Looking for a light
- Thread starter Patis55
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Oh sorry missed the lost on you saying you got one but I would grab the 24" if you went with them though makes for some good coverage. https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-LED-Aquarium-Light-Fixture/dp/B00ECHISWO?th=1&psc=1
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Before i can get to far with corals and such i need to get the woman hooked on it. She loves staring at the live rock looking for things. The one thing i know that will hook her for sure is a Pulsing Xenia but that is months away.
At least i have a light set up that will support most anything arriving next week.
At least i have a light set up that will support most anything arriving next week.
40B Knasty
Valuable Member
Love the xenias. This is mine after a year. It was on the rock work in my 20g for 7 months. Now they are in the sand bed due to the tank having great growth now.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
German Engineered Made In China...
Our Sirius XTC will Be available at the 2017 CMAS Frag Swap for $495...One Day Only Special...
Made in the USA with Cree 5 Wat5t XT-E and 3 watt XP-E2 LEDs
Measured PAR is Similar or Better than a 400 watt MH at 24"... For more Info Click Here Sirius XTC
Bill
40B Knasty
Valuable Member
Right! I spent $220 on the T5 fixture. $80 on ATI bulbs that people put on a T5 fixture that is priced at $5k. Best part about T5s. LEDs that are $220 are always going to be $220 LEDs. T5s, you can make a $220 T5 perform the same as a $5k fixture.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Yes but Bulb Replacement is every 9-12 Months and the Electricity is more...
Over 5 Years the T5 will cost you over 3X the initial purchase price...That Said some outstanding Reefs are still lit with T5...I was a 400 watt MH 110 watt VHO guy back in the day and very pleased with the savings I'm seeing with High End LEDs... Personally, If I had a choice between Chinese LEDs and T5 only, I would go with T5...
Bill
40B Knasty
Valuable Member
In 5 years in MN it cost $70. There is 12 months in a year. 60 months. .85¢ a month. Watch the BRS video. No one is braking the bank with T5s.
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Yes
Just giving you an opinion on a better option...
If your Growing Softies only, low PAR is OK
For SPS and LPS successful reef keepers recommended a 250 watt (min) 400 watt (desired) MH with VHOs...
More Info for thought...
Yes you can grow coral with less light...Plus its the Spectrum...MH back in the day had a known spectrum...I doubt the spectrum on a Chinese Black Box is accurate...Changing a light fixture is stressful to the corals...
A developed reef can take 5-10 years to grow so why stress it out with 24 month light replacement...
MHs were replaced annually and T5/VHO were replaced 6 months later annually to mitigate the stress...
If your OK with Medium Light, High Voltage Non-UL/CL components over Salt Water in your Home and willing to replace them every 24 months, Chinese Fixtures work.
LED Technology is advancing as fast as computer memory...Why settle for less...
Bill
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Reef Keeping Is Expensive...
Going Cheap sometimes and more often than not, costs more in the long run...Been There...Done That...Back in the day...
Pleased to say my expensive pumps are still viable after 12 years... LEDs DIY after 6 years are still going fine in local colleges. Now I have the XTC
Bill
Yes and that is why at this point i only have a 40B tank a 10gal sump with two Chinese knock off lights.
No corals, No fish, No live rock, No salt water. Just two empty tanks sitting on the garage floor.
Don't worry though. Someday i will have the good stuff. Just not yet
ReefLEDLights
Valuable Member
Dry Rock from Marco Rock or BRS Dry Rock with a pound or two of seed rock is a great way to start...
There are many ways to go, do lots of home work...The wrong start can cause complications...Like a Softie start with SPS end goal...
Cheers
Bill
There are many ways to go, do lots of home work...The wrong start can cause complications...Like a Softie start with SPS end goal...
Cheers
Bill
Bull. I love love your lights. I get asked a lot of questions on light here.
What do to have for a 48in tank. The dimension of a standard 55g is so common. 48 wide tanks.
Have you ever done a 48" fixture" I kinda prefer that for coverage. I have three ai sol's on my 55 right now to emulate that coverage.
Were I in MH I'd say I'm in the 2 150w par range.
I dont know if it's fair to call the chinese black boxes low par. The black boxes will easily fry corals with intensities too high. The biggest issue is getting spectrum you want and dialing in intensity, but that can be an issue on any led. I recently purchased some higher end lights, but the black box leds are a proven light that are a much stronger light than anything in it's price range, and dirt cheap to buy or change parts out. If you have the money, save up and get better, but if you dont, it's still better than a lot of junk lights sold in stores.
Compared to what Bill is offering up, the BB's are lower par. Acclimation is def key and nutrints play a huge role in the amount of light you can deliver. Many folks report the same bleaching issue with much much less powerful lights like the Kessil 360 and Ap700, and a BB has a LOT more Power than them. Many folks don't ever put a meter on different kinds of lights, and the differences can be rather dramatic. I have a 150mh with a great ballast and reflector, with a 20k radium bulb, its more powerful than a BB. Put a 14k in and its got even more par.
