Mars aqua ebay light 1x300w or2x165

chris669 · Sep 11, 2015

As many will know u can get 1 longer 300 w light or 2x165w shorter light.
My tank is 100x40x50cm what is the best option to go for?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=271603535090&globalID=EBAY-AU

saltyphish · Sep 11, 2015

redfishbluefish · Sep 11, 2015

Wow, what a great question. For me it's almost a flip of a coin......but I'm leaning towards the two fixtures over the one long one....and here's my reasoning:

Both choices add up to approximtely 80 cm of length, but with the 300W fixture centered on your tank, that leaves 10 cm on each side.....not really a big deal. However with the two 165W fixtures, you can slighlty separate in the middle to get better coverage on the ends of your tank.

The two fixtures give you more light (more watts....more LEDs).

If you're a penny pincher, the two 165 are less expensive than the 300. In the US, $166.60 for two 165's, while the 300 is $169.99, a wopping savings of $3.39.

The only down side I see to buying two 165's is that you have to deal with a total of four cords versus the two on the 300.

Now were's my coin so I can really decide.

Harold Green · Sep 11, 2015

I'd go with the two lights. That way if one fails you still have some light until you can repair or replace the failed one.

Ron Reefman · Sep 11, 2015

I'm with Harold Green. If you have 2 and one develops an issue, you still have light. Unless you are keeping some kind of back up on the shelf (I always do). The single fixture would look cleaner, but either will work.

3dees · Sep 11, 2015

Harold Green said:
I'd go with the two lights. That way if one fails you still have some light until you can repair or replace the failed one.

I agree with this. also, I worry about one long light leaving a shadow from the tank support.

Harold Green · Sep 11, 2015

Ron I always try to keep all critical components backed up. Spare return pump, circulating pump, heaters, float switches and that's the beauty of the cheap lights. It's a small price to pay to have one for backup. Truthfully I have extra lights on my dt and they are all turned down in intensity so if one failed I can turn the remaining ones up to still have sufficient lighting. This also reduces that dreaded shading from led's.