LED light recommendations for a 30 gallon mixed reef

Elle22 · Jul 31, 2017

Hi! I recently posted a thread similar to this one, asking about which powerheads I should use for my aquarium as my current one is not adequate. I am shifting right now from an LPS mainly reef to a mixed reef with some SPS (acros and montis). I have little SPS right now because I am trying to figure out my tank before I put expensive coral in a tank that is undergoing constant changes.

I currently have a JBJ 30 gallon rimless tank with these dimensions: 23.6" x 19.7" x 16.5" (60 cm x 50 cm x 42cm ). I have the JBJ orion lt-120 light right now, and it has been doing the job well until right now. Just need an upgraded light I think, that will care for demanding SPS and advance their color.

Aqua Mars has so far been recommended to me, as I am not looking to spend an extreme amount on a light. Hopefully around the $250ish range. Does anyone have other recommendations? Thank you in advance!

SDReefer · Jul 31, 2017

I think that the Chinese Black Box LEDs are the best deal if you're not looking to spend a lot of money on a more expensive light. I have a Chinese Black Box and I love it since it does all that I need it to do. However, I'm pretty sure that most people that own the more expensive lights don't regret their purchase.

Winschuc · Jul 31, 2017

SB reef LED's are a great value at a great price. Just moves all my coral from a 400w MH to a tank with SB lights. The corals are changing to colors I've never seen on them before after only about a month.

Elle22 · Jul 31, 2017

SDReefer said:
I think that the Chinese Black Box LEDs are the best deal if you're not looking to spend a lot of money on a more expensive light. I have a Chinese Black Box and I love it since it does all that I need it to do. However, I'm pretty sure that most people that own the more expensive lights don't regret their purchase.

Winschuc said:
SB reef LED's are a great value at a great price. Just moves all my coral from a 400w MH to a tank with SB lights. The corals are changing to colors I've never seen on them before after only about a month.

Can I ask both of you guys the size of your tanks, what corals you keep in them, and what models of these lights you recommend? Thanks for the input!

Winschuc · Jul 31, 2017

I've got a 300 (96x30x24) currently running 2 32" and 1 16" Wi-Fi. I keep sps/Lps. To be honest, I would recommend the wifi units, but they come with a bit of a challenge - cannot run off the apex, have limited set points (for android) and are slightly off in timing on dimming (unless you run a router for multiple units).

For color, ease of use and coverage, even though I've only been running them for a brief amount of time, I'll stick with these. Maybe add a few t5 in the future for more full coverage.

Here's a photo for proof of use. Sorry for the cloudiness, re-doing my scape.