SB or Reef Breeder LEDs

[sghera64]

has anybody here used the sb sBox Extreme 32" Wifi and is there any big difference between that and the sBox Elite 30" (Ramping)

I got two of the sBox Extreme 32" WiFi over my 135 (6 ft long). I watched the 2 instructional videos on the website (1. to connect to WiFi and 2. to program) before doing anything. Mine worked just like in the video. I did not find any hassle. I like being able to sit in front of the tank and change light settings as well as be able to monitor on-board temperature with the WiFi via my phone.

At first, I simply connected the lights to the main house router. The video does not recommend this, but I found it worked without any problem for the first unit I installed. Due to distance and interference, the second light could not hold the connection unless I moved it a few feet closer to the router (which was upstairs on the other side of the house). So, I ended up using an old router and dedicated it to the two lights - - - just like the video actually recommends.

You don't need a router if you go with one light - - just connect your phone to the onboard WiFi. But, if you want to control two at the same time and switch quickly between the two (to monitor temperature, or synch the clocks), then you need to connect to another external WiFI router.

Hope this helps. I think you will be happy with either RB or SB. Both seem to have strong fans on R2R and I don't see a lot of consistent thumbs down.

 

[chamjack]

I'm in this same boat. For RB's how many would I need for a 6' 125 gal? Someone above has 2 24's. Is that enough? My current tank is an aio so I didn't have to choose lights. I have what the hood came with

Here’s a pic of my 2 24” Photon V2’s over my 6’ 125 gal. Notice the shadowing at the edges? It’s actually way brighter in person than the picture shows (iPhone pic). My tank also has a center brace. Granted mine is mainly LPS coral, but everything does fine and the shadowing is not bad in person IMO. Hope that helps.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm in this same boat. For RB's how many would I need for a 6' 125 gal? Someone above has 2 24's. Is that enough? My current tank is an aio so I didn't have to choose lights. I have what the hood came with.

IMO , for best possible coverage , end to end fixtures , and you can keep them low.
With fixtures slightly smaller , you’ll need to raise them up.
I belive with the RB, like the SB, that Heith would be about 12in.

You may possibly see the dip in Light , but not likely.

Small trade offs.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Would a 48" do the same job as 2 24"?

 

[Fishfinder]

No if you wanted 1 fixture get the 50"

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

IMO. Yes.

 

[Dave Dumanski]

I agree with fishfinder I think the 48 is too small for a 6' tank

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I agree with fishfinder I think the 48 is too small for a 6' tank

Unless you leave an 8 in gap on the sides and in the middle.

It’s actually better coverage than four Radions or three ap700.

 

[Fishfinder]

I would go with 1 50". It's cheaper than 2 24"s and better coverage. I have 2 32"s on my 7' with no dead spots

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would go with 1 50". It's cheaper than 2 24"s and better coverage. I have 2 32"s on my 7' with no dead spots

Yep. Bottom line. Price point.

 

[Dave Dumanski]

this is straight off the RB website FAQ section

 

[chamjack]

Would a 48" do the same job as 2 24"?

I don’t think so because you would have more shadowing at the edges. You have 12” from the side of the 48 to the edge of the tank where you only have 6” on each side of a 24(depending on your spacing more or less). The spread on the 24s overlap the light gap between them in the middle making the center brighter than the side shadowing. If your tank has a center brace, that will block light from a single fixture being over it also. Contact Reefbreeders. They are very helpful and won’t steer you wrong. They used to have a chart for tank sizes and light options taking into account for shadowing but I don’t see it on the website now.

 

[chamjack]

Oops, Dave found it before I posted.

 

[Dave Dumanski]

they have a lot of charts under FAQ from tank size recommendations to programming schedules which i found very nice and helpful. also can be saved and modified to your liking with microsoft excel

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I’ve just been putting lights on things for close to 30 years. Dunno.

 

[scardall]

SB 34" Ultra ) https://sbreeflights.com/home/44-ultra-34.html @Dave Dumanski I just ordered the Ultra 45" for my 75g

 

[NY_Caveman]

Just went through this myself. Photon 16-V2 or SB Reef 16" WiFi? I ended up going with the SB Reef 16" WiFi. They seem quite similar overall. Biggest differences I found while researching was:

Reef Breeders Photon:

• control of more colors (6 channels)
• sleeker design
• +$100 more in price

SB Reef WiFi:

• control of 3 color channels (white, blue, moon)
• more of a black box design
• includes UV LEDs

I went with the SB for three reasons:

1. UV included (despite the fact they may burn out faster than other LEDs from my research)
2. cheaper
3. it seems like an easy box for those they may want to customize their LED up front and over time (I am not certain ReefBreeders is any more difficult to toy with, but I was certain I could open and work in the SB Reef light).

 

[Susan Edwards]

Great info and feedback. Looks like I could start with 2 24's of either brand, and add a 3rd later when budget and coral needs allow. 2 32's are more than my present budget, even though lights aren't on my buy list until april or may--after I start the cycle. I assume I do not need lights until I'm ready for corals to be added and a short delay of lighting might delay the ugly algae issues?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Great info and feedback. Looks like I could start with 2 24's of either brand, and add a 3rd later when budget and coral needs allow. 2 32's are more than my present budget, even though lights aren't on my buy list until april or may--after I start the cycle. I assume I do not need lights until I'm ready for corals to be added and a short delay of lighting might delay the ugly algae issues?

IMO , now that you have some ideas , keep an eye out for deals. A lot of folks just upgraded.

As was mentioned with the Radion or kessil reference , you could easily light the tank with four black boxes , just higher. (Might not be to your design tastes.)

And yea. It’s pretty much just to add energy for the coral and let the other stuff burn nutrients out of the system.

On my 48in, I went with 3 16in SB.
Total and complete overkill according to most. But affordable and the coverage is spectacular imo.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Sound advice @saltyfilmfolks Design not as important as results as I want an awesome tank in the living room to enjoy and show off!