How are blackbox's budget?

[actik]

i was just wondering what makes blackbox's a solid budget option, when i check on amazon the Viparspectra 165W LED black box is 159$ while the Kessil A80 is 174$ ??

 

[dantimdad]

The kessil a80 is 15 watts.

 

[Hemmdog]

i was just wondering what makes blackbox's a solid budget option, when i check on amazon the Viparspectra 165W LED black box is 159$ while the Kessil A80 is 174$ ??

It’s also not budget because count on buying a new one every year.

 

[actik]

i'm sorry i dont understand. Do you just mean its more cost efficient over time ? because when i was thinking budget light i was thinking retail price.

 

[dantimdad]

Uhm, you won't have to buy a new one every year

 

[Hemmdog]

i'm sorry i dont understand. Do you just mean its more cost efficient over time ? because when i was thinking budget light i was thinking retail price.

Well if you need it only for one year then yes that makes sense. But when you look at the term budget on a macro level don’t you have to account for accumulated depreciation and have to factor in the cost and frequency of replacing the light ?

 

[Hemmdog]

Uhm, you won't have to buy a new one every year

Par meter a used blackbox light vs a new one. They degrade quicker because of underpowered heat sinks

 

[dantimdad]

So @Hemmdog how many have you replaced in the last 10 years you have been reefing? I thought so.

 

[zcedric]

I have good grow and i can only say good things from black boxes. Never had problems with any so far...
I don't know which one I am using atm.. I'm not home atm.. sorry. Mine were cheaper.. I believe around 120..

 

[actik]

American money > my canadian money lol.

 

[Hemmdog]

So @Hemmdog how many have you replaced in the last 10 years you have been reefing? I thought so.

Well my 3rd one in a year just broke yesterday. Not just replying trying to help you out and save you money for my own health

 

[Softhammer]

Go for it. I wouldn’t worry about depreciation either, it’s a light fixture not an office building. If you are satisfied with the reviews get it. LEDs are unbelievably reliable, and most expensive ones fail just as much as the cheap ones.

 

[actik]

thanks everyone for your feedback, i was completely clueless here lol.

 

[Hemmdog]

thanks everyone for your feedback, i was completely clueless here lol.

If you find one you like let me know. I need a new light now lol.

 

[actik]

lol np man.

 

[cracker]

I have 6 old very plain black boxes. The have worked flawlessly for years. Fans aren't noisy, all the lights are working etc. Sorry for your bad luck with them.
If your on a budget I think they are a fine investment ( not the fancy ones that will text You when Your Lady wants you to call ) ! LOL

 

[dantimdad]

@Hemmdog check this out:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...=a2g1y.12024536.productList_2152218.subject_1

They use better fans than others I have had and much more quiet.

Go to my build thread and do the mods I did.

Believe me, there are very positive experiences with black boxes. I am sure there are bad but as stated above, major brands have failures. I won't name a big one that if you search fails right after the two year warranty. I have three of them that were given to me gutted and put LED experiments in them.

 

[actik]

I have 6 old very plain black boxes. The have worked flawlessly for years. Fans aren't noisy, all the lights are working etc. Sorry for your bad luck with them.
If your on a budget I think they are a fine investment ( not the fancy ones that will text You when Your Lady wants you to call ) ! LOL

if i got one of those id never get to enjoy my tank, too many calls haha

 

[Hemmdog]

@Hemmdog check this out:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...=a2g1y.12024536.productList_2152218.subject_1

They use better fans than others I have had and much more quiet.

Go to my build thread and do the mods I did.

Believe me, there are very positive experiences with black boxes. I am sure there are bad but as stated above, major brands have failures. I won't name a big one that if you search fails right after the two year warranty. I have three of them that were given to me gutted and put LED experiments in them.

Oh man your mods are awesome! That’s next level ! That cooling seems really good to actually. Well I stand corrected, diamonds in the rough.

 

[dantimdad]

And I apologize for being abrupt.

I should have been more accommodating and asked if I could help.