How are blackbox's budget?

[Jay Norris]

You can get something like the reef breeders that have built in timers and ramping. A little more expensive but also worth it.

I have hydra 26 hds on one tank and a reefbreeders photon on another. Both look great and the growth I'm getting is similar (reefbreeders seems slightly better but I think it is due to the age of the tank).

I also like the Photons, as I have a Photon V2+32" fixture over my fuge, and I have really good growth with any type of coral I have in there, will be getting another Photon for my sump. I also have the Mitra LX 7206 lights over my display, and the one main reason I didn't go with the Reef Breeders over my display was how smooth the ramp up, and down of the Mitras was compared to the Reef Breeders, it had nothing else to do with the Reef Breeders, as they both grow corals really well, and I like the out put of both lights. With the Reef Breeders you need to have them higher above the tank to eliminate the Disco Ball effect, and the Mitras use parabolic reflectors to diffuse the light like the M/H reflectors thus no Disco Ball effect and a more even spread of the light, and a lot less shadowing. This is also the reason I think the Mitras are the best high end lights on the market, with Orpheks a very close second.

 

[actik]

Let's continue our discussion and I will hit on this when it comes time to actually turn on the lights. OK?

Looking forward to working with you on your project *Buddy*

you are my missleading hero, i like it.

 

[kdogginz]

@actik I know you’ve already made your purchase but I’ll still give you my opinion. I’m running the AI Hydra 26hd and 52hd on to of my tanks. I love the features they have with the app, which is why I decided to get the 52s on my new tank instead of the reefbreeders light.

I have a friend with an older black box and he has had amazing results in both growth and color. There is also a lfs near me that runs only Ocean Revive lights and again, amazing growth and color.

I think that one of the main reasons to get the more expensive lights is the ease of use and adjustability that comes with them. While they may have better leds or a better spectrum range or whatever, you can still get really good results with the cheaper lights, with a little more work.

I highly recommend the Reef Breeders lights as well as the Ocean Revive lights if you are on a budget and can do without all of the bells and whistles that come with something like Hydras or Radions.

 

[dantimdad]

you are my missleading hero, i like it.

The teacher is only as good as his student...

 

[actik]

The hardest decisions i have personally had with this hobby so far has been how far do i want to go? This is a sort of trial after all, maybe i wont like it or maybe ill continue to have this passion so i have tried to set myself up not to go too deep. But also have enough wiggle room to play and experiment. Originally for an squarium i almost went with a nuvo 10, then after reading and thinking how limited i would be i jumped up to a Nuvo 20. Not a huge difference but i also tried to do the same thing with lighting, tried to get something fairly cheap that i could use on both smaller and larger giving me coral experience depending how deep i want to go. I do appreciate all tips and advice as i know it will either help me now or later down the road

 

[dantimdad]

The hardest decisions i have personally had with this hobby so far has been how far do i want to go? This is a sort of trial after all, maybe i wont like it or maybe ill continue to have this passion so i have tried to set myself up not to go too deep. But also have enough wiggle room to play and experiment. Originally for an squarium i almost went with a nuvo 10, then after reading and thinking how limited i would be i jumped up to a Nuvo 20. Not a huge difference but i also tried to do the same thing with lighting, tried to get something fairly cheap that i could use on both smaller and larger giving me coral experience depending how deep i want to go. I do appreciate all tips and advice as i know it will either help me now or later down the road

Very smart plan! We are here for just these reasons. I want you to enjoy this hobby and grow with it.

 

[actik]

Morning Steven lol.

 

[dantimdad]

I caught that. Of course, no one else did. Did they buddy?

LOL!

 

[actik]

nah, that was sneaky.

 

[actik]

Sort of an interesting thing to share, before i had asked for help on this forum i contacted a petstore 40 minutes away told them my tank size and i was looking for lighting. Today he called back saying i was wasting my time and just to turn my 20g into a fresh water because anything under 50g was a waste of time and money because the light cost more than the tank. ..... lol. Glad i came here :

 

[dantimdad]

Sort of an interesting thing to share, before i had asked for help on this forum i contacted a petstore 40 minutes away told them my tank size and i was looking for lighting. Today he called back saying i was wasting my time and just to turn my 20g into a fresh water because anything under 50g was a waste of time and money because the light cost more than the tank. ..... lol. Glad i came here :

Ignore those kinds of people. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

They probably spell color colour too. Oh, wait! So do you. LOL! ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[actik]

;Facepalm

 

[carbene]

Blackbox grows coral. My experience with them is that you get disco through the rockworks, which is purely aethestic.

 

[zqrc10gt]

Since you're going to go with a black box 165 definitely try to see if it lists what diodes are used my recommendation would be either a SB Reef basic or the bloom spec. The only thing I like more about the bloom spec is that it has a timer, one cord and you can get two day shipping from Amazon

Would 1 165w work for a 40 breeder mixed reef tank?

 

[zqrc10gt]

Black Box LEDs are both loved and hated. There is however no doubt whatsoever that they work and grow coral very well. I nearly went with BB to light my reef tank. Many people can not afford the high end LED lights and sadly thats the trend this hobby has taken, high end and pricey. Lower cost alternatives help the hobby by getting newcomers started without a huge price tag shock. I may have really wanted my tank to run on all EM products but my budget did not agree with me and if it was not for lower priced china products and used equipment I would not be reefing again.

Same here I have done several diy projects one being a sump. With out them I wouldn't be where I am in this hobby!

 

[Reeferguy365]

Would 1 165w work for a 40 breeder mixed reef tank?

I would suggest 2 but u could definitely get by with 1. I'm only using 3 on my 180 gallon but plan on adding 3 more.

 

[zqrc10gt]

I would suggest 2 but u could definitely get by with 1. I'm only using 3 on my 180 gallon but plan on adding 3 more.

That kinda what I thought I could always add another when I get little more cash. Is there any specific brand that would be suggested? Example better heat shrinks, fans, or programmers?

 

[Reeferguy365]

That kinda what I thought I could always add another when I get little more cash. Is there any specific brand that would be suggested? Example better heat shrinks, fans, or programmers?

I would probably go with the bloomspect off Amazon or an SB Reef basic those are the two I use both work great

 

[Saveafish]

I really think I know where the love/hate relations to black boxes came from. Until something was said, posted and taken out of context, it was all about the black box. I'm about 99% sure on this. To keep calm waters ill keep it to myself. It's made me think of doing a YouTube channel calling out the tang poo in companies.

 

[zqrc10gt]

I really think I know where the love/hate relations to black boxes came from. Until something was said, posted and taken out of context, it was all about the black box. I'm about 99% sure on this. To keep calm waters ill keep it to myself. It's made me think of doing a YouTube channel calling out the tang poo in companies.

Sorry little confusion on what your say. What do u mean?