Which one would you get?

ndz98 · Dec 22, 2015

If it were you buying a light, which one would you feel better about buying? Both cost about $250. First one is an SBox Reef Lights Elite 16in wifi and the second one is a Reef Radiance Starfire.

cameronh · Dec 22, 2015

Dang man haha! You are really on the search for lights! Just go with the kessil

all my zoas have three new heads a piece. And the two polyps I have had forever and have not spawned, have finally produced a new polyp! How long have the reef radiance been out?

ndz98 · Dec 22, 2015

Looks like they've been out since 2009. I saw they had a cool deal with there lights where if you post about the lights 5 times on a forum you get 30% off.

cameronh · Dec 22, 2015

Well, I would take them up on that. Hope you make your decision soon, ready to see your tank with a much much better light buddy

Breakthecycle2 · Dec 22, 2015

Neither..Radions. lol

soggytees · Dec 23, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
Neither..Radions. lol

Agreed. Radions are the best.

ndz98 · Dec 23, 2015

Also much pricier...

cameronh · Dec 23, 2015

ndz98 said:
Also much pricier...

You tell'em! Lol

twilliard · Dec 23, 2015

Orphek

Ok just kidding!
Starfire based on spectrum and mixed lenses but no Wi-Fi

Jlobes · Dec 23, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
Neither..Radions. lol

ndz98 said:
Also much pricier...

you get what ya pay for....
even used radions would be a worthwhile investment, considering that they can be upgraded to the current gen, at any time. you could probably get a used gen2 for a decent price, and it would be a huge upgrade from those fixtures.

twilliard · Dec 23, 2015

Jlobes said:
you get what ya pay for....

100% agreed!

ndz98 · Dec 23, 2015

Even used is still pricey. Then you also run the risk of something breaking and it not being under warranty. Much rather have something that is new that I know if there is a problem the warranty will cover it. Believe me I would rather have better a lot of things for my tank but I can only do as my budget allows at 17. Some day I will upgrade to better lights but right now either of these would be better than what I'm using currently. MUCH better. I was just wondering which one of these would be the better light though. I'm trying to spend around 250-300. The Starfire says it connects to the app on your phone to be programmed.

Jlobes · Dec 23, 2015

good luck with your hunt/search. honestly I cant recommend either of those lights, but let us know what you choose and how it works out for ya.

ihavecrabs · Dec 23, 2015

ndz98 said:
Even used is still pricey. Then you also run the risk of something breaking and it not being under warranty. Much rather have something that is new that I know if there is a problem the warranty will cover it. Believe me I would rather have better a lot of things for my tank but I can only do as my budget allows at 17. Some day I will upgrade to better lights but right now either of these would be better than what I'm using currently. MUCH better. I was just wondering which one of these would be the better light though. I'm trying to spend around 250-300. The Starfire says it connects to the app on your phone to be programmed.

For that range pick up a used T5HO fixture. LEDs are amazing when you get a worthwhile unit. However, they can be horrible to if you get lower quality and extremely hard to dial in.

With T5, if something breaks, you can replace nearly every piece very inexpensively if you have basic DIY skills.

FYI I picked up an older Nova Extreme Pro 6x54 for around $75 with new bulbs costing 6x$17 I was all in for $177. I switched from Evergrow IT2060 LEDs and have much better success with SPS.

I included a video of the inhabitants of the tank to give you a better idea of what I have, what I can keep under this light, and visual health of the system. Light is about 14" above the water line. Slowly lowering it [emoji16]

Wiz · Dec 23, 2015

I use rr 165p+ x2. Think they are starfires just old name. They run great. I have very mixed reef and all grow fine. Max 60% white and 75% blue.
Imo, not only are radions rediculas price wise but I know 2 people who have them and can't use even half the power without burning coral. Seems like overkill to me.
My rr units grow sps, lps, softies, zoas etc... almost a year now. Awsome

steve&mari · Dec 23, 2015

I'm also looking at the sbreeflights but the 32" WiFi model. If you get the sb light post review on it please. I think they have a nice mixture and have both 90 and 120 degree optics also the lens are silica not plastic so last longer with truer spectrum. You don't need 1k up in lighting to have a happy colorful growing reef. Buy within your budget and what you're happy with.