Vispectra price drop amazon

[Stang67]

Just got a notice they dropped to 119.00 for the 165 w. They had been 140.00

 

[Jekyl]

Id check local reefers. Can usually find black boxes for 50-$75

 

[brmc1985]

Id check local reefers. Can usually find black boxes for 50-$75

Not all black boxes are the same though. The VIPARSPECTRA is actually not a bad light. I have one on my frag tank and it grows and colors them up nicely.

 

[Jekyl]

Not all black boxes are the same though. The VIPARSPECTRA is actually not a bad light. I have one on my frag tank and it grows and colors them up nicely.

I never said they were bad. I started with them. However they are all about the same. I had the marsaqua version

 

[brmc1985]

I never said they were bad. I started with them. However they are all about the same. I had the marsaqua version

Sorry. I wasn’t saying that you were saying that black boxes were all bad. I was just trying to say that the VIPARSPECTRA is a pretty good light black box wise. I am not knocking on black boxes at all as that is what I started off with too. I was just trying to say that they are not all the same and the VIPARSPECTRA is somewhat “proven” via me and BRS.

 

[Stang67]

I agree in fact just picked up 2 marsaquas from a local for 50 a piece. Needed to add to my current 2 for an upgrade and like that I can daisy chain them. Cant find them online. Just though it may help if some one was looking for entry level light.

 

[outhouse]

I can daisy chain them

viparspectra do not daisy chain, and their automatic timers for 2 channels is what makes them a decent BB, that why mars are cheaper

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

viparspectra do not daisy chain, and their automatic timers for 2 channels is what makes them a decent BB, that why mars are cheaper

Mars also makes plant grow lights in the same cheap black box configuration and they put out double the heat per diode as decent LED's. Ran them for one cycle and literally gave them away on Craigslist

 

[outhouse]

they put out double the heat per diode as decent LED's.

Thats what makes the difference with viparspectra and ocean revives, OR had a little bit of a heatsink plate. I run mine on low intensity and never had an issue in 5 years. Other then them being to strong and cooking some LPS. I had to learn to turn them down the hard way

 

[outhouse]

On a side note both the local reef shop use OR lights professionally because they work and are cost effective

 

[am3gross]

I have 4 of the Viparspectra 300s that I had on my 375 in the beginning. Used less then 6 months. I need to sell them, just don't want to deal with shipping.

They were decent lights, very bright, but thought they were the reason I could not grow coral so I upgraded to the Ecotechs. I would still be using them honestly if I knew now what I didn't know then.

 

[outhouse]

they were the reason I could not grow coral

Dont feel bad, I had my intensity to high for years with no growth and waisted years. Turning them down and all growth returned and tank looking great again

 

[Kuhmens]

Dont feel bad, I had my intensity to high for years with no growth and waisted years. Turning them down and all growth returned and tank looking great again

curious to what the settings you have? as I run them on both my tanks

 

[Bpb]

They work fine for just about everything you can reasonably acquire in this hobby. Using a par meter to set your intensity level will save you a lot of headache and time. The only reason people ever struggle with them is incorrect intensity setting and mounting them too low

 

[Gtinnel]

I have 4 of the Viparspectra 300s that I had on my 375 in the beginning. Used less then 6 months. I need to sell them, just don't want to deal with shipping.

They were decent lights, very bright, but thought they were the reason I could not grow coral so I upgraded to the Ecotechs. I would still be using them honestly if I knew now what I didn't know then.

I use 2 of the 300w viparspectra on my 125g tank, and I have what I consider pretty good coral growth. I've always wondered if I upgraded to a premium brand of lights would I see any difference in color or growth. I take it upgrading to the radions didn't make any difference in your tank?

 

[am3gross]

I use 2 of the 300w viparspectra on my 125g tank, and I have what I consider pretty good coral growth. I've always wondered if I upgraded to a premium brand of lights would I see any difference in color or growth. I take it upgrading to the radions didn't make any difference in your tank?

So far no, but I have way to much going on to say that it wont make a difference at some point. Once I get things going in the right direction I will try and compare them. I have plans to use at least one of the Vipars on a frag tank.

 

[outhouse]

curious to what the settings you have? as I run them on both my tanks

I use ocean revives, which have a hair less power then yours, but use many of the same parts including the digital display/timer and remote. Just a few less leds, but im sure the same 3w leds. In my 210g tank 30" deep I run B at 10% for 8 hours, and W at 2% for 6 hours. great growth now. at 10" above water