Getting back into the hobby after almost a decade break. Setting up a 120 and trying to decide on which LED to go with. I have always used MH on my systems before but i really like the idea of less heat and power consumption of LED Im planning to keep mostly SPS with some LPS. Unfortunate i cant really afford any of the really high end fixtures so i was hoping for some advice on what my best options are. Id definitely need to stay under $1000. Under $500 would be great but i will spend a little more if its really worth it.
LED for a 120
- Thread starter K.miller
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I prefer a combo of T5 and LED myself, if it were my tank and that budget in mind I'd grab a T5 fixture, maybe even used, and add LED's to that, just a suggestion.
My 120g uses a Giesseman 4x T5 and I have 2x LED strips, panorama pro's at this time(Plan to swap to stronger reefbrites soon)
This gives me growth and shimmer w/ less heat and energy
My 120g uses a Giesseman 4x T5 and I have 2x LED strips, panorama pro's at this time(Plan to swap to stronger reefbrites soon)
This gives me growth and shimmer w/ less heat and energy
At the price point you mention above, the Hydra's would be out of budget unless you find used ones at a good price. My current tank has a similar footprint to a 120G but is slightly larger and I'm running 3-52HD's over it and would consider a 4th down the road once my SPS get larger (roughly about 3-4" each now) as I'm expecting there will be some shading that will need to be addressed. If you're looking at a mostly SPS dominated tank, you're not going to want to hold back on the number of units you need, so make sure you have an appropriate spread of light. You don't need a top of the line unit, search the boards for the black box LED tanks as many have had success with them and they should fall within your budget.
What size is your 120g tank, and do you have a center brace at the top? If it is regular 4 x 2 x 2 tank, and you have center brace, it may be better to get 2 smaller units. Having one large unit over the whole tank with center brace could create some shadows.
K.miller
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It is a standard 4x2x2 with a center brace. I was also thinking 2 smaller units would be better. Which leaves me deciding between the 2x Viparspectra 165 or 2x OceanRevive Artic T247 or 2x Mars Aqua. They all seem so similar im having trouble deciding. I wish i could afford 2 of the higher end units but its just not really in the cards at the moment. Especially since i still have to buy a skimmer
The or has better programming.
The two Black boxes have more power.
I’d honestly go for three black boxes for even coverage. Or three OR.
Do look at SBREEFLIGHT Black boxes and the ultra and also reefbreeders.
Some do also use a 32in (300w) black box with good sucess as well.
The two Black boxes have more power.
I’d honestly go for three black boxes for even coverage. Or three OR.
Do look at SBREEFLIGHT Black boxes and the ultra and also reefbreeders.
Some do also use a 32in (300w) black box with good sucess as well.
Quick question for you. How would 3 units work with black, plastic center brace? Would brace cause issues do you think, seeing how one of the lights would be aimed right over it? In my mind it would create shadow, and block light, but maybe I am thinking it would be a bigger issue than it really would.
You may have a small dip in par at the brace , rather than the huge dip in par from not having a light there.
ReeferReefer
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I am considering the SB Ultra for my 120 build too.
SBreeflight basics.
Jacked Reefer
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I can vouch for both the ocean revive and the reefbreeders. Reefbreeders has amazing customer service, fantastic lights, and the programming is spectacular. The ocean revives are powerful, have great coverage, and an all around begginer friendley fixture. Ocean revives will be what I’m using in my systems because reefbreeders is a little out of budget for me. But I will have 2 of them turned down to around 40 percent on a three foot tank so if you were to hang the units slightly higher 2 would be perfect for your application. The reefbreeders could also be used with the supplemental light strips or two units to eliminate shadowing over a 2 foot wide tank
