Best low cost LED system

KoralKeith · May 27, 2012

just wondering what the best low cost (under 500$) LED system there was out there.

Reef Breeders · May 27, 2012

What size tank are you looking to light?

KoralKeith · May 27, 2012

30 gallon

KoralKeith · May 27, 2012

I'm actually debating maybe a DIY project. can't mAKe up my mind

dsmhero · May 27, 2012

Ace25 · May 27, 2012

By my estimate, it would cost $400 tops for a very nice DIY light with a typhoon controller for that size tank. $185 for the 24 LED kit from rapidled, I would get 6 cool whites, 2 warm whites, 8 royal blue, and 8 of their "uv" which is really actinic/violet. It will bump the price up to about $200 with those colors. Then you need a heatsink, 6"x20" black one with the splash shield is $59 at rapidled, a typhoon controller for $55 from boostled + project box to put it in ($10), and a couple PWM fans for $20. A little ABS plastic from tapplastics if you want to make a shell around it will cost another $20. That is if you can solder, if you need solderless it will cost a little more but still under $500.

Manners · May 28, 2012

I always wanted to get the marineland reef capable LED system but people's number 1 complaint with them was no timer, but luckily they just released a new system with a timer pre installed, so I think I'm going to pick one of those up for my 65g.

Reef Breeders · May 28, 2012

Manners said:
I always wanted to get the marineland reef capable LED system but people's number 1 complaint with them was no timer, but luckily they just released a new system with a timer pre installed, so I think I'm going to pick one of those up for my 65g.

I would go diy over marineland, they are not nearly reef capable. They go dim after a year, and have negligible PAR output

Manners · May 28, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
I would go diy over marineland, they are not nearly reef capable. They go dim after a year, and have negligible PAR output

I sadly have no DIY skills or electrician skills what so ever lol.. My house would catch on fire before I could even light my tank.

NanoNathan · May 28, 2012

Manners said:
I always wanted to get the marineland reef capable LED system but people's number 1 complaint with them was no timer, but luckily they just released a new system with a timer pre installed, so I think I'm going to pick one of those up for my 65g.

dont do it i bought these as my first leds, one strip would never do a tank at least 2 you will need and for the price its not worth it. low par, the beams on the light is so tight i needed two 18 inc units just to light a 20g high tank. with one you would have to choose more light in the front or the back or the middle with dark spots. I replaced it with a unit the same as anemonekeep is/was selling and they are amazing!!!! for the price

dc4 · May 28, 2012

AI Sol Super blue w/ their controller would be more than enough for a 30g. I'm running 2 over my 72G with mixed reef and I couldn't be happier.

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GrouperStupor · May 28, 2012

The MarineLands are nice, but I love the Stunner strips. They are really small. But on my 30 long I'm using a 36" marineland and a dual T5 (I run them one at a time). I have different color bulbs in the T5. They are carry-overs form another tank. If I had bought lights specfically for this tank, I would have gotten stunners. 3 or 4 of them would look really slick on a 30.

Aquarium Lighting & LED Lights: ecoxotic Stunner LED Strip

dmatt88 · May 28, 2012

I'm an Apollo guy but they do require a controller. Check AI.

....... I'm Matt n i have a reef obsession.

mfdrookie516 · May 28, 2012

I've read a lot of good things about these lights - 120 Watt DIMMABLE coral reef LED fixture 120w white blue grow light | eBay

I'm going to get one for my 40 breeder. I know several people who have a very similar non-dimmable model that have all been very happy, and one person who loves this dimmable model.

jiungerich · May 28, 2012

I am looking at getting a solderless DIY 24 led kit from reefled lights. They look nice but i have to buy an apex controller now.

before i realized DIY was the best cheapest way i was looking at these leds units

OCReef XP-EÂ® 60 Watt CREEâ„¢ LED Aquarium Light with 3 Watt High Intensity LED's
LED Aquarium Lighting | Evolution LED Lights
(probably the EVO100 for your tank.)

But i have no clue how to build even the solder-less DIY kit but my LFS said they would help me put it together.