Best lights?

[Beau_123]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B005INXMOA/ref=aw_d_cr_lawn-garden?qid=1339483049&sr=8-17 will these lights work and do I need more than one.

 

[ccCapt]

You need 2. They are basically the same as the ones I posted the link to earlier in this thread, except these aren't dimmable and they cost more.

 

[Beau_123]

I am all for DIY (I DIY'ed my entire setup except for my current LED lights), but almost every DIY LED lighting system I saw looks like a frankenstein project with wires and drivers hanging out all over the place. If you don't mind that type of look, go for it.

If you want a more "finished" look, I highly recommend buying an LED system, but you will be hard pressed to find anything for less than $300 for a 4' tank.

These are very popular, but use only blue and white LED's. I use similar lights over my 125 and can grow and keep anything. 2 units will run you right around $300.
2 Dimmable 120W Marine Organism Aquarium Coral Reef Fish Tank LED Lamp White US | eBay

The next step up is a more full spectrum LED setup. These look real nice and they are what I would get now and would have bought when I got my LED's...but they were not available back then. They will run you a little over $400 for 2 units.
120W LED Full Spectrum Coral Reef Light 55 x 3W Bridgelux LED Brand New | eBay

This one.

 

[Beau_123]

So the first one will work for any coral and you are 100% sure of that.

 

[ccCapt]

Did you see the pics I posted of my lights and my tank? If so, judge for yourself.
Just remember, being able to successfully keep and GROW corals is more than just having the proper lighting.

 

[Beau_123]

I was just wondering because you said you have something like it not exact.

 

[ccCapt]

The only difference I can see between my lights are the ones on Ebay are mine are not dimmable. That feature was not available when I got mine. They appear to use the same diodes (Bridgelux 3w driven at 2w) and the same amount of whites and blues.

 

[Beau_123]

Oh ok thanks I really appreciate it so do u have nems in your tank couldn't tell from pic.

 

[ccCapt]

Really? Do you know what an anemone looks like?

 

[Beau_123]

Ok now I see it I must a have been blind the first time lol.

 

[edwardclaxton]

Wheres it at u still dont see it. Possibly to the far right if so it is hard to see.

 

[MrVu]

CcCapt.

How long did it take for your corals to adjust? I have the dimmable model and my SPS and LPS seem to hate the actinics if I turn them up. The softies have no I'll affect. I never had this many issues with MH or T5s.

 

[ccCapt]

Before I switched to LED's I used 3 x 175w, Iwasaki 15K metal halides, one of the highest PAR output MH bulbs available. My corals had no adjusting to do.

 

[Beau_123]

How should I do it

 

[MrVu]

I have corals which came from T5 systems. I am running the lights at very low just to keep them happy.

 

[Beau_123]

I have a marinele and double bright how should I do it.

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Marineland double bright fixtures are super low powered so your issue will be in having enough light. They can probably grow very low light stuff like zoas, palys and mushrooms.

 

[Beau_123]

I meant how would I acclimate them to the light when I change them.

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Oh! I'd put the lights very low at first, like 10%. Wait a week and bump it to 15%, wait another week or two and keep going until it's right for your corals. Many people don't run them over 40% on smaller tanks or 60% even on large tanks. Only tall tanks with mostly SPSs will usually need them set very high.

 

[Beau_123]

Would this light work for any coral I wanted to keep. http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=250966759157&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=98693807734