You could consider a 48” AI blade, or two Fluval Marine 48”

both low profile, programmable, and ~100 watts of power

 

[748S911]

blades

 

[fishywishy]

You could consider a 48” AI blade, or two Fluval Marine 48”

both low profile, programmable, and ~100 watts of power

Is one ai enough

 

[748S911]

One will work until you need the second one when frags and corals grow out.

 

[fishywishy]

I have a 55 gallon. You will not be able to buy LED that is both programmable AND has the par needed for SPS, for less than $200. Your budget is too low.

I went with 2x Nicrew 100W and the Nicrew controller. Total price about $350.

Would two 50w or one 150w work

 

[brclark82]

I just picked up an Orbit Marine 48” with IC loop programming for only $105 on Amazon (currently $220 most places). It will only be around 75-125 par in the depths I would have corals given the charts I’ve read but you can add a second and get get 125-200 which is hard to beat for the price…I wanted ViparSpectras but couldnt find a good mounting option, I will probably end up upgrading eventually but it was hard to pass up for now while my tank matures enough to get corals anyway

 

[ElementReefer]

Is one ai enough

Theoretically, especially at higher points in the tank.

 

[ElementReefer]

Would two 50w or one 150w work

two 50W would work for about the middle 2/3rd of the tank for some SPS yeah

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Cant beat the orphek or3 bars, great blue pop and great growing power. Get 3 and dont ever look back . Very good customer service too, i have had multiple positive resolutions dealing with the company. They do reply at about 2 AM my time, but always responsive.

 

[fishywishy]

two 50W would work for about the middle 2/3rd of the tank for some SPS yeah

Would a 150 work if i put the sps directly in the center of the tank?

 

[BranchingHammer]

I've heard good things about the Quanta bars:
https://www.quantareef.com/

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yea but $200 each, no dimming, no mounts.
.
A 100w (48.1") AI Blade is $370 and controllable.

You start doubling the budget choices increase a bit

Reefbreeders lumens bars ect

They come with hanging mounts and there are aura legs for them if no hanging is possible.

 

[ElementReefer]

Would a 150 work if i put the sps directly in the center of the tank?

No the 55 is 4 feet long,, too long for one central light

 

[jon2norris]

Hopefully the 48 inch meso blues will be back in stock soon

I've heard good things about the Quanta bars:
https://www.quantareef.com/

 

[Gatorpa]

I’m looking for a led bar that is under 200 bucks for my 55 gallon that can grow basic sps like montipora and birds nest and(if possible)has day and night cycles.

Fluval marine led are under $200 I ran 2 on my 75 gallon and they did well nice app to control as well

 

[oreo54]

They come with hanging mounts and there are aura legs for them if no hanging is possible.

Thanks for the correction.
I did ignore anything hanging or brackets but wasn't aware of any tank mounts.
Skipped black boxes because of this as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the correction.
I did ignore anything hanging or brackets but wasn't aware of any tank mounts.
Skipped black boxes because of this as well.

I run all orpheks and theres many ways to mount