Mars blackbox or aqua illumination?

[Bryce M.]

Right now I have a 70 gal and I'm upgrading to a 150. Both are around 2 feet deep. I have been told by people to use prime 16 hds

Prime 16 HD LED Reef Light - Black Body

Balanced Power and Spread for Optimal Reef Tank Lighting Discover the AquaIllumination Prime 16 HD Series, designed to enhance your aquarium with vibrant colors and powerful illumination. Control is easy with the myAI or Mobius apps, allowing you to adjust and customize the light spectrum and...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

but on a different thread people are saying those are crap and not powerful enough and to go with mars black boxes

I'm really thinking the prime 16s but not if they are under powered

 

[dank reefer]

If your tank is truly 2 feet deep, then Primes would not be the way to go. You could look the Hydra 26, 32, 52, or 64 to cover your tank but as you know they are pricey. Mars Aqua lights are good lights, they just last the ability to ramp up or down with out doing some DIY to them. They will grow coral as you can find other users that have grown them successfully. Another option are the Photon V2 lights that are programmable, and many users have stated that they grow coral better than some of the pricier lights out there.

 

[Bryce M.]

36" Recurve 90 LED Fixture

Great for tanks up to 37" long! Maximum Coverage - 45" x 32" Effective Coverage - 38" x 26" Future of Aquatic Lighting The Razor Recurve LED Light Fixture is easily the future of reef tank lighting. With industry-leading Cree LEDs spread throughout 6 different channels, that provide ultimate...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

ZT-6600A QMaven II Series LED Light

Recommended spread up to 36" x 24" Quality CREE LEDs Thinnest Body Available Sleek Black Color Integrated Signature Moonlight Improved Color & Light Blending Includes Tank Mounting Kit Fanless Passive Heatsink IP-67 Water Resistance Rating Superior CREE LEDs Made In The USA! Cree LED lights...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

these are on sale too but I think I'm going to stick to AI just get the hydras

 

[Futuretotm]

In my research for best bang for your buck, I went from MarsAqua to Viparspectra to Reef breeder v2

 

[dank reefer]

And you can also find deals on used Hydra's now since the new ones came out.

And also keep an eye out for used Radions, as the new G5 were announced today for sale.

 

[uhgster1]

And you can also find deals on used Hydra's now since the new ones came out.

And also keep an eye out for used Radions, as the new G5 were announced today for sale.

The 5’s are out already?

 

[Bryce M.]

if I do hydras, 32 or 64?

 

[Dana Riddle]

Right now I have a 70 gal and I'm upgrading to a 150. Both are around 2 feet deep. I have been told by people to use prime 16 hds

Prime 16 HD LED Reef Light - Black Body

Balanced Power and Spread for Optimal Reef Tank Lighting Discover the AquaIllumination Prime 16 HD Series, designed to enhance your aquarium with vibrant colors and powerful illumination. Control is easy with the myAI or Mobius apps, allowing you to adjust and customize the light spectrum and...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

but on a different thread people are saying those are crap and not powerful enough and to go with mars black boxes

I'm really thinking the prime 16s but not if they are under powered

What is your lighting for the 70?

 

[Gareth elliott]

You can do primes as they are the same lights as their larger siblings just as a single puck vs 2 or 4.

For a 6”x2”x2” for sps coverage of the entire tank you would need 8 primes or so. 2 side by side spread out evenly across the tank.

 

[lpsouth1978]

if I do hydras, 32 or 64?

I would do 32's. Even if you go with 4 x 32's instead of 2 x 64's. This will allow you to spread them out to get more even coverage.

 

[Bryce M.]

What is your lighting for the 70?

right now I use current usa, one orbit and one orbit pro

 

[Brian_68]

I don't like that the Mars aqua do not have the violets and lower wavelengths.

 

[Bryce M.]

I don't like that the Mars aqua do not have the violets and lower wavelengths.

people say they are great but I'm going to play it safe and get a name brand

 

[Dana Riddle]

right now I use current usa, one orbit and one orbit pro

If possible, use your Orbits in conjunction with Evergreen LED black boxes. Economical and you should have enough light for even the most demanding corals. If space doesn't allow, consider Noopsyche along with the Orbits.

 

[lpsouth1978]

If possible, use your Orbits in conjunction with Evergreen LED black boxes. Economical and you should have enough light for even the most demanding corals. If space doesn't allow, consider Noopsyche along with the Orbits.

Noopsyche seem like a solid option. Very similar to Hydra 26, but @ <50% the cost. I almost went with them for my 75 build.

 

[Bryce M.]

If possible, use your Orbits in conjunction with Evergreen LED black boxes. Economical and you should have enough light for even the most demanding corals. If space doesn't allow, consider Noopsyche along with the Orbits.

how would you recommend setting them up together and how many of the noopsyches?

 

[Futuretotm]

In my research for best bang for your buck, I went from MarsAqua to Viparspectra to Reef breeder v2

sorry missed a step, went from MarsAqua to Viparspectra to Noopsyches to Reefbreeders v2

 

[oreo54]

Right now I have a 70 gal and I'm upgrading to a 150. Both are around 2 feet deep. I have been told by people to use prime
I'm really thinking the prime 16s but not if they are under powered

First.. tank dimensions
Assume 60x24x 24?

Tank cross supports? How many?

Then decide needs/wants...
Automation, Channels, Type of corals ect.

Budget

Look

All adds up to a whole.

"under-powered" can be compensated by volume and $'s..
Keep in mind black boxes are not what they say they are in terms of power.
Normal 55 diode arrays run at about 500mA's and an ind voltage of around 3.6 109W w/ a sometimes lower watt efficiency than "premium" units.. but they work fine.
Does take two AI 16 to = a black box.

What are the Orbit lengths?..

 

[Bryce M.]

First.. tank dimensions
Assume 60x24x 24?

Tank cross supports? How many?

Then decide needs/wants...
Automation, Channels, Type of corals ect.

Budget

Look

All adds up to a whole.

"under-powered" can be compensated by volume and $'s..
Keep in mind black boxes are not what they say they are in terms of power.
Normal 55 diode arrays run at about 500mA's and an ind voltage of around 3.6 109W w/ a sometimes lower watt efficiency than "premium" units.. but they work fine.
Does take two AI 16 to = a black box.

What are the Orbit lengths?..

exact on with the dimensions
for what I need/want
I would like a controller that's easy to use, would not mind an app either but I don't need it.
Corals, right now I just need stuff for nems, softies and LPS although I do want something that can keep SPS
Budget.... being hopeful I would like under 1000 but I know that's not going to happen
my new 150 is 80 inches long so I would like the new lights to transfer to that too, even if I have to buy another unit when I get that one set up
I have the two orbits, one 48 inches and the other is 60 inches

 

[Dana Riddle]

how would you recommend setting them up together and how many of the noopsyches?

Two Noopsyches. I don't know enough about the Orbits to comment.