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I am literally thinking of switchn my RedSea 90's for my 120reef when I set that back up again...I like these (SMATFARMS) so much...Lots of people are recommending black boxes like Viparspectra., which is a good cheap choice. I recently replaced my Viparspectra's with Smat Farms LED's and they are a nice upgrade from the Viparspectra's. The Smat Farms light can go lower in whites and has a timer that ramps the light up and down, which most black boxes don't have.
The Smat Farm lights have 6 channels that can be adjusted (vs 2 for most black boxes) and are only $110 each. One light will cover about 24" x 24". multiple lights will sync wirelessly too.
I run 2x Noops on my 90g (4ft long), and run them at about 65% and they grow corals very well. No issues and over a year running them.You could also try the Noo-Psyche light. They have a 20% sale going right now... so should be around $185 - you would need two to cover the whole tank.
Agree, my Viparspectra grew corals fine. I had the 300w unit and my main problem was that even at only 1% whites, it was just too white for my liking. I recently upgraded to Smat Farm lights. With 6 channels, you can tweak the look a bit better than the Viparspectras. They also ramp up and down, which the Viparspectras won't do. The Smat Farms will also run a moonlight setting too. The shimmer from them is better than the Viparspectra too. For only $110 each, they are definitely worth a look.Vivarspectra is one of the best low budget high perfomance lights for coral growth and color
Now that @vetteguy53081 said so, I am going to look them up...lolVivarspectra is one of the best low budget high perfomance lights for coral growth and color
Not sure if anyone said it yet, but @noopsyche lights are amazing. The 75watt V3 are about $160 plus shipping. The 140watt V3 are like $270 plus shipping. For the price, you really can't beat them. Ramp function built in plus great spectrum.just started up my tank it is a 55gallon. I would like to turn into reef eventually. my old light fixture was an T8 but is no longer working looking for a new lighting maybe LED. What do you guys thing is a good lighting system for this budget ?. as far was type of coral I want to grow I am still on the fence for budget wise will say medium- low light. thank you for your input. just getting back into the hobby and it is a little over whelming with everything available.
I would go with t5 from Amazon
Get some nice ati bulbs and you can grow anything
VIVOSUN T5 Grow Lights 4 ft, T5 Light Fixture Bulbs, 6500K HO Fluorescent Tubes, High-Output T5 Bulbs for Indoor Plants, UL Listed, 4 Bulbs, 8 ft Power Cord, 2 Hanging Cables, On/Off Switch
As far as cheap chinese boxes go... its like these. Again, you need two but they $80 each.
Phlzon Led Aquarium Light Full Spectrum for 24" 2ft - T165 for sale online | eBay
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You can totally do it without spending. NICREW LED are great go on Amazon. 69.00 for 30watt 99 for 50 watt. I started with 2 30w on my 55 2 years ago growing lps, sps and softies like crazy. No need to dump money into watts. They do have higher watts. I added a third one in the middle for extra coverage. One thing learned after 35 years of tank keeping don't worry about what others are doing. You can have amazing tank without sinking your walletjust started up my tank it is a 55gallon. I would like to turn into reef eventually. my old light fixture was an T8 but is no longer working looking for a new lighting maybe LED. What do you guys thing is a good lighting system for this budget ?. as far was type of coral I want to grow I am still on the fence for budget wise will say medium- low light. thank you for your input. just getting back into the hobby and it is a little over whelming with everything available.
Great lights been running them and mixed reef thriving. Haven't hung them have 3 30's on a 4 ft 55 gallon spread seems good.My .02 cents i have three Nicrew 30 watt lights on a 3ft tank two channels blue and white 15 minute ramp up and down i stagger my lights ramp up and down. Run white at 55% and blues at 88% in a mixed reef tank a year old, Growing birds nest, digies, porties, even a center of tank red planet acro coloring up and encrusing nicely. Lower i have candy cane garden, hammer garden and acans. The bigest thing i found with these lights was the spread. I had to scrap the goose necks that came with them. From 5 feet away i could see three distinct cones of lights in tank and i could not get an even spread. So i decided to hang them i was able to get even spreed (or so i think) at 8 inches above water level and tank looks much better and corals responded with really good color and growth. The nicrews were 58 bucks a piece and i bought the timer units for 17 bucks a piece so all for the price of one Hd prime. So it has worked fine and looking to get a par meter so i can investigate further. But i sure would like to put 2 Xr15 or Hd's over tank and i might some day. Spend the big bucks to squeeze that little extra out of tank and corals.
My .02 cents i have three Nicrew 30 watt lights on a 3ft tank two channels blue and white 15 minute ramp up and down i stagger my lights ramp up and down. Run white at 55% and blues at 88% in a mixed reef tank a year old, Growing birds nest, digies, porties, even a center of tank red planet acro coloring up and encrusing nicely. Lower i have candy cane garden, hammer garden and acans. The bigest thing i found with these lights was the spread. I had to scrap the goose necks that came with them. From 5 feet away i could see three distinct cones of lights in tank and i could not get an even spread. So i decided to hang them i was able to get even spreed (or so i think) at 8 inches above water level and tank looks much better and corals responded with really good color and growth. The nicrews were 58 bucks a piece and i bought the timer units for 17 bucks a piece so all for the price of one Hd prime. So it has worked fine and looking to get a par meter so i can investigate further. But i sure would like to put 2 Xr15 or Hd's over tank and i might some day. Spend the big bucks to squeeze that little extra out of tank and corals.