LED suggestions 24x18 coverage area

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

SB Reef Lights vs. MarsAqua vs. GalaxyHydro vs. Reef Radiance vs. Evergrow vs. Reef Breeders... It's enough to make your head spin. I'm a fish doctor; I don't know much about LEDs.

I kinda like this one, but can't find many reviews: Blueline 120w VHO LED Fixture - Dimmable

Would like to keep it under $200/fixture, as I am needing to buy 8 of these. Just looking to grow some corals with my fish in the retail room.

TIA

Idoc · Feb 1, 2018

I have the SB ReefLights 16" basic model on my coral QT (20g long)...i think outs 30" x 12-14" if I recall correctly. I liked that the SB ReefLights come with a stand that fits on the edges of the tank and a ceiling hanging kit both. The corals seem to really like it did far. I'm using separate timers on the white and blue channels. The coverage is adequate for this size tank as well.

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

Thanks for that @Idoc. SB Reef Lights is local to me, so I am strongly considering that 16" basic model.

Was just looking at the AI Prime HD, but that might not be enough lighting...

NowGlazeIT · Feb 1, 2018

Humblefish said:
Thanks for that @Idoc. SB Reef Lights is local to me, so I am strongly considering that 16" basic model.

Was just looking at the AI Prime HD, but that might not be enough lighting...

I use an AI prime to cover my 23x23x23 tank I would say it’s great at those dimensions as I’m having great success with lps even down on the sand bed but I wouldn’t recommend stretching those dimensions another inch for corals. It is a powerful little light and I love controlling the color intensities over my phone.

NowGlazeIT · Feb 1, 2018

Oh I just saw your title was for 24x18 hah sorry I jumped into this thread from another link. Ai prime would do well for those dimensions not sure about SPS I’ve yet to try one

Tommy's Reef · Feb 1, 2018

Ocean revive t247!
You can find them around 150 or less, they have great color and can be extremely bright, be careful lol

mcarroll · Feb 1, 2018

I think I'd look at Current USA. Their TrueLumen PRO LED strips ($60/ea) might be ideal for your type of installation – kinda their intended use I think.

But if you're looking for something more traditional and with a controller, then their standard Orbit Marine LED (up to 12" deep) or Orbit Marine IC LED (>12" deep) would be fine. (Both seem to be around $160.)

Use their sizing guides (PAR Data and Pro-Led-Strip-Lights-SW-Sizing-Guide.pdf) to know if you need more than one strip....for brighter light corals or clams, you might.

Depending on the corals and light levels you need, you might want between 2-4+ of TrueLumen strips but only between 1 and 2 of the Orbits.

(I'd ask if they offer a retailer discount too....or talk to your wholesaler.)

chipmunkofdoom2 · Feb 1, 2018

I went with the Viparspectra for $119. The timer function is just a basic on/off, and I didn't really want it, but now that I have it I suppose I do find it handy. The main reason I went with this light is the LED layout. Some black boxes have all the warm whites and reds at either end of the unit. I have one of these lights and I can say first-hand that the middle of the light is a nice deep blue, but the outside edge is very purple/red. The blending is not great at all.

The Viparspectra, on the other hand, has the warm whites and reds distributed throughout. The color is even and I really like the balance. I've yet to get a good picture of the light, but the color is very close to the pictures I see taken under Nanobox LED lights.

EDIT: Image credit goes to Dave Fason at Nanobox Reef

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

Thanks everyone. I will be researching all of your suggestions today. Being I need 8 of these, I might just buy 2 or 3 different brands and see which one I like the best.

NowGlazeIT · Feb 1, 2018

Humblefish said:
Thanks everyone. I will be researching all of your suggestions today. Being I need 8 of these, I might just buy 2 or 3 different brands and see which one I like the best.

One more curve ball for ya. On your other thread I can’t remember the name but you were looking for observation lighting for those metal racks and 40g breeders. If those are for fish only then rope lights/led strips zip tied around the rack is an option

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

NowGlazeIT said:
One more curve ball for ya. On your other thread I can’t remember the name but you were looking for observation lighting for those metal racks and 40g breeders. If those are for fish only then rope lights/led strips zip tied around the rack is an option

Yeah, I'm going with just cheap LEDs for fish in QT. I only need to turn those on a few times a day to feed/observe. IME; fish do better in darkness (or just ambient light) while being treated with meds.

Now, once the fish are in observation/retail I want them to get used to a photocycle and feel comfortable in a more natural environment. Rock, sand, corals, the whole nine yards... I might just do softies in some of tanks, and nicer corals in the tanks I put "reef safe" fish into.

NowGlazeIT · Feb 1, 2018

Humblefish said:
Yeah, I'm going with just cheap LEDs for fish in QT. I only need to turn those on a few times a day to feed/observe. IME; fish do better in darkness (or just ambient light) while being treated with meds.

Now, once the fish are in observation/retail I want them to get used to a photocycle and feel comfortable in a more natural environment. Rock, sand, corals, the whole nine yards... I might just do softies in some of tanks, and nicer corals in the tanks I put "reef safe" fish into.

I’m so pumped your doing this. Its gonna be big dude. what’s your defense on aerosol contaminants? And for softies I would advice the lower end reef lights with the reputable brand rather then the cheap china boxes that people implement for higher par. For me if it’s in the budget AI primes if not current USA. When you think about expanding to California one day send me an application haha

Cment · Feb 1, 2018

Humble look at these, I purchased them bc a sponsor here used them with very good success.

https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Timer-165W-Aquarium-Dimmable/dp/B00UMXAR5S

Humblefish · Feb 1, 2018

NowGlazeIT said:
Its gonna be big dude. what’s your defense on aerosol contaminants?

QT room is isolated away from the conditioning & retail room. Nothing (and I mean nothing) is shared between rooms. After I've worked in the QT room, I immerse myself in a heavily chlorinated swimming pool before even looking at the other rooms.

But getting back to the lights... I'm seriously thinking of mixing & matching 3-4 different brands and seeing which one(s) I like the best. Since I will need different fixtures for 8-10 tanks, this situation gives me the opportunity to learn the ins & outs of the different LED brands.

JaimeAdams · Feb 1, 2018

SB all the way. Just get the basic boxes, for your retail space a simple timer is all you need.

Humblefish · Feb 2, 2018

So I think it comes down to AI Prime HD (and/or Hydra 26) vs. sBox 16" (Basic) vs. Reef Breeders SuperLux at this point.

I might mix & match, so I have stronger lights on the tanks where the AI Prime HD isn't quite cutting it.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 2, 2018

Lol. Go talk to Mike and Colette at SB.

Just plain decent folks.
RB is too, but the price point isn’t there.

Tell them that I/we sent you.

Jeeper · Feb 3, 2018

Just to throw another choice out there... aquatic life has a xs-uv 14" led that runs $219. I have 2 over a 75 gallon that I love. USB port and programmed with a lap top as well as a remote for ramping up power. They are discontinuing the light for some reason but they were around $400, so its a great deal.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aqua-life-xs-uv.262222/