Light

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 2, 2017

Hey guys still a lil new to the hobby I'm looking to buy a new tank so I need to buy new light I have read some reviews on the ocean revive and they seem like good lights but I also ran in to this VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control 165W LED Any one know anything about this ? I know that the revive don't have sun set and sun rise but the viparspectra do. Any advice out there ?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 2, 2017

Miguel a Villalobos said:
Hey guys still a lil new to the hobby I'm looking to buy a new tank so I need to buy new light I have read some reviews on the ocean revive and they seem like good lights but I also ran in to this VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control 165W LED Any one know anything about this ? I know that the revive don't have sun set and sun rise but the viparspectra do. Any advice out there ?

Never heard of them.
Look at the MArs aqua brand. Most of us here are much more familiar with them. SBreeflight is also a really good option. OR is also a very good option and is a really good light.

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 2, 2017

What light would you recommend for a 300 gallon tank

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 2, 2017

Miguel a Villalobos said:
What light would you recommend for a 300 gallon tank

ALL about the $$$$$$ On the cheap Id go look at mars, a little bit more Id look at SBreeflight. Past that you'll have to ask your accountant. Or cross your fingers on getting something good used (it does happen) Look at either multiple 16in 165w fixtures or 32 in 300w fixtures depending on the length. you can hang the black boxes a little higher for spread as they have a bit more power. Youll pay a little more for more controll like timers or ramping.

Is it a 72in long? 2 32in extreme wifi sbreeflights would be the high end of lower end wish list light with bells and whistles.

sbash · Mar 2, 2017

Looking at a quick google search, the VIPARSPECTRA look like they may be similar to the SB Reef Light. There are many different brands of this style light. I use four of them on my 6' 220 Gallon tank. Mind you I sourced these directly from China and build my own timer and controller system for them, but they are exactly the same starting point that the dude who created the "SB" lights started with.

This style lighting is definitely the way to light a large tank for a low cost.

However, spread and spectrum are very important for a successful reef. Do some reading, and pay attention to the amount of reds, the amount of the various whites and the wavelengths of the blues in the lights you are evaluating.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 2, 2017

sbash said:
Looking at a quick google search, the VIPARSPECTRA look like they may be similar to the SB Reef Light. There are many different brands of this style light. I use four of them on my 6' 220 Gallon tank. Mind you I sourced these directly from China and build my own timer and controller system for them, but they are exactly the same starting point that the dude who created the "SB" lights started with.

This style lighting is definitely the way to light a large tank for a low cost.

However, spread and spectrum are very important for a successful reef. Do some reading, and pay attention to the amount of reds, the amount of the various whites and the wavelengths of the blues in the lights you are evaluating.

SB did choose a really interesting set of led colors from the supplier.

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 2, 2017

Thanks for all your help. What do you think if I go with the revive I can get a good deal on 4 and the tank is 8ft long

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 2, 2017

Yea that should work I think. You have to space them carefully but yea pretty great.

OR specs.http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=21

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 2, 2017

Cool thx

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 6, 2017

Ok guys so I'm still trying to get my best bang for the buck. What light should I go with the ocean revive or the sbreeflight?

cory nelson · Mar 6, 2017

sbash said:
Looking at a quick google search, the VIPARSPECTRA look like they may be similar to the SB Reef Light. There are many different brands of this style light. I use four of them on my 6' 220 Gallon tank. Mind you I sourced these directly from China and build my own timer and controller system for them, but they are exactly the same starting point that the dude who created the "SB" lights started with.

This style lighting is definitely the way to light a large tank for a low cost.

However, spread and spectrum are very important for a successful reef. Do some reading, and pay attention to the amount of reds, the amount of the various whites and the wavelengths of the blues in the lights you are evaluating.

you said you have some china lights on your tank what kind of lights and where can i go to buy them

sbash · Mar 6, 2017

cory nelson said:
you said you have some china lights on your tank what kind of lights and where can i go to buy them

I have four generic 'black box' style lights on my tank, each are 165 watt fixtures. This easily covers my 6' x 2' foot print; the only shading is caused by the rocks. I could have gotten away with only three, but the cost is so low (comparably) there was no reason to not fill it out.

Anyway, some research will be need on your part to find a good configuration; but I purchased my lights through Aliexpress. It looks like they have a lot more options now, than when I purchased my lights. Do not trust what they call 'Reef Lights'. Also, only go for ones where the list the LED layout. Like I said, do some reading; but essentially you want a good amount of various blues, a couple reds and greens, as well as a well rounded white layout.

Now let me get to the risks. Even if the seller has a guarantee, or warranty, the cost of shipping the defective or incorrect unit back often makes this 'feature' moot. I have five units in total, for the cost, I wanted a spare. However, one of the units I ordered is way off; it is completely unusable on a reef tank. The sticker on it is correct, but the actual LED configuration is not in line with the sticker or what I ordered. I essentially have to rebuild it according to my own lighting preferences.

sbash · Mar 6, 2017

Miguel a Villalobos said:
Ok guys so I'm still trying to get my best bang for the buck. What light should I go with the ocean revive or the sbreeflight?

I would go SB; he seems to have a good grasp of LED reef lighting, and the price is excellent.

cory nelson · Mar 7, 2017

sbash said:
I would go SB; he seems to have a good grasp of LED reef lighting, and the price is excellent.

Who's SB

Miguel a Villalobos · Mar 7, 2017

SB reefer lights

sbash · Mar 7, 2017

cory nelson said:
Who's SB

Sorry, I say 'he' because it was founded by one dude who started a community site and the SB stood for something colourful... I remember watching some of his videos, and watching him refine his LED configuration a few years back when the generic Chinese black box lights were a new thing.