1000 or less for and LED for a 48" - 18" -24" 110g

[SnowflakeE]

Basically, I have a 1000 dollars to spend on a light (preferably LED, I have hear MH can really raise tank temp and I don't have the money or room for a cooler)
I am looking to start up a mixed reef starting with mostly LPS and softies and maybe after enough experience under my belt I would get some SPS (big fan of monti's). This is my first time I am going to be growing corals. I do have about 3 years of experience with a 110g FOWLR. Thanks.

[E Rosewater]

If you wanted to do some DIY work you could come in well under 1000 with a DIY kit.

[reindan]

I have 72 gl thats 48". Being on a budget i got some great lights from these guys, and they were happy to talk to me before i ordered to make sure i got the right size. Reefbreeders.com

[Ron Reefman]

Look at the Chinese led thread in the equipment section. You can get a great IT2080 from EverGrow in China or the same light from Reef Breeders (in the sponser list) for about $500 delivered. I got 2 in a big group buy (24 lights) direct from EG (EverGrow) for $340 delivered. All 24 lights were custom led layouts (full spectrum) made in less than 5 days and shipped UPS Air (5 day delivery to Florida). Mine are over a 180g DT and 2 friends have them over 220g DT and we all grow sps and lps corals. And the controller is great. Unlike the EcoTech Radion which requires a computer hook up to adjust, costs 50% more and covers 50% less square footage in the tank. The IT2080 is 32" long and has 4 rows of 24 3w leds and 3 moonlights.

[MisterX]

Last February I was in the same boat. After a lot of research I ended up going with Apollo Reef Leds. I bought two of their Solarblast Dimmable fixtures to go over my 120G 4x2x2.

I had no issues with softies, LPS, a rose nem, and a clam. I had a couple SPS that did ok, but I think it was more of a parameter consistency issue rather than light related.

If you don't have a controller like an Apex or RKL Apollo sells a dimmer module/controller, or you can DIY your own.

I ran mine on an Apex Jr. Loved the flexibility of controlling the whites and blues separately (3x power cords and 3x switches for whites/blues/moonlights).

Joe at Apollo is always very helpful as well.

[SnowflakeE]

Thanks so much I looked at reefbreeders and $329 is a sweet price for a 24" fixture as far as I know.

[Bdial]

If your handy go DIY. If not AIs are pretty affordable and offer good results.

[benjc]

A single 32" Reefbreeders would likely give you all the coverage you need/ I have one over my 4x2x2 tank.

[Ron Reefman]

If your handy go DIY. If not AIs are pretty affordable and offer good results.

At the price, quality and options offered by EverGrow and Reef Breeders, why would you want to spend your time and money to make something? I've never seen a diy as good as these and the IT series controller is great.

[Dapg8gt]

Reefbreeders all the way. Best bang for your buck and competes with par readings of most top tier fixtures for a fraction of the cost. With the savings get some Ecotech or tunze flow in that thing and call it a day.