Hello everyone, as the title says I am looking for some lights to add pop as well as to simulate dawn/dusk before and after the metal halides come on. I am running 4x400 watt Radium metal halides on a tank that measures 72”x54”x30”. I am leaning towards some type of LED bar. Are there any LED strip lights that can ramp up and down? I’m not too familiar with all of the brands of LED.
Actinic and dawn/dusk compliment to my metal halide
- Thread starter djf91
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bobnicaragua
Well-Known Member
Probably don't want to spend more on accent lights than your main lights cost.
sbreeflights.com
Dimmable soo probably can add a controller BUT need to know the dimming protocol
My guess would be there are multiple ways.
Probably comes w/ a Potentiometer for dimming which usually means one can use 10 v analog as well.
Like so:
reefbreeders.com
You want it all in one simple package ONE idea is use this frame and some redsea leds
They run like 75% blue diodes so you don't throw out a lot if potential.
60 or 72" frame and 3-ish 50w programmable pucks will set you back $900 - ish.
Food for thought.
Anyways fairly obvious that manuf. don't want light bars competing with their main lights.
And there are driver issues as well.
And few ( if any ) " cheap" 10v controllers.
sBar Supplemental Actinic Bar Light
Fast and easy to install an sBar lights. Perfect for custom lighting into canopy, sump, refugium or etc.
Dimmable soo probably can add a controller BUT need to know the dimming protocol
My guess would be there are multiple ways.
Probably comes w/ a Potentiometer for dimming which usually means one can use 10 v analog as well.
Like so:
LumenBar Color - ReefBreeders.com
The LumenBar Color is the perfect way to add some pop to your current lighting system.
reefbreeders.com
You want it all in one simple package ONE idea is use this frame and some redsea leds
They run like 75% blue diodes so you don't throw out a lot if potential.
60 or 72" frame and 3-ish 50w programmable pucks will set you back $900 - ish.
Food for thought.
Anyways fairly obvious that manuf. don't want light bars competing with their main lights.
And there are driver issues as well.
And few ( if any ) " cheap" 10v controllers.
Bpb
2500 Club Member
I'm budget minded so I always consider that first...But performance wise I'd probably go with 3 reef brite xho actinic strips. Running the length of the tank. One in the middle, and one on each outer end. The orphek strips are cool but with how close the halides are mounted, you'd have distinct blue hot spots when the leds only are running. The reef brite have much wider spread so it would look more even. T5's would be nice obviously. its a time tested combo....but honestly your Halides are PLENTY in the spectrum and spread category. You wont really benefit from those aspects of T5 really.
djf91
Well-Known Member
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Yea, I was hoping to keep it cheaper. I think that might be a little too much money for me. I’d probly go T5s but I don’t want to deal with more bulb changes in addition to the MH.Probably don't want to spend more on accent lights than your main lights cost.
sBar Supplemental Actinic Bar Light
Fast and easy to install an sBar lights. Perfect for custom lighting into canopy, sump, refugium or etc.
Dimmable soo probably can add a controller BUT need to know the dimming protocol
My guess would be there are multiple ways.
Probably comes w/ a Potentiometer for dimming which usually means one can use 10 v analog as well.
Like so:
LumenBar Color - ReefBreeders.com
The LumenBar Color is the perfect way to add some pop to your current lighting system.
You want it all in one simple package ONE idea is use this frame and some redsea leds
They run like 75% blue diodes so you don't throw out a lot if potential.
60 or 72" frame and 3-ish 50w programmable pucks will set you back $900 - ish.
Food for thought.
Anyways fairly obvious that manuf. don't want light bars competing with their main lights.
And there are driver issues as well.
And few ( if any ) " cheap" 10v controllers.
Are there any cheap black box options for rampability? I didn’t realize that was such an expensive feature.
Need to find constant voltage bars
Off the beaten oath and need more info on them.
Vitamini LED 48
The newest in lighting power is here! Available and ready to go to their new homes. Modular and hyper efficient - mix and match with any lighting system from Hydra, Illumagic and other major brands. Simply use the included clips and attach them to your existing lighting system for added coverage...
uniquecorals.com
Never mind, looks like dc power is built in the light head.
Too bad
Last edited:
djf91
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2019
- Messages
- 868
- Reaction score
- 693
Need to find constant voltage bars
Off the beaten oath and need more info on them.
Vitamini LED 48
The newest in lighting power is here! Available and ready to go to their new homes. Modular and hyper efficient - mix and match with any lighting system from Hydra, Illumagic and other major brands. Simply use the included clips and attach them to your existing lighting system for added coverage...
Never mind, looks like dc power is built in the light head.
Too bad
Trying to follow you on this. So, would I be plug and play with the second Amazon link you posted?
The one listed for $154.95
NOTE!!!! The one w/ the controller is 50/50 white blue......
In the fine print
.
Single bar lists this:
44" ReefBar Pro Ultra Actinic Blue/Red/UV Aquarium LED Light 42 x 3W Bridgelux LED reef saltwater salt water
44" ReefBar Pro Ultra Actinic Blue/Red/UV Aquarium LED Light 42 x 3W Bridgelux LED For saltwater coral reef
www.21ledusa.com
Last edited:
bobnicaragua
Well-Known Member
I'm running reef brite 20k bulbs. The whiter pic is just the halides and the second is with orphek, t5, and halides.
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