LED Lighting on a budget...

Luca'sMom · Mar 10, 2017

Hi all! I read through a bunch of comments and got a lot of very good advice on led's. I still have a question hopefully someone can answer for me: On my 30g tank, which I just started planning, I need an LED light that will: not require a glass canopy on my aquarium; provide a couple clown fish with a happy environment; a few torch corals ample light - all without spending more than $200. The tank is 35.8" x 12.5" x 16.5" Any suggestions? I don't want to have to replace a $50 unit every few months either. Thanks

MaiReef · Mar 10, 2017

Mars Aqua would do just that and you will not even have to have it at half power.

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dim...UTF8&qid=1489149687&sr=8-2&keywords=mars+aqua

You can either hand it from the ceiling or use a bracket like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Brightsky-Aq...id=1477326294&sr=8-182&keywords=reef+led&th=1

MaiReef · Mar 10, 2017

Here is a cheaper version that should work fine as well. With the bracket you would be under $200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360W-Dimmab...578027?hash=item5b346cee2b:g:oRUAAOSwCU1YvQ0j

LbulletM · Mar 10, 2017

+1 on chinese black boxes.

Luca'sMom · Mar 10, 2017

MaiReef said:
Mars Aqua would do just that and you will not even have to have it at half power.

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dim...UTF8&qid=1489149687&sr=8-2&keywords=mars+aqua

You can either hand it from the ceiling or use a bracket like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Brightsky-Aquarium-Suspension-Bracket-Hanging/dp/B00E9LU9NE/ref=sr_1_182?ie=UTF8&qid=1477326294&sr=8-182&keywords=reef+led&th=1

Thank you very much! I'll look into those now

FindNem0 · Mar 10, 2017

Ocean revive T247 are great and $200.

MaiReef · Mar 10, 2017

FindNem0 said:
Ocean revive T247 are great and $200.

Will 1 unit do 36"? I heard they are quite good, but curious to the coverage.

FindNem0 · Mar 10, 2017

Oh yeah. And you can probably find them used on here for $100. You can get two

FindNem0 · Mar 10, 2017

Also I'm in the D.C. Area but we have this reef website called wamas. Guys are selling maxspect razors for crazy cheap. And all kinds of LED's

jlear3 · Mar 10, 2017

MaiReef said:
Will 1 unit do 36"? I heard they are quite good, but curious to the coverage.

I use one over my 40br it doesn't light the edges 100% but it's close enough

Flippers4pups · Mar 10, 2017

I have three mars aquas over my 125 6' DT and could not be happier. Growing SPS and LPS very well with excellent color. Bought mine back in October last year, all three for $269 shipped free. Smiles, big smiles!

Flippers4pups · Mar 10, 2017

jlear3 said:
I use one over my 40br it doesn't light the edges 100% but it's close enough

If you look on YouTube, you can pull some lenses, especially on the edges and it will help the shadowing In a big way. I did this, help big time and couldn't be happier!

Luca'sMom · Mar 10, 2017

Wow thanks everyone

This is a very helpful group. Just wondering if a 30gallon tank requires extra floor support in a house? 230lbs water roughly....my guess is no, but some of you more advanced and knowledgeable folks could probably answer this correctly. And how do I go about finding an LED light box on here??

Flippers4pups · Mar 10, 2017

Luca'sMom said:
Wow thanks everyone This is a very helpful group. Just wondering if a 30gallon tank requires extra floor support in a house? 230lbs water roughly....my guess is no, but some of you more advanced and knowledgeable folks could probably answer this correctly. And how do I go about finding an LED light box on here??

A 30gal should be no problem at all on any floor in your house as long as the stand and tank are level.

Led light fixtures can be found on eBay (that's where I got mine) or amazon, through manufacturers web sites or vendors.

atoll · Mar 11, 2017

MaiReef said:
Here is a cheaper version that should work fine as well. With the bracket you would be under $200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/360W-Dimmab...578027?hash=item5b346cee2b:g:oRUAAOSwCU1YvQ0j

way too much for such a small tank, the Mars Aqua would be far better

Luca'sMom · Mar 11, 2017

atoll said:
way too much for such a small tank, the Mars Aqua would be far better

The 165w Mars for my 36" tank? Or the 300w Mars?

atoll · Mar 11, 2017

The 300 far too much

Sent from my SM-G920F using REEF2REEF mobile app

LbulletM · Mar 11, 2017

Luca'sMom said:
Wow thanks everyone This is a very helpful group. Just wondering if a 30gallon tank requires extra floor support in a house? 230lbs water roughly....my guess is no, but some of you more advanced and knowledgeable folks could probably answer this correctly. And how do I go about finding an LED light box on here??

Have you ever had a friend over? It sounds like a big number, but when you break it down, it's two children or one large friend standing in a two foot area.