Light experts question for you

[eliramos]

Will this light be sufficient for a 2 ft deep tank

http://66.135.209.70/itm/ELF-1800-L...lid-180cm-280x-0-50W-/291487426241?nav=SEARCH

 

[Triggreef]

No

 

[PaulKreider]

Negative

 

[BryanS4]

No way.

 

[Broadfield]

We're going to need a lot more info than that... we don't even know what you are trying to do with it!?! If you are wanting to grow coral, then NO. For just fish, sure. You can't expect much out of a 6ft fixture that's only $130. I also would never buy a fixture that doesn't have PAR ratings. Would you buy an amplifier that doesn't have a wattage rating?

 

[Triggreef]

This will be very dim. Might grow macro algae but it won't even be too good at that. Forget it for corals ever. Even one of the cheap chinese fixtures will do 10 times better than this. Check out reefbreeders or anything similar if you want a decent light. There are a couple I got from ebay just to try, dolphin reef something or other and they come with a controller. They are decent I'll be writing a review on them with par readings in a month or so.

 

[Triggreef]

I have a few of these they put out decent par and spectrum at 100% blue channel and about 50% white channel. http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-LED-Aq...PS-LPS-Tank-/171608813631?hash=item27f4aeb03f

And these are the dolphin ones I was referring to. I like these too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321846082701?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Dtackett]

.50w is .5 watts per led. youre looking for 3watts per led with a mix of different lenses (such as 90 and 120 degree lenses)

 

[Synodontis]

One way to help decide if an E-bay light is any good, ask the seller what brand LED's are used, then ask for the bin number details. If they can't tell you what bin number the LED's are then I wouldn't bother with them. If you do get the bin number, say they are Cree, check that against the Cree bin chart. That will give you the specs on the LED output.
You can get a cool white 3w Cree off any " Chinese bulk buy" website for $0.75, or a cool white 3w Cree off any of the known DIY sites for $5.00. The difference is what bin number they come from. I wouldn't even bother with a $0.50 LED.

 

[eliramos]

Thank you all so much for your input.
I wasn't 100% sure what the answer, but was I could tell from the fixture it wouldn't be strong enough but my friend who already had this light was swearing by it. So I needed more experienced advice! I really appreciate the websites you guys referred I'll be sure to share them.
The Chinese LEDs may be the way to go cost effective wise for sure!

 

[Dtackett]

I have a few of these they put out decent par and spectrum at 100% blue channel and about 50% white channel. http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-LED-Aq...PS-LPS-Tank-/171608813631?hash=item27f4aeb03f

And these are the dolphin ones I was referring to. I like these too. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321846082701?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

those mars aqua are the ones I use.

 

[eliramos]

those mars aqua are the ones I use.

Do you have a pic of your tank with the mars lighting I was looking at them actually and j may be interested myself
How are they working for you!

 

[Triggreef]

They are just as good as reefbreeders imo, no difference in par and almost exactly the same spectrums.

 

[Dtackett]

only pic ive got on me is from when I first set this tank up. ive been using this same ficture for 2 years, ive used it on both freshwater and saltwater. itll literally grow anything. right now my duncans are exploding under them. 2 heads on august 15th, now ive got 2 full heads and about 9 heads at about half size and its already poping more out for a total of about 21 heads of various sizes. granted duncans are fast growers anyway, but my tank is not a good example. look up SB reef lights. he started the whole Chinese blackbox following and has grown everything under it.