Getting new lights soon-need advice

jburgi

jburgi

Member
So I have been trying to figure out what lights I should get for my tank. I have been talking to the guy at my LFS trying to see what he could get me. Anyway, the other day he was telling me about how he was going to be getting in some XHO reefbrite LED lights and was wondering if I wanted to have him order in some my size. I have been trying to find out more about these lights, but haven't been able to find much on them. I have a 47 tall...so I need lighting that will penetrate deep enough. The ones that would fit my tank would be 15".
Anyone know anything about these lights? He said they would cost me about $250...good deal or keep looking.
THANKS EVERYONE!
Jessica
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
all depend what you want in the tank.do you plan corals? i have always had metal halides .if its fish only you can get anything.$250 seems a bit steep to me for led.you cant beat internet prices for lights
 
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e-roc

Guest
You dont know what you just started by saying that
Take this with a gain of salt as i have never had MH lighting
My local fish store has two display tanks side by side
One has MH and the other high end LEDs both are reef tanks
I personally have never (I have looked at tons of tanks) seen a tank look better than with
a set of nice LEDs on them That tank pops like few i have seen before
Myself my new Rapid LED fixture is in the mail
The thing with LEDs though you have to watch. Some are made very crappy and they will end up
doing more harm than help. Also some are just made to complement what you are already running.
so you have to watch when you buy them. 250 bucks is cheap for LEDs. Im spending close to 350 and
thats just part i have to put them all together. I was looking at the ones you want to get and cant find
to many reviews about them. I would wait and try to do more research on them 1st.
 
jburgi

jburgi

Member
That is the problem I am having. Now reviews. I may be getting a good deal on them because I am good friends with the store owner, and help him out all the time...but like I said, I know nothing on these lights...what they are worth, if they are worth it. Any and all advice is very appreciated!
Either way, I don't plan on having him order anything until mid april or so. That is when I am planning on having the extra money to get them. So I am definitely planning on doing research well before I buy.
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
I recommend LEDs
But only if
The LEDs colors are fully dimmable / controllable
All the light output by all the LED colors combined cover the full PAR spectrum corals use
Bulbs are spread out so to cover your tank needs
3 watt LEDs need to be raised 8-12 inches above the tank and still may bleach corals if at full power
1 watt LEDs can work, if you have enough bulbs
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i have never had led's except moon lights which i never use.i think it was meowser that has posted she has them and likes them.i like the shimmer of light the mh's make.but i have a big tank so heat isnt an issue .it might be on a 40 gallon with a mh system.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by deejeff442 http:///t/390976/getting-new-lights-soon-need-advice#post_3465200
i have never had led's except moon lights which i never use.i think it was meowser that has posted she has them and likes them.i like the shimmer of light the mh's make.but i have a big tank so heat isnt an issue .it might be on a 40 gallon with a mh system.
Even with a big tank heat from lighting can be an issue.......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/390976/getting-new-lights-soon-need-advice#post_3465201
Honestly for a tank that deep, I would still go with halides.
Agree that deep Halides would definitely be the way to go......
 
jburgi

jburgi

Member
deep halides...okay....can anyone suggest a reasonably priced brand. preferably under $300...$250 or less would be better...even if it limits me from sps.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member

This is on sale this week for 249.95. It is the Cayman Sun 150 watt HQI. It comes with moonlights and your choice of XM bulb. You could add actinics down the road to supplement and get the dusk/dawn effect.
 
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e-roc

Guest
If i were you and im not i would looks for used HM lighting
There is a lot of them out there and you can get a heck of a deal
I just bought a fixture for my 120 for 100 bucks
two 400w bulbs, fixture, everything else I needed to run them for 100 bucks
If you buy used the one thing please make sure it all works
and get new bulbs dont trust the well there only 2 months old
cause there not
 
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patti w

Guest
just be carefull of odyssea. last yr i bot a 4 lite t5 ho. it was fine, no problem. of course , seeing you are to replace bulbs at least once a year, i opted to get another 4 lite unit for $100 cus if i just bought the bulbs, it would be close to the same. this second unit, only two of the sockets work. i need to try and take apart and figure it out. where i bought it from said to 'jiggle the sockets'. sheeesh. so that brand is 50/50 to me.
 
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