Lighting for reef tank

[Aquarium advice master]

What lighting is good for LPS and maybe SPS corals in the rage of $100-250 for a 48" light fixture?

 

[Tkey3425]

LEDs off eBay are good for starting out. Less power and no bulb changes every 9 months. Just search 120watt dim able led aquarium fixture. There is a seller supermart168 that sells them for around $120 each. You'll need two. These are the "taotronics" everyone talks about.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

What about T5 corallife fixture is that good?

 

[Tkey3425]

Yes just remember they produce heat and you will have to change the bulbs at least every year. LEDs will last 50,000 hours before burning out. There are people who swear by each and hate the other I can tell you I've had t5s, power compacts and metal halide but just still love my LEDs. I just ordered a $900 Atlantik fixture for my 55.

 

[Macscale]

LED would IMO be better. The prices for the panels have dropped a lot recently. You can now get two full spectrum Dimmable panels for around $185... And single panels for <$100.

To grow SPS with a T5, 4 bulb would be low light, but 6 would be optimum. With bulb replacing, now T5 isn't always worth it anymore.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

Is Aquatic Life LED Aquarium Light Fixture or Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light, 48 to 60-Inch good? I don't want to hang the light.

 

[Macscale]

Is Aquatic Life LED Aquarium Light Fixture or Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light, 48 to 60-Inch good? I don't want to hang the light.

What size tank is it?
I don't know about the aquatic lifes, I'll have too look them up.
However, the orbits will do LPS and softies on shallow tanks, SPS is questionable.

 

[Tkey3425]

The main specs you're looking for is they should use quality LEDs like Cree or bridgelux. Quality drivers. And I like 3 watt LEDs. A ton of 1 watt leds won't penetrate like the 3 watt LEDs will. Also lens angle if they have them.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

I only have a 55 gallon tank wont that fry the corals? I herd that you need a watt of led per gallon of tank.

 

[Tkey3425]

No I ran two of them on my 55. You get the dimmables so that your lights will handle whatever you get into. I ran 4 on my 210 before I took it down. One way per gallon is awful low for a reef tank. LPS and SPS will demand much more light than that.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

Will the current USA marine orbits marine LEDs work?

 

[Macscale]

No not for SPS. You don't have to hang the Tao panels either. Take a piece of conduit and bend it. Easy as that.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

R these good TaoTronics Led Aquarium Light Led Reef Light for Coral Fish Seaweed their a $100
Each on amazon? do they have a night time mode. And is Ecoxotic Panorama Marine LED Light Fixture good?

 

[Aquarium advice master]

Are these good http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-2014-Ful...%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D171353674478&rt=nc

They are 165 watt leds

 

[Macscale]

Are these good http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-2014-Ful...%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D171353674478&rt=nc

They are 165 watt leds

Yeah those are the Tao panels from eBay. Will support anything you want.

 

[Aquarium advice master]

Ok thanks a lot for your help. I will probably get them.

 

[Macscale]

It's a good choice. There are many very successful tanks with them. I will be watching to see how you progress, have fun!