Reef light suggestions

[dtracy1119]

I am planning on starting a reef tank soon and just need some suggestions on good solid LEDs. 65g (36 in length x 24 in hight x 18 in deep). Strip LEDs or those black boxes with 24/7 ramping control. Thanks.

 

[Crabs McJones]

The sb reef lights are good lights that have the option to have an internal timer and have ramping capabilities. They will grow pretty much anything you throw under them

 

[nfrench2100]

I’m running a Kessil AP700 over my 75 and I love this fixture. I bit pricey but that’s about the only negative thing I could say about them. Good luck on starting your new reef!

 

[Ron Reefman]

There is no such thing as the best led fixture. Anybody who says the one they have is the best, is really just saying it's the best one for what they want and may be totally wrong for you.

They range from basic 2 channel with manual dimmer to very expensive systems that will kiss your butt if you ask it to. Best is a matter of what features you want and why.

Do some research and figure out what features you want, then ask for an led fixture with those features. Save the rest of us from repeating the same posts over and over again.

Very inexpensive Mars Aqua black box fixtures work just fine and grow coral about as good as a full feature $900 fixture from a high end brand name supplier. That just requires a fair mix of white and blue leds and enough power to make a PAR of 100 or more at 24" deep in your tank. And be aware that all the other features have almost zero effect on the health and growth of corals. They are all for the human that owns it to play with. So you can change the color in the tank and change the intensity up and down as time goes by during the day (sunrise/sunset). Your corals pretty much couldn't care less!

All that said, I like having the 6 channels of led color control, full 24 hour sunrise/sunset/moonlight control in a slim, modern looking fixture that is well made and runs very cool. Oh, and I'd like to keep the cost down as well! So I ended up with Reef Breeders Photon V2 fixtures. And as a sponsor here, they have a sponsor forum so you can ask all the questions you want. BTW, their customer service has been great (I needed it for a early Jebao Crossflow).

 

[Jason mack]

If you can stretch for it I would go with Kessils .. I have 3 Chinese bbs and want to upgrade to kessils

 

[Dana Riddle]

I didn't move much aquarium (not lab) equipment from Hawaii, and bought a couple of used systems once back in Georgia. One came with a couple of black boxes. They met my needs and those of some Acropora, Montipora, Blastomussa, Euphyllia, Acanthastrea, Echinophyllia, several rose anemones, and others. This particular tank is 19 inches deep. Stocking your tank will be expensive enough, so if it were me, I'd go inexpensive on the lights, at least initially, and upgrade later if you desire.

 

[dtracy1119]

Didn't mean to upset you Ron Reefman. I'll try not to ask a very simple question to the many experts on this forum. If you do like the question there's a simple thing to do, Don't Respond! Thank you!

 

[Dpate]

Didn't mean to upset you Ron Reefman. I'll try not to ask a very simple question to the many experts on this forum. If you do like the question there's a simple thing to do, Don't Respond! Thank you!

A little sensitive aren’t you? Ron has been around for quiet a while & definitely knows his stuff! I don’t see anywhere in his response to lead m to believe he’s upset by your post!
No room for snowflakes!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Didn't mean to upset you Ron Reefman. I'll try not to ask a very simple question to the many experts on this forum. If you do like the question there's a simple thing to do, Don't Respond! Thank you!

You may have read his post wrong. He didnt seem upset to me in the least. He was simply explaining that there is no BEST light fixture. It's all going to be personal preference, goals, budget, and room.