What light should I use that's cheap and good

[Rayhaifa469]

I started a 38 gallon bow front tank, purchased it from petco it came with basic led lights I don't know how strong the light are or anything about the led lights I have. I want to upgrade and since I'm upgrading the lights I'm looking for lights that will grows soft and hard corals any suggestions I'm also looking for lights that won't heat up my water??????

 

[fab]

Depends on what you mean by cheap. ...and by good. The two usually do not go hand in hand unless you have a low threshold for one or the other.

• Metal hallide lamps heat water the most by a lot, are most expensive to operate and the quickest to burn out and need replacement.
• LED lights heat the least and have cost benefits in the long run as they are least expensive to operate and last the longest by far.
• Fluorescents are in between on all those counts. But they do have the lowest initial purchase prices.

 

[DSPENCE]

LED's won't heat up the tank.
T5 fluorescents are by far my favorite. Don't put out the heat of a halide, I get great growth and I can keep any animal.

 

[Sir Chris]

100$ and bought 1 set of bulbs in 2 yrs. but I have a par meter. And also if u get one like this buy new bulbs like blue plus and 10k day. I'm currently in a hybrid search for t5 4 total and 2/3 ufo LEDs between the 2 bars. As DSPENSE said t5s r easy and work well less r new so kinks and prices r drop on fast but still on newer side. I have a 30 gal and that was the hood 2 people said get out of 15 while the other argued over what's better led or t5s. Halide or hps r not cost efficient. And I've been goin for 2 years now. Sorry for long messages. I like it here

 

[Sir Chris]

Hope this helps. I'd go 2 all ur lfs 1st 2 support them aswell as see 1st hand what there using and y for what type of corals or nems.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

The Chinese ones on amazon/ebay have gained popularity. At the last frag swap I was at every single vendor had them. Kinda surprised me, but eh..
I would only get them if they came with wide angle lenses, but I haven't seen any yet..

 

[vic67]

Look at SB Reef Lights; they're a sponsor here and I am very happy with what I got.