Lighting - $40 repair or $1000 upgrade

[skhaw]

Hi. I am currently running a reef tank in 60 gallon tank (plus about 15 gallons in the sump) using old coralife aqualight fixture with 2x65w 10000K day light and 2x65W blue light. Tank size is 48x18x18. One of the ballast that feed blue lights failed and now I only have 2 x65watt day lights. It will cost me only about 40 to buy replacement ballast (a new one on eBay) but it will take like 2 weeks to get.

I have two questions.
1) do I have time? I don’t think blue light do anything for coral growth right? Can I have the tank running with just day light for a couple of weeks?

2) should I upgrade it to latest LED lights light Kessil A360x 90 watt? I think I will need two which will cost me closed to $1000 just for light I think. What am I getting that I am not getting with my old light fixture? For now I only have soft corals and they seem to be ok with what I have.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I think your corals will be fine waiting for the new part. But you are incorrect in saying that corals don't need blue light.

That being said are you happy with your current set up or have you been looking for an excuse to upgrade lights?

 

[skhaw]

It is just that the fixture I have is very old. Bought it back 12-13 years ago so pretty old technology I guess. I just don’t know if LED lights are much better than current ones. I only have soft corals at this moment but I may want to get more light demanding corals and I don’t know what I have is enough.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Those are compact florescents your using right? I ran a couple of tanks on them way back when and I don't find them super bright. Newer LEDs will let you adjust the spectrum however you like and set up a ramp up and down schedule which will allow your to have the lights on longer thoughout the day.

I vote upgrade time. Are you set on kessels or can I throw some suggestions your way?

 

[skhaw]

Those are compact florescents your using right? I ran a couple of tanks on them way back when and I don't find them super bright. Newer LEDs will let you adjust the spectrum however you like and set up a ramp up and down schedule which will allow your to have the lights on longer thoughout the day.

I vote upgrade time. Are you set on kessels or can I throw some suggestions your way?

I am leaning on to upgrade since I am not sure how long the other ballast will last and I might not be able to find another one.

Yes please make suggestions. I was thinking of only Kessels because I watched BRS YouTube video which is posted 2 years old ago in 2019. I

 

[davidcalgary29]

But if you upgrade you'll have acclimate the corals to the new lighting. I say stick with what you have if your corals are thriving and get a new ballast. Unless you want to move on to SPS, of course...

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I am leaning on to upgrade since I am not sure how long the other ballast will last and I might not be able to find another one.

Yes please make suggestions. I was thinking of only Kessels because I watched BRS YouTube video which is posted 2 years old ago in 2019. I

Ya I'm sure more problems are on the way with a fixture that old. Plus I'm all for using old t5 and metal halide fixtures but compacts were never that great.

I'm always hesitant to buy stuff based on brs recommendations since they will obviously want to push whatever will make them a buck.

Kessils are nice. Aqua illumination lights are also very nice. To save a few bucks go with reef breeders v2+. You'll be very happy with them. I think the v2+ has slightly better colors than my ai prime (but it is a pain to program when you first set it up). Lastly for a few extra bucks I've been most impressed with the reefi fixtures. Definitely check them out!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Keep it as a spare but by all means take advantage of added colors and features and Wifi/bluetooth capability.

 

[mehaffydr]

Hi. I am currently running a reef tank in 60 gallon tank (plus about 15 gallons in the sump) using old coralife aqualight fixture with 2x65w 10000K day light and 2x65W blue light. Tank size is 48x18x18. One of the ballast that feed blue lights failed and now I only have 2 x65watt day lights. It will cost me only about 40 to buy replacement ballast (a new one on eBay) but it will take like 2 weeks to get.

I have two questions.
1) do I have time? I don’t think blue light do anything for coral growth right? Can I have the tank running with just day light for a couple of weeks?

2) should I upgrade it to latest LED lights light Kessil A360x 90 watt? I think I will need two which will cost me closed to $1000 just for light I think. What am I getting that I am not getting with my old light fixture? For now I only have soft corals and they seem to be ok with what I have.

You should check with Grainger. I needed a T5 ballast last week and they had it in stock I picked it up the same day.

 

[Tamberav]

It is just that the fixture I have is very old. Bought it back 12-13 years ago so pretty old technology I guess. I just don’t know if LED lights are much better than current ones. I only have soft corals at this moment but I may want to get more light demanding corals and I don’t know what I have is enough.

If they are compacts, upgrade... T5 then just get a ballast.

 

[skhaw]

First I was going to go with 2 x Kessil A360X which will cost me about $1000 with mounting kit. Now I am trying to save money with one of the followings. It is in the order that I like, AP700 48" being the most attractive. If there are other brands I should consider, please let me know. Also if there is any drawback with any of the fixture below, I would like to be informed.

AP700 48" LED Aquarium Light - $549
Razor X R5 200W LED Fixture - Maxspect - $600 (80 LEDs 200W)
AquaIllumination Hydra 64 HD LED Reef Light - $620 (64 LEDs 135W, 4 Moonlight)
Reef Breeders Photon V2 Plus - $700 (88 LEDs 240 W)

 

[92Miata]

Don't spend any money on the coralife fixture.

If you want to stay cheap - go out and buy a $150 Viparspectra led light. Its a huge upgrade on what you have, and will grow corals just as well as the $800 options. (And I say this as someone who has a $1000 fixture over his 40g tank)

 

[Rmckoy]

Repair is my vote .
Repair the fixture you have and let it run . Im all for t5ho
As a upgrade I would consider either t5’s or even a hybrid t5/leds combo but that opens the doors to stocking any coral you want .

 

[skhaw]

Repair is my vote .
Repair the fixture you have and let it run . Im all for t5ho
As a upgrade I would consider either t5’s or even a hybrid t5/leds combo but that opens the doors to stocking any coral you want .

I like T5 hybrid like aquatic life T5 but it is not dimmable. I would like the tank on dim or moonlight at night. Dimmable T5 are so expensive.