Reasonably priced lighting for my tank?

[laezur]

Hey guys!

Times are a little tough at the moment but I’ve had my tank for a while, so I have the responsibility of keeping it running but my budget is a little low.

I’m looking for a light to properly keep my Red Sea 170 up and running, the light I have now has proved not good enough to keep things thriving and I need to upgrade.

If anyone has this tank and some experience wi the lighting for it please chime in and suggest any lights that might work well on a budget! I can always go second hand on eBay.

Thank you!

 

[blaxsun]

What is your current light and what's your budget?

 

[uhgster1]

AI Prime 16

 

[Woodyman]

What is your current light and what's your budget?

If your looking for sub $200 the @noopsyche lights and the Smatfams from Amazon are popular choices.

 

[laezur]

What is your current light and what's your budget?

Current light is a terrible Fluval nano marine that I bought when I first got the tank, nowhere near enough PAR to reach the bottom of the tank haha.

Around $200 whatever that is in GBP

 

[blaxsun]

Current light is a terrible Fluval nano marine that I bought when I first got the tank, nowhere near enough PAR to reach the bottom of the tank haha.

Around $200 whatever that is in GBP

As above, an AI Prime 16HD will serve you well.

 

[uhgster1]

Current light is a terrible Fluval nano marine that I bought when I first got the tank, nowhere near enough PAR to reach the bottom of the tank haha.

Around $200 whatever that is in GBP

If you buy a Red Sea deluxe, it comes with their Red Sea 50, before that it used to be an AI prime. You can find used ones for under $200. I would personally by a brand new one (Prime 16), it’s an extra $30 but worth it. I’ve been using AI for over ten years now. They are excellent.

 

[noopsyche]

Have a look

 

[Bucs20fan]

I have had good luck with the Nicrew 100 and 150w. Both under 200. But they can be pretty strong .

 

[laezur]

Have a look

Products available in the UK?

 

[dvgyfresh]

Vivarspectra light is budget friendly and very powerful

 

[laezur]

Vivarspectra light is budget friendly and very powerful

Just had a look online, would it be the XS series for marine tanks(

 

[dvgyfresh]

Just had a look online, would it be the XS series for marine tanks(

They have a 300w version as well it would be more powerful but this gets the job done

 

[SilvermistInc]

For LED grab a nicrew. For T5 grab a vivosun fixture and put ATI bulbs in it.

 

[Doctorgori]

I have the Nicrew, don’t know about durability it appears well built
I have 8 AI’s 4 prime & 4 Sols …. for 30 bucks less, the SoLs are fine …they are all well built and the UI is easy

…Noopsyche are likley next …
IMO Kessil and Radions have priced themselves out of being a practical choice, at their prices you may as well buy cheap and replace twice as often

 

[Smoke-Town]

can't beat this light for the money

 

[Dburr1014]

Add a light bar and be done. Extra pop to what you have now. And cheap.

 

[jphilip813]

I would say take a look at the Smatfarm...really good light. I swap my Ai Prime 16 (Fan was too loud) for the SmatFarm. They are $143.00

 

[SilvermistInc]

can't beat this light for the money

I ran this on my frag tank before switching to T5s. Great light

 

[LeftyReefer]

Here is another vote for either Smat Farm for around $130, or if budget allows, the Noopsyche V7.

I would take either of those lights over a viparspectra anyday.... I replaced my viparspectras with Smat Farm. Much better lights all around.