SB Reef Lights

[tigé21v]

Ok one last question. I have an apex and watch the two videos about hacking the SB reef lights to work with apex. However, I am not sure which model that would apply to. Can the wifi versions be made to work with apex or should I go with the Pro? I would assume the wifi version does not contain physical dimming modules to tie into.

Thanks guys. I will call. I have gotten used to my separate moon lights with my T5s and would like to have that channel too. Worse case I can get separate moon lights but...

Pulled the trigger on a couple 16" basic lights. Also ordered a VDM to control them. I will use some alum angle to bolt them together for a tank mount and let the Apex handle the ramping. So much under budget I also ordered the LSM! Was debating getting a 3rd light but can always add another later if my corals say they need more.

Will the Apex (with a VDM) work with the basic lights?

 

[Rickyb1982]

Will the Apex (with a VDM) work with the basic lights?

Yeap

 

[tigé21v]

Straight out of the box?? Or is there some sort of hack you'd still have to do?

 

[RobertP]

No, the basic wont work out of the box with apex. Still need the vdm cable to replace the potentiometer. There are youtube videos that look straight forward. I should be doing this next week so will try to post something.

 

[Rickyb1982]

Straight out of the box?? Or is there some sort of hack you'd still have to do?

Yes you have to hack them but it's pretty simple !! They have a guy named Troy Long on Facebook that makes and sells a plug and play kit

 

[southern186]

What about the elites?will they work with apex?

 

[tigé21v]

Yes you have to hack them but it's pretty simple !! They have a guy named Troy Long on Facebook that makes and sells a plug and play kit

Hopefully Mr. Troy Long has an alternate way to contact him. I don't Facebook.
For those who own the 16" basic lights, would one be enough for a 58 rimless (36x18x20 high)? Or would a 32" be better?
Thinking about setting up a zoa garden in that tank.

 

[newbiereefer585]

Check out cj's aquarium YouTube channel just set up same tank and went with ocean revives and the coverage is awesome and about half the price

 

[Rickyb1982]

Hopefully Mr. Troy Long has an alternate way to contact him. I don't Facebook.
For those who own the 16" basic lights, would one be enough for a 58 rimless (36x18x20 high)? Or would a 32" be better?
Thinking about setting up a zoa garden in that tank.

the 32" would be better or the 30"!! I can find out to see if I can get his email for you

 

[RobertP]

Got my SB Reef lights on Friday. These 2 are 16" basic. I tested to verify they worked then opened them up and wired in the apex cables. I have the both lights wired together so I can control the blues and whites separately.
Also added the apex Lunar module and 4 lights. Tried to zip tie everything up to make it look better.
Ha e the blues at 60% and whites at 40%.

 

[RobertP]

Oh thw other thing I did was turn around one pkug on each light. Thought it was stupid not to have both power cords facing the rear so cpuple bolts later they were turned around.

 

[domination2580]

Got my SB Reef lights on Friday. These 2 are 16" basic. I tested to verify they worked then opened them up and wired in the apex cables. I have the both lights wired together so I can control the blues and whites separately.
Also added the apex Lunar module and 4 lights. Tried to zip tie everything up to make it look better.
Ha e the blues at 60% and whites at 40%.

What did you use for supporting both lights?

 

[RobertP]

Just used one apex cable and split it to both lights. Each apex cable comes with 2 blacks and 2 reds. Use one pair for white and one for blues.

The ramp down is awesome. Seeing colors I have never seen in my tank before. Coming from a 4 bulb T5 I never knew what I was missing.

 

[domination2580]

Sorry I meant like stand wise...i see you used some sort of l shaped metal to combine both lights to go across the top of the tank

 

[RobertP]

I used 1 inch aluminum angle. SB Reef has a youtube video that explained in more detail. Basically you use the 2 side screws on each light and drill holes in the angle. Added a little krylon and called it good.
I added a 1 inch aluminum square tube to the back to mount the moon lights.

 

[USMC4Life]

Anyone seen the new SBreeflight that came out ?

 

[JAMSOURY]

Anyone seen the new SBreeflight that came out ?

It looks pretty cool to me but I wonder what other people's input is?

 

[USMC4Life]

I love the lights they have. I had one for a short time but had to give it back to some one that let me barrow it. Still have not found a light I like as much as I like SB. But they are too expensive for my wallet at the moment. So I'm using some crappy light for now.