lighting led

[old salty]

I am new to saltwater and need help on finding a led light. What I am looking for is something that has protection for the light with independent pods. My tank is 60 in. long and 27 in. deep I will be doing mostly easy coral with very few fish. I would like to keep the price under 300 dollars and would like it to ramp up and down for dusk and dawn.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Best bet would be used leds or wifi capable chinese black boxes.

 

[Phil D.]

AI has a sale on the older models of Hydras.

 

[Curtis Rose]

That’s a lot of tank to light for 300 most lights out out a spread of 2x2 meaning for anything more than 4ft your looking at 3 lights. Ocean revives, sb reef light and reefbreeders would be your cheaper but good options mars aqua is also decent from what I hear. Type of coral would help to kno because if it softies you could so a couple ic pro models from current orbit fixture which are strip fixtures. Other than that you could get a 5 foot t5 setup that would work great. Options aren’t many for lighting for a long tank under 300. I just picked up a used reefbreeders light for my 30x24 inch tank. Got a really good deal. I got a 400 dollar light for 150. Maybe look used but well taken care of.

 

[Curtis Rose]

Or DIY your own led light which would be a lot cheaper but cost u in reasearch and build time. I want to do it one day

 

[old salty]

looking at dsuny / popbloom anyone have any information about these?

 

[Bpb]

$300 or less with automated dimming capable of illuminating 60”x27” is a very very very tall order.

You will sacrifice one of 4 things with lighting.

Cost
Coverage
Features
Power

If you find something that will cover that space with automated dimming, it will be under powered

If you find something powerful enough with automatic dimming, it won’t cover that space

If you find something that is powerful enough and covers that space, it won’t have automatic ramping.

See where I’m going with that?

 

[Saltfishlover]

DsunY popbloom led 9 months (short review)

I haven't really been much of a "review" kind of guy. Mostly because I suck at explaining what I love or hate about what it is that I'm reviewing. Lol. Anyway, about 9 months ago I went against my better judgment and purchased these DsunY Popbloom LEDs for my 40 breeder. After a lot of...

www.reef2reef.com

Read this. Good info

 

[old salty]

OK I have a better understanding of cost is there a led that I can chain together over a period of time. I looked at aqualife hybrid like the light but they could have included T5 bulbs. This would be a slow process but I think a good option.

 

[BeejReef]

Challenging dimensions for sure. 5 feet and pretty deep.
What kind of mounting and height did you have in mind?

A couple of 165 watt black boxes may give you acceptable coverage if you're willing to run them near full power and 12-18" above the tank. Light bleed would be pretty intense if you don't plan on running a canopy.

Curtis Rose listed some of the manufacturers you might look at. That would get you started in the $300-$400 range with the option to add a third light down the line.

I really wanted ramping too, but if I had it to do over again, I'd forego it. Lots of lights with built-in timers for separate channels. You can still get a few hours of just blues in the evening for viewing without all the fuss and vulnerability (and for 30% less than ramping models).

 

[Bpb]

Gradual ramping just isn’t that exciting to be honest. I think 99% of the allure of it is just because people CAN do it. Most people honestly just like bright blue for the majority of the time and a few hours of some degree of full spectrum. I just don’t see the benefit in shifting your spectrum the entire day. People say toss your bulbs because they shift spectrum but then intentionally do it all day with automation.

 

[artieg1]

If you really need to stick to that price point, I would get 2 of the better reviewed generic black box LEDs. I am using 3 AI Hydra 52s on a 6 foot tank, and it has been great, but even 2 of those will blow your budget. I'd forget about ramping up and down. Just set them on a timer.

 

[Jon Fishman]

OK I have a better understanding of cost is there a led that I can chain together over a period of time. I looked at aqualife hybrid like the light but they could have included T5 bulbs. This would be a slow process but I think a good option.

61” AL hybrid with bulbs and no LEDs is about $500 alone

 

[old salty]

61” AL hybrid with bulbs and no LEDs is about $500 alone

Found something I think will work but has me confused. I am looking at wills brand but it says 3 to 5 inches above water other brands say 8 to 12 any idea why so close I want to be 8 to 12. I have an open top.

 

[Saltfishlover]

Im a bit out of touch with lighting as im just getting back to the hobby, but my guess is because they are a weaker Watt and can't get to bottom of a tank. Putting them closer helps?? Again just a guess, but im following to see what a more experienced person says

 

[Uncle99]

Found something I think will work but has me confused. I am looking at wills brand but it says 3 to 5 inches above water other brands say 8 to 12 any idea why so close I want to be 8 to 12. I have an open top.

When lights are to close to the water, their lifespan drops significantly.......

 

[Saltfishlover]

Is this due to salt creep ?