Hey new here looking for some advice.

Woodle · Jul 28, 2021

Hey all! I recently purchased a used tank, 48"w 24"d 18.5"h. Just wondering about affordable lighting? Or what other options are available to cover the area and not cost a fortune.

Thanks

Peace River · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! There are lots of opinions on lighting and various meanings of "affordable" - a few places to start looking are ReefBreeders, Noopsyche, and ViparSpectra. Good luck with whatever you choose!

PeterC99 · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

Definitely follow the Marketplace. Can find some great deals on used lights.

Fish Think Pink · Jul 28, 2021

Woodle said:
Hey all! I recently purchased a used tank, 48"w 24"d 18.5"h. Just wondering about affordable lighting? Or what other options are available to cover the area and not cost a fortune.

Thanks

Welcome!

If you are doing a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) then you can go with nearly anything. If you are doing corals, still many options but tends to be pricier. To start cycling, you don't need light - in fact many advise off/dim lighting to begin

Glad you joined.

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Screwgunner · Jul 28, 2021

Viparspectra, phlizon,wills are all black boxes. Vipers are the best at 140 apiece, phlizon 165 watt 80 apiece 2nd wills not sure .you will need 2 for a 4 foot tank. These are the phlizons.

Reefer58 · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome! +1 on market place or anyone local to you. You can find great low price deals on many different lights/equipment when people are breaking down their tanks or upgrading. But, if you want new lights then I’m sure lots of others here with more experience will help you with brands/names!

lavoisier · Jul 28, 2021

Howdy and welcome. Good advice from all of the above.

Screwgunner · Jul 28, 2021

Brs recomends 18 inches above the water. I run mine 100% blue and 10% whites.

Screwgunner · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to R2R.

Jeffcb · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Fred2482 · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome! Best of luck finding lighting.

KJ · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

Losirk · Jul 28, 2021

Woodle said:
Hey all! I recently purchased a used tank, 48"w 24"d 18.5"h. Just wondering about affordable lighting? Or what other options are available to cover the area and not cost a fortune.

Thanks

You can definitely get 2 Viparspectras off of ebay for around $215 total.

SPR1968 · Jul 28, 2021

Hi and welcome to Reef2Reef!

69reefman · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome to R2R

Woodle · Jul 28, 2021

Wow thanks for all the options. I have definitely been looking to see if I can find some used, but I will try market place. Also will look into the other suggestions. I would like to do some coral with this one as my current is a 29 gallon coralife fowler. I did try some corals but the light just barely keeps a toadstool and mushroom alive.

dwair · Jul 28, 2021

Woodle said:
Hey all! I recently purchased a used tank, 48"w 24"d 18.5"h. Just wondering about affordable lighting? Or what other options are available to cover the area and not cost a fortune.

Thanks

Welcome to Reef2Reef! I'd say Chinese Blackboxes are the best from what I've heard.

DKPminus · Jul 28, 2021

Welcome.. and yes, deciding what kind of tank you want to create plays a big part in what you will need and how much you spend. As starting out you could go less expensive basic and run mostly fish and rock with some basic soft corals and expand later if you want to get more into reefing. I have 3 viper spectra 165s over my 72x30x24. Due to space my lights are prob a little closer than norm but, work with what we got. Good luck and happy reefing.

Woodle · Jul 28, 2021

Thanks again! Ya I would like to get some good ones......eventually. but just looking for something budget friendly at the moment to bridge the gap so to speak.