Need help with lighting

[Chrisnugent942]

I have no idea where to start with lighting. I have a 40g breeder and plan on making it into a reef tank. Looking for my best lighting option for a budget between 200-350

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do you have a preference to lighting type? LED, T5, Metal Halide, hybrid?

 

[Chrisnugent942]

Do you have a preference to lighting type? LED, T5, Metal Halide, hybrid?

Led preferably

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would look into some of the black boxes (ebay black boxes, SB Reef Lights ect...). There are plenty of reefers on here @Flippers4pups @redfishbluefish that use black boxes and they'll grow anything you put under them. They don't come with alot of features, but work.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I run Mars Aquas over my 125. Yes they will grow anything, all things equal. Husbandry, water parameters, flow.....etc.

 

[OA3B]

I would look into some of the black boxes (ebay black boxes, SB Reef Lights ect...). There are plenty of reefers on here @Flippers4pups @redfishbluefish that use black boxes and they'll grow anything you put under them. They don't come with alot of features, but work.

If the choice was wasn’t LED but any of the others, who would you recommend for T5, MH, or hybrid for budget lighting?

 

[Crabs McJones]

If the choice was wasn’t LED but any of the others, who would you recommend for T5, MH, or hybrid for budget lighting?

T5 would have been my next choice, and the ATI fixtures are great. Metal halide Hamilton would be my go to. For a hybrid the Aquatic Life fixture with LEDS would be 3rd

 

[Flippers4pups]

If the choice was wasn’t LED but any of the others, who would you recommend for T5, MH, or hybrid for budget lighting?

I would have to say on a budget, t5 would be the first choice if LED's wasn't preferred based on up front cost.

T5 fixtures on the other hand, depending on brand and number of bulbs could easily eclipse the cost of a budget Led fixture.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I've had them all, and it's my opinion that LED's are the way to go.

MH: negatives; heat, cost of operation, replacement bulbs

T5's: negatives; heat (but not as bad as MH), cost of operation; yearly bulb costs (for me, approximately $130/year)

LED's: negatives; (actually, with some brands I've had, I did have to replace LED beads because they burnt their lenses...after 3-4 years)

When these Chinese Black Boxes (CBB) first came out (they were actually white), quality wasn't the greatest....only white and blue beads, no controls, poor aluminum cooling. Now however, every CBB I've seen and inspected is nicely made. I've tried a bunch of brands, and currently running SB Reef lights (basic models) that are time controlled by an antique ReefKeeper.

With your budget, you could easily afford a fully controllable CBB with the controls built right into the light. A single 165 watt (actually 120 watts) would work very nicely over a 40B.

HERE is but one example....note, an example....the first one that popped up on ebay for me.

Other brands to consider, off the top of my head, Mars Aqua, SB Reef....I'm sure others will have good suggestions as well.

 

[Chrisnugent942]

I've had them all, and it's my opinion that LED's are the way to go.

MH: negatives; heat, cost of operation, replacement bulbs

T5's: negatives; heat (but not as bad as MH), cost of operation; yearly bulb costs (for me, approximately $130/year)

LED's: negatives; (actually, with some brands I've had, I did have to replace LED beads because they burnt their lenses...after 3-4 years)

When these Chinese Black Boxes (CBB) first came out (they were actually white), quality wasn't the greatest....only white and blue beads, no controls, poor aluminum cooling. Now however, every CBB I've seen and inspected is nicely made. I've tried a bunch of brands, and currently running SB Reef lights (basic models) that are time controlled by an antique ReefKeeper.

With your budget, you could easily afford a fully controllable CBB with the controls built right into the light. A single 165 watt (actually 120 watts) would work very nicely over a 40B.

HERE is but one example....note, an example....the first one that popped up on ebay for me.

Other brands to consider, off the top of my head, Mars Aqua, SB Reef....I'm sure others will have good suggestions as well.

One would be fine for a 40g breeder?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I think for coverage a 300w might work better:

MarsAqua 300W LED Full Spectrum Lighting Reef Coral SPS LPS Aquarium Light - 2 Piece for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MarsAqua 300W LED Full Spectrum Lighting Reef Coral SPS LPS Aquarium Light - 2 Piece at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[redfishbluefish]

One would be fine for a 40g breeder?

One would work.....assuming mounted 12-14 inches above water. But the 300W fixture shown above would also work just by dialing back the intensity.

 

[Gkrockman]

Can this unit be mounted instead of hung?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes....but take a look at what comes with the fixture. As example, I know SB Reef fixtures come with mounting hardware that mounts to the rim of the tank:

So take a look at the light to make sure it has this feature. Otherwise you'll need to hang it some how.

 

[AquaPhilNJ]

I would be careful trying to buy the cheapest LED light. I did the same thing starting out with my 55 gallon reef. I bought the Marine Orbit Pro and had it for 2 -3 years. It took me a long time to realize everyone else's corals seem to grow much faster. What helped me understand lighting was BRS youtube channel (Bulk Reef Supply). I recommend reviewing the PAR measurements from the lights you are considering buying and then making your own educated decision.
Another thing to look at is watts per bulb, my old one had 0.75 watt per bulb new one has 3-4 watt per led bulb. Also consider if you're not buying enough lights; one good light may work well for the middle of aquarium then leave the far left and right with too little light (for corals).