Low budget lighting

[bingus]

Looking for some low budget lights for my fish tank. The tank is a 55g 48” long and 21” tall. I’m starting to get some softie corals and i want to get some better lights to help them do better and be happier guys:) had the tank for only about a year so I’m pretty new. My budget is about 200 dollars. Thank you:)

 

[Dbichler]

Tough at that price range for corals but I think your best bet would be viparspectra.

 

[bingus]

Tough at that price range for corals but I think your best bet would be viparspectra.

Could you specify which model please

 

[Dbichler]

300 watt

 

[mehaffydr]

I would also look at marsaqua They are on Ebay and Amazon
Also watch the for sale threads on Reef2Reef

 

[Gtinnel]

I run two 300 watt vipatspectra on my 125 mixed reef and so far they've grown everything I've put in there.

 

[Yevoc]

Maybe an owner can chime in but I have seen these suggested a few times.

Nicrew

2 of the 50W pucks would meet the budget and goal.

 

[MSarro27]

Maxspect JUMP LED

 

[Dbichler]

A max jump only will cover 24inches of his 48

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Agree on the mars aqua, sb reef, or vipraspectra black box led. 2 165w lights or 1 300w. The old ones with the dials are in your price range. The newer ones with timers are a little pricier

 

[Sharkattackmack]

Maybe an owner can chime in but I have seen these suggested a few times.

Nicrew

2 of the 50W pucks would meet the budget and goal.

I just recieved the 30w in the mail and wasn't impressed. Had it set up right beside my biocube with stock lighting and decided we would rather just use the fluval Evo light so that we can retain the use of the hood.

Not sure about the 50W, I've heard better reviews on that one vs the 30.

 

[bingus]

thank you everybody for the great advice! I’ve decided to go with 2 vipar spectra 300’s! Any advice for mounting?

 

[Dbichler]

If your doing 2 of the viparspectra you could do the 165 watts or leave the 300s and always good for an upgrade and or just run them on lower %

 

[Gtinnel]

Any advice for mounting?

As with many of the black box leds there isn't anykind of mounting arm so the easiest way to mount it is to hang it, if that's an option for you.

 

[FLReefer101]

Look for some used Radions Facebook marketplace or some fourms. You can also try some oceanrevives I’ve got them on a frag tank and they were on the 180 when I first got it growing softies.

 

[MSarro27]

A max jump only will cover 24inches of his 48

Buy 2

 

[Alchameth]

Look at the Fluval Marine and Reef 3.0 48" Benefit of that one is runs the length of the tank for better light distribution even though it's only 59W. I started with one on my 90G which is deeper than your tank, and had no problems with softies and LPS.

 

[Dbichler]

Buy 2

Hey said his budget is 200 that’s double that

 

[MSarro27]

Hey said his budget is 200 that’s double that

Buy a lottery ticket cross your fingers.

 

[MSarro27]

These are the 2 I’d suggest from a controllability aspect. Both have outstanding reviews and within your 200.00 budget.