Lighting a 40g breeder on a budget.

[Scorchx1245]

So I'm currently turning my 40 gallon breeder into a SW tank from FW. I have a 12 gallon aquapod been running for almost a year basic Lps (hammer, GSP, BTA (he outgrew it and was donated back) clove polys, and some paly) now I want venture into sps down the road. I was looking at the black box Mars aqua. Would a single 165 do it? Or should would I need 2, I've been researching them and my LFS said they work ok but suggested radions which are out of my budget. 2 xr15s or 1 xr30. And other thoughts and opinions?

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I'm currently turning my 40 gallon breeder into a SW tank from FW. I have a 12 gallon aquapod been running for almost a year basic Lps (hammer, GSP, BTA (he outgrew it and was donated back) clove polys, and some paly) now I want venture into sps down the road. I was looking at the black box Mars aqua. Would a single 165 do it? Or should would I need 2, I've been researching them and my LFS said they work ok but suggested radions which are out of my budget. 2 xr15s or 1 xr30. And other thoughts and opinions?

The black boxes are nice, and will grow any coral you put under them, but unless you tear apart the box and take the lenses off the lights, they focus the light pretty much down, and don't have the greatest spread. I'd either opt for 2 165's or look into the 36" 300 watt

 

[NMdesertReefer]

You can look into SB reef lights they are a black box but upgraded for better performance.

 

[ash9965]

I have a SB reef pro 32 with timer for sale

 

[Scorchx1245]

I have a SB reef pro 32 with timer for sale

You can PM price if you'd like!

 

[Scorchx1245]

I'm thinking of buying 1 fixture now cause I still dont even have water and a sump setup. Just filling gbe system with rodi water today.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

I was going to suggest SB Reef Lights as well. I don't have one, but have only heard good things

 

[Crabs McJones]

I was going to suggest SB Reef Lights as well. I don't have one, but have only heard good things

I've heard good things about the SB reef lights themselfeves as well, however I have also heard that the WiFi App has more to be desired.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

What is your budget? There are tons of options cheaper than Radions...

 

[ash9965]

PM sent

 

[ash9965]

they have enough PAR to grow everything

 

[mcarroll]

At $350 the 36" CurrentUSA IC Pro kit (part# 4226) seems like a steal.

Part# 4106 is the single-strip version and runs only $180 or so. Since your tank is small, even this light would be fine by itself for almost all corals and probably even clams....you just won't be able to take it as bright as a pair of strips. (A pair is actually good for up to 24" deep and 24" fat.)

So $180 or $350....either one seems like a deal to me.

 

[mcarroll]

I have a SB reef pro 32 with timer for sale

I dunno what the rules are about selling outside the for-sale forum, but buying used is definitely a good way to save some cash!!!

 

[HairyGary]

What about a simple T5 retro set up. You can get the kits on BRS very inexpensive. Or are you aiming at LEDs?

 

[jda]

If you wanting to get into SPS, then just get a 6 bulb T5 fixture - hydroponics ones with individual reflectors are just fine. You can do this in the $100-200 range. You are going to probably end up with some T5s when you see the shadowing and missing colors that the panels will bring to some of the acropora - if you are just going to be into Montis and birdsnest, then they do not really care as much.

In any case, SB are fine, but plan on stand-alone boxes without any real wifi or control-ability that you get with the higher priced stuff. It kinda goes Mars < SB < ReefBreeders < AI/EcoTech/Kessil < PacificSun/Orphek. However, the cheap black boxes to the ReefBreeders all use the same lights... you pay more for features. IMO, if you are going to spend XR30 money, then you could get an Orphek Atlantic V4 and have a better light. The store is likely just recommending these because they sell them.

If you want to do used, you can really save some cash, but there is no warranty at all. I do buy used lights, but the stuff that I use will usually last decades and do not really need a warranty.

 

[Scorchx1245]

Didnt want yo break 280-300ish. I dumped most of my money into a decent skimmer and a controller due to me wanting info anywhere I had cell service due to an ato failing and dumping 10 gallons in my upstairs apartment. And be able to program things to shut off after 10 minutes etc.

 

[jda]

There is nothing more important to acropora than lights. I would take best-of-breed lighting and have average water quality any day over middling lights and the best water quality possible.

Acros in the wild grow out of the water under the sun - they can overcome a lot with good light.

 

[Scorchx1245]

I hear ya, I was thinking buy now and save for later better things. When I do start venturing into the hard to keep corals. During the summer my aquarium gets pushed to the back burner due to my job. Basically I do the maint. On it but I'm not in full tinker mode. In the winter my hours get cut and it snows and we get buried with it and my aquariums are my daily thing and I tinker, build, expand aquascape, frag, etc.

 

[Scorchx1245]

There is nothing more important to acropora than lights. I would take best-of-breed lighting and have average water quality any day over middling lights and the best water quality possible.

Acros in the wild grow out of the water under the sun - they can overcome a lot with good light.

So your saying my fluorescent FW lights wont work? just kidding they barely grew plants....but acropora wont even be thought of till this winter. I havent even dosed anything ever to my SW tank I currently have and am still learning so I thought of just some like birdsnest or maybe a shadow caster for starters till o get more quality lights later when I feel comfortable with what is required of these hard to keep SPS's.

 

[ash9965]

At $350 the 36" CurrentUSA IC Pro kit (part# 4226) seems like a steal.

Part# 4106 is the single-strip version and runs only $180 or so. Since your tank is small, even this light would be fine by itself for almost all corals and probably even clams....you just won't be able to take it as bright as a pair of strips. (A pair is actually good for up to 24" deep and 24" fat.)

So $180 or $350....either one seems like a deal to me.

I heard the current pro is actually better than the IC version