The terrifying black box

[Reef kid]

I hate to bring up such a heated topi especially because I'm still fairly new to the hobby. But I am currently running t5's on my 75 gal and have great growth yes, now I only have softies and a few LPS , but When I used to run a black box(the cheap LEDs on eBay) I had even better growth. So instead of spending 90 dollars a year on bulbs for the t5 I am going to attempt two of the black boxes on my 75 and see what happens. What are your guys opinion on this and anyone who has never used these fixtures please don't just say they are terrible, that is not the point.

 

[Sabellafella]

Why is it terrifying. I personally dont like them but ive seen to many tanks ,threads ,people growing corals better then the expensive leds in todays mArket

 

[Reef kid]

Why is it terrifying. I personally dont like them but ive seen to many tanks ,threads ,people growing corals better then the expensive leds in todays mArket

I just know that it's a highly debated topic whether they are good or not. That's why I said what I said.

 

[bobman]

I run them and like them I will say though you can always use a couple t5 to supplement the color.

 

[Sabellafella]

Get em if you dont like em switch back, as with any led light acclimation is a must, only issues ive ever seen eith those black boxes is the fans

 

[Reef kid]

Good advice, what t5's do you run with them?

 

[Reef kid]

Sounds good

 

[trio91]

Do you have a link to these "black box" led's? I am curious and want to see the price/look of them.

 

[Reef kid]

Do you have a link to these "black box" led's? I am curious and want to see the price/look of them.

Here you go, there are even cheaper ones that are very similar, http://www.ebay.com/itm/SunSpect-16...749262?hash=item418de9450e:g:JYIAAOSwFnFV-oNL

 

[lauderdalestunner]

I run 2 on my 90. I like them, should light up a 75 nice.

 

[sawdonkey]

I've had plenty of success with black box led's. My only complaint was that they are only 8 inches wide. On a 24 inch deep tank, this leaves the front and back a little dark and incapable of coloring up SPS. My solution was to use more short fixtures and turn them sideways so the cover the 24 inch span. Another plus to the black boxes is that it's pretty easy to swap out diodes and tweak your spectrum.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I was in the same boat.....running six T5's, with a yearly bulb cost of about $125. I first replaced the T5's with two black boxes....for three years....and about eight months ago added a third black box. I have a mixed reef and the stuff grows like weeds. The reason for three is that I don't have lenses, and therefore get a bit more scatter. They are all in a canopy, so no big deal.

I just chuckle when I read the posts with folks bad-mouthing these fixtures. HERE is the third one I added about eight months ago. When I purchased, it was 78....it has crept up to 90.....but still a deal.

 

[bobman]

 

[eatbreakfast]

I run three on 48"x24" 80g, and am happy with growth and color on a mostly sps tank.

I find that most people that bad mouth them/had bad experiences with them fall into the old adage "it is the poor carpenter that blames his tools"

 

[Reef kid]

Glad to here all the good reviews, thanks guys!

 

[rayn]

I have one as well and have had good luck with it growing corals. I can't complain about them a bit.

I also like the higher priced led lights, but for certain tanks these lights are great.

 

[Reef kid]

Any pics of them with sps?

 

[sawdonkey]

All Chinese LED

 

[Mandrew]

All Chinese LED

I see you also have the jebao pumps, what do you think of those?

 

[Tanggirl12]

Google SB Reef Lights, the spectrums are better.