Black box led lights

[Skynyrd Fish]

I could not find anything about them being out of business. I have a new build coming up and I wanted to put them in an aquatic life hybrid.

 

[TroyClark]

Are these black box lights UL Listed?

 

[Brian_68]

Are these black box lights UL Listed?

No not usually, similar to Ecotech Radions.

 

[GSnake]

I've been running Mars Aqua units over my 125 now since 2015. In 2019 I changed all the diodes and added UV to them.

I can grow anything I wish, but most of the time I'm limited by my budget.

nice tank, can you share your intensity and duration? also did getting UV led's make a difference? I have a similar 165w blackbox since I started the hobby 1 1/2 yrs ago and though I am growing sps slowly, im not sure if im getting the most out of lighting settings. currently at 70% blue 25% white for about 10hrs. I came to these settings after watching the BRS video, but im leaning towards 2:1 blue to white intensity, so about 35% white, cause ive been reading white or full spectrum will give your corals the best natural colour, as they are found in the shallow reefs. I am previously coming from a 4:1 setting, (80% blue, 20% white)

has anyone bleached sps with these blackboxes yet? im afraid to go too high too.

 

[Flippers4pups]

nice tank, can you share your intensity and duration? also did getting UV led's make a difference? I have a similar 165w blackbox since I started the hobby 1 1/2 yrs ago and though I am growing sps slowly, im not sure if im getting the most out of lighting settings. currently at 70% blue 25% white for about 10hrs. I came to these settings after watching the BRS video, but im leaning towards 2:1 blue to white intensity, so about 35% white, cause ive been reading white or full spectrum will give your corals the best natural colour, as they are found in the shallow reefs. I am previously coming from a 4:1 setting, (80% blue, 20% white)

has anyone bleached sps with these blackboxes yet? im afraid to go too high too.

I'm running 60% blues and 20% whites around 9 hours total. 7 hours white.

My fixtures are 12" above waterline.

The addition of UV bulbs, can't say if it's helped or not.

Yes you can fry corals to death with these boxes. Using a Par meter is advisable when setting them up.

 

[Uncle99]

I think your lighting % are fine.
Easy to fry SPS, at 8” above the surface, I see 750ish PAR, at 100% intensity, directly under the light.
SPS all don’t react the same way, killed only two of a dozen until A friend measured my PAR.
Moved to 14” above surface, toned it down to 50% for 3 months, ramped up 5% a month, now holding at 80% blue, 10% white.
The only complaint I have with this light is the timer, doesn’t keep time well, fast 2 minutes per month.
Keep in mind that corals can adjust themselves to intensities over time, set and forget.

Too funny.

 

[Dilan Patel]

I use 6 sb reef lights under my 180 gallon reef. I just got some radions for the frag tank so I will be comparing color and growth.

 

[GSnake]

that's good news, Im In the same ballpark then. 11 inch high..

how much par would a glass cover top reflect … ive adjusted my %'s slightly higher than it would have been for this.

with salt creep and all, I was thinking about getting rid of this for stability.
i adjusted for 10% higher based on what others exxperiences

 

[Uncle99]

I have no tests on the effect of glass covers, however the change you suggest seems reasonable.
I have always left my top open.
The secret is to set......and forget.......it’s the change they hate most.

 

[pscheel2]

I think your lighting % are fine.
Easy to fry SPS, at 8” above the surface, I see 750ish PAR, at 100% intensity, directly under the light.
SPS all don’t react the same way, killed only two of a dozen until A friend measured my PAR.
Moved to 14” above surface, toned it down to 50% for 3 months, ramped up 5% a month, now holding at 80% blue, 10% white.
The only complaint I have with this light is the timer, doesn’t keep time well, fast 2 minutes per month.
Keep in mind that corals can adjust themselves to intensities over time, set and forget.

Too funny.

Same here it keeps terrible time. I just put them on an external timer.

 

[TylerJaid]

None
Happy with their performance.
Simple in form, just two channels, hard to go wrong..
If you like tons of control, Ramps, moonlights, and special effects, this is not the light for you.
Corals just want light, intense and providing the right spectrum.

I am just getting into reefing and have this same set up, what intensity do you run each channel at?? I'm mainly looking to grow softies and maybe lps down the road

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Just this morning I was watching a BRS video about this black box lights, very complete review. Look for it, I dont have the link on hand...sorry

They chose the viparspectra as the better light if I remember correctly

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I am just getting into reefing and have this same set up, what intensity do you run each channel at?? I'm mainly looking to grow softies and maybe lps down the road

I ran mine 60 blue 20 white

 

[VintageReefer]

@billyocean runs viparspectra
And has a insane sps tank

 

[Uncle99]

I am just getting into reefing and have this same set up, what intensity do you run each channel at?? I'm mainly looking to grow softies and maybe lps down the road

70% blue for 12 hours, 10am to 10pm.
10% white for 7 hours, 12pm to 7pm.

 

[TylerJaid]

I ran mine 60 blue 20 white

Did you run both channels at same time? Or turn blues on and off an hour or two ealier and later??

 

[TylerJaid]

70% blue for 12 hours, 10am to 10pm.
10% white for 7 hours, 12pm to 7pm.

Thanks for the response maybe I will try something this!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Did you run both channels at same time? Or turn blues on and off an hour or two ealier and later??

Run blue in the morning, both during the day and blue in the evening. @Uncle99 gives you a good way to run them

 

[TylerJaid]

Run blue in the morning, both during the day and blue in the evening. @Uncle99 gives you a good way to run them

Thanks for the help everyone

 

[jaredT]

I have run black boxes for about 4 months on a setup. Decent colors, growth; corals seemed happy. A lot of algae growth, IMO.

Switched to a Radion 5 weeks ago. Way better colors. Way less algae growth. I have more growth in 5 weeks at 35% intensity with the Radion than 4 months of the black boxes...

You get what you pay for. Black boxes will grow corals if you are on a budget.

I know it’s a long time do you still have those lights by any chance and able to ship them out to nc?