2 viparspectra black box over a 90 or 1 48 in reefbreeder. Will supplement both with 2 t5 bulbs??
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I’ve been leaning towards to RB photons.. because I’ve heard of the black boxes having poor quality control and some die soon after acquiring and others having them for years..IMHO, you are considering 2 of the very best fixtures (although for different reasons). Either brand of fixture will do the job perfectly. They are both strong with PAR and good spectrum.
The issue isn't which is better for your tank. They are both very good at growing healthy corals. The issue is, which is better for your budget and your enjoyment of the tank.
The Viparspectra is a 2 channel (mostly white and mostly blue) fixture. And you can control the overall color of the tank by controlling the intensity of those 2 channels. The RB Photon has 6 color channels, so you can play with the fine tuning of the color. For the most part, your corals really couldn't care, it's about what you like to look at.
The Viparspectra allows you to dim and brighten either channel and you can do a kind of sunrise/sunset by having the blue channel come on and then some time later have the white channel come on. And do the reverse for a kind of sunset. Not that your corals, fish or other inhabitants really care about sunrise/sunset. The RB Photon allows you to ramp up and down each of the 6 channels independently. So not only can your sunrise and sunset be as long as you want, it can be most any color you want. Again, not that those inside your tank really give a rat's behind.
OK, so a 16" Viparspectra runs 55 3watt led from Bridgelux (I think) at 100 watts and costs $150.
The 16" Photon runs 18 3 watt leds and 18 5 watt leds from Cree, OSRAM & SEMI at 115 watts for $375.
That's more than double the price.
The 32" fixtures are just a bit closer in price, $270 vs $590.
But the Photon is far better looking fixture, has a wider array (spread) of leds, better, quieter fans, legs as well as the basic hanging kit, 2 year warranty and a sponsor forum here at R2R where you can talk to other users as well as the owner of the company. And IMHO, Reef Breeders offers excellent customer service if you should ever have need for it.
I use Photons over both my tanks and I use a Viparspectra over my refugium. I like the modern look of the Photon and I do like to play with the colors as well as sunrise & sunset. But then I'm home most days (retired) so I can enjoy watching the changes and the cost wasn't an issue to my budget.
Good luck with your decision.
These are my tanks from about a year ago when they were first being set up.
LPS heavy, but I’d like to be able to grow anything. I don’t like having limitations.SPS tank?
If you can swing the 700 bucks for the 48" ReefBreeders light, it would be *better*.
If not, lots of people use those black boxes. Especially since you are supplementing with T5s, it will be fine either way.
Okay.. as of now the used set up came with 2 48 in current USA IC proslighting can and is a major PITA so many options you can pull your hair out.
here in my 2 cents for what ever there worth...
I have a RS 650P that will be LPS heavy & will run 2X 24" RB photon V2+ I dont think I will need to supplement with any other lighting.
so if I was you i would go with the V2+ they just look better IMHO and form factor matters to me. wait a year or even two let your tank grow out and see if you even need more lighting. if you do I bet there will be some better LED "t5" dtyle light by then. so much can chance in that time.
no need to spend the cash now for something you may or may not even need.
Okay.. as of now the used set up came with 2 48 in current USA IC pros
Well tank is 48” I think the 32” fixture would be obvious short..Just switched from black boxes, marsaqua, to a photon V2+. To me the photons outclass the black boxes in every way except for the price.
I would agree you could probably get by with the 32" fixture. I bought the 32" fixture for a 36" tank. I think the 24" would have been sufficient in my situation.
You're right it would be shorter than the tank. On the same note, neither fixture is going to be as wide as the tank. The light will spread the farther it gets from the fixture. To get the same coverage you would need to hang it higher than the longer fixture.Well tank is 48” I think the 32” fixture would be obvious short..
Well I plan on getting the 48” oneYou're right it would be shorter than the tank. On the same note, neither fixture is going to be as wide as the tank. The light will spread the farther it gets from the fixture. To get the same coverage you would need to hang it higher than the longer fixture.
This is from the reefbreeders website:
32" coverage: FOWLR/Softies: 44" x 24" x 36", Mixed Reef: 42" x 24" x 30", SPS: 38" x 24" x 30"
48" coverage: FOWLR/Softies: 52" x 24" x 36", Mixed Reef: 50" x 24" x 30", SPS: 48" x 24" x 30"