Best affordable LED fixture for 40B

[Sphyrna_gal]

Hey all! Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all these light fixture options..I'm researching to upgrade my lighting fixture from my CURRENT (36" current Orbit Marine IC LED) as after I got a PAR reader the highest I have in my tank is still under 100 and the fixture sits right on the tank so it's not like I can move it closer. I've searched the forum it seems other reefers have 40B so maybe this thread will be helpful for them too. (Hi fellow 40s, btw!)

Looked into some of the LED fixtures other hobbyists have mentioned on here and it seems they are about $700-$1000. Sure, they look NICE but is there a medium range, haha! Thinking $300/$350 range is more my budget but willing to stretch it if its a more long term fixture that will mean better conditions for my coral. Already have about $300 in the light system I got that came with all the good reviews..*UGH* I do love it controls powerheads too- having everything on one remote is nice but obviously it isn't enough. If I can't find something else maybe I will just get another one of the fixture type I have and upgrade to the NICE NICE later?

I can't do a ceiling mounted option where my tank is.
I would also love if anyone knew of a fixture that could be added onto later if I do upgrade my tank to a 48"+ tank later.


Current have:
Acans, Hammers, Zoas, xenia, GSP, Monti caps.

 

[JoJosReef]

Hey all! Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all these light fixture options..I'm researching to upgrade my lighting fixture from my CURRENT (36" current Orbit Marine IC LED) as after I got a PAR reader the highest I have in my tank is still under 100 and the fixture sits right on the tank so it's not like I can move it closer. I've searched the forum it seems other reefers have 40B so maybe this thread will be helpful for them too. (Hi fellow 40s, btw!)

Looked into some of the LED fixtures other hobbyists have mentioned on here and it seems they are about $700-$1000. Sure, they look NICE but is there a medium range, haha! Thinking $300/$350 range is more my budget but willing to stretch it if its a more long term fixture that will mean better conditions for my coral. Already have about $300 in the light system I got that came with all the good reviews..*UGH* I do love it controls powerheads too- having everything on one remote is nice but obviously it isn't enough. If I can't find something else maybe I will just get another one of the fixture type I have and upgrade to the NICE NICE later?

I can't do a ceiling mounted option where my tank is.
I would also love if anyone knew of a fixture that could be added onto later if I do upgrade my tank to a 48"+ tank later.


Current have:
Acans, Hammers, Zoas, xenia, GSP, Monti caps.

I run 3x Noopsyche K7 Minis. At ~$80 a pop, very budget friendly. At ~50% you'll hit 300 PAR on your rocks and 100-150 on the sand bed.

 

[oreo54]

Hey all! Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all these light fixture options..I'm researching to upgrade my lighting fixture from my CURRENT (36" current Orbit Marine IC LED) as after I got a PAR reader the highest I have in my tank is still under 100 and the fixture sits right on the tank so it's not like I can move it closer. I've searched the forum it seems other reefers have 40B so maybe this thread will be helpful for them too. (Hi fellow 40s, btw!)

Looked into some of the LED fixtures other hobbyists have mentioned on here and it seems they are about $700-$1000. Sure, they look NICE but is there a medium range, haha! Thinking $300/$350 range is more my budget but willing to stretch it if its a more long term fixture that will mean better conditions for my coral. Already have about $300 in the light system I got that came with all the good reviews..*UGH* I do love it controls powerheads too- having everything on one remote is nice but obviously it isn't enough. If I can't find something else maybe I will just get another one of the fixture type I have and upgrade to the NICE NICE later?

I can't do a ceiling mounted option where my tank is.
I would also love if anyone knew of a fixture that could be added onto later if I do upgrade my tank to a 48"+ tank later.


Current have:
Acans, Hammers, Zoas, xenia, GSP, Monti caps.

How much control do you want?
There are "cheap" light bars w/ zero or limited control then there are full control (def of "full" varies) types.
A 35" Helix bar is $195-ish and 60 watts..
Really couldn't probably get away w/ less than 2 bars ... soo $400-ish
Manual dimming included.. 0-10v w/ optional controller.

2-3 Nicrew 50's plus controller is about $300 total.
There are asst "like" lights in the same range.

Both have tank mounts but you need to verify if they fit your tank rim.
Well I've cut rims to have lights fit though. Look it up though.

As to your livestock list and the above lights suitability, I'll leave that to others.

Adding another bar of the same does come close to doubling your PAR (just physics)That option is only $144

Orbit Marine IC LOOP (36" - 48") Accessory LED Light Fixture ONLY (4126) - Current USA

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

This light fixture is an accessory LED light for existing Orbit IC LED systems with a LOOP® controller. It cannot be used as a stand-alone light fixture and must be connected to an Orbit IC light manifold HUB with a LOOP® controller.

IC not IC pro..
Manuf lists 50 par @ 18" in water.. So 2 would double that approx..
36-48" 36 watts each. At $4/watt not the best deal. 1/2 watt emitters.

Diode nm..

Dual Actinic LEDs 445nm/460nm Blue	Dual Daylight LEDs 6700K/10000K White

Any multiple puck styles should be "transferable with additions to a longer tank or you could over buy (this gets tricky as to what is "over buy") wattage.
Say 2 150W Nicrews. At $440-ish total not the worst idea.

Of course it gets even trickier if you change from moderate to high light demand organisms in the future.

Or the how long you wait syndrome where your old lights are no longer made or have dimmed or have been upgraded so now they don't exactly match issue.

There are plenty of reviews on all the more common lights here and at other forums.

 

[Steven Garland]

The Quanta Helix dimmable led strip lights look amazing. Using quad core diodes instead of single diodes. So the "royal" leds have 3 royal blues and 1 regular blue I believe and the "violet" diodes have 2 different spectrums and them the whites I believe are single diode.

Quanta Helix Reef Crest Daylight

Sell Sheet for Quanta Ultra Specs Electrical: Wattage 3 way selectable 240/200/150 Watts; 100-277VAC, 0-10V Dimming, IP 65 splashproof rated Driver: Premium Sosen Driver, UL Listed, High Efficiency, 16’ heavy duty grounded cord LED: 720 LEDs/light, Premium Quality SMD2835 Lumiled diodes...

www.quanta-lights.com

Under $600 for 3 bars,and tank mounts.

Helix 3-Light Bar Combo

Take the guesswork out of lighting your reef tank. The 3-Light Bar Combo is a great fit for most 18" wide tanks keeping everything from Softies, LPS and Mixed Reef. For a more blue tank look, look no further than the Blue+ Combo. This combo includes: 2 Meso Blue & 1 Reef Crest Daylight and is...

www.quanta-lights.com

 

[BetteMidler]

Noo-Psyche K7 Pro. I would go for Two over a 40B & add a 3rd when you go to 48". Both lights with tank mounting arms & a single controller should be under $450.

If you want something to beat that Current branded light for cheap, get two K7 minis. That would be under $200. If you need a third, it would only be $100 more. Still in your budget of $300.

The Pros are more ideal for a 48" tank.

 

[mdpitts]

We are in the same boat!!! I bought TWO of the Orbit Marine lights 36" and have been unhappy and I'm on a budget. Also spent about $300 on mine. I didn't see this thread on my search so I hope folks don't get bummed my new thread is so similar.

Did you end up pulling the trigger on anything?

 

[Derrick0580]

24” reef breeder photon hands down

 

[Sphyrna_gal]

We are in the same boat!!! I bought TWO of the Orbit Marine lights 36" and have been unhappy and I'm on a budget. Also spent about $300 on mine. I didn't see this thread on my search so I hope folks don't get bummed my new thread is so similar.

Did you end up pulling the trigger on anything?

I ended up getting a NICREW 36" led bar and using that with my Orbit fixture. It about doubled my PAR readings and since my corals have been doing better.

You have TWO!? Did you happen to have PAR readings with the two- I almost just got another one as well but since the NICREW was cheaper and ended up hitting my goals I stuck with the cheaper fixture. It's too bad because I do like all the light functions on the orbit- the whole storm settings are cool and I did get 2 of their current powerheads for it (which..those aren't really worth it to be honest) but overall the orbit is more geared for a nicer?? FOWLR or at least a more low key type reef set up? Although again you can definitely find cheaper LED bars.

On another lighting note: since we plan on upgrading soonish to a 48"+ tank I am trying out another fixture on our 20L frag tank that I will be able to transfer over- a NICREW HyperReef Gen 2 Reef LED Light. So far that is going well, although you kinda have to get their controller with it to be able to really dial in the settings. I need to do PAR readings for that one but haven't yet

 

[aquaman67]

I have Nero 3s in my 50 gallon softie / mushroom tank.

When my RedSea ReefLED 90 lost its wifi connection for the ump-teenth time I replaced it with a single 30” AI Blade Grow.

It’s sitting right on top of the tank. No stand-offs.

I love it. It’s super adjustable. There are videos on YouTube to help you program it if you need. You can always just run the pre-set programs.

It’s reasonably priced and you can upscale easily by simply adding more.