syrupeverything
04/02/2016, 03:26 PM
Hi all,
I've seen a few threads about people using the Reefbar, but most of these refer only to the regular Reefbar (which I gather would not be sufficient for coral on their own), or Reefbar Pro actinic's as supplemental lighting. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with corals while using the Pro models as primary lighting for their tanks?
I was thinking about getting 2 of the 48" 50/50 (12000K white/royal blue):
https://www.21ledusa.com/aquarium_led_reefbar_pro_48_5050_p/rbp505048.htm
The website makes the following claim:
"Two of these bars can very easily become your Primary Lighting for a larger tank. A common goal for ideal lighting in a reef tank is about 90-120 (mms) at the top of your sand and two bars will give 120 at 24 inches."
Can anyone here verify or dispute that claim? My tank is 48"L, 18"W, 24"D. FOWLR right now but I would be looking at adding a few corals in the future. Would two of these lights be sufficient to grow corals as the only lighting? Would a different combination be better, such as getting one 50/50 and one full spectrum? If not, can anyone recommend a more suitable light or light combo for under $300 USD? (I'm in Canada so I need to leave room in my budget for exchange rate and shipping) Or should I just forget about corals altogether until I can afford some higher end lighting?
I'm also interested in your experience with quality/craftsmanship and customer service with this model or company in general.
Keep in mind I'm actually in Canada, so 2 of these lights with exchange rate and shipping is actually going to cost me closer to $400 if not a little more. I do have an amazon.ca prime account, and some of the Chinese lights qualify for prime. Would I be better off getting a couple of those? These are a couple of the ones I've been looking at:
https://www.amazon.ca/Roleadro-55x3w-Dimmable-Spectrum-Aquarium/dp/B00INM0J1M
https://www.amazon.ca/Marshydro-Dimmable-Aquarium-Light-Spectrum/dp/B011MQNJU8
For reference I currently have a Wavepoint 48" T5 HO, but yesterday both ballasts bit the dust and burned out all 4 bulbs in the process (the bulbs all literally cracked and have tiny holes with scorch marks at one end). To replace both ballasts and get four new decent bulbs is going to cost close to $300 anyway, so I'm strongly considering changing it up rather than replace everything, but it is an option. I have been considering moving to LED's for awhile now, because I'm sick of not having a moonlight feature and I'm sick of replacing bulbs all the time. How would the light output of 2 Reefbar Pro's compare to the Wavepoint?
Sorry for the long post, any advice is much appreciated!!
I've seen a few threads about people using the Reefbar, but most of these refer only to the regular Reefbar (which I gather would not be sufficient for coral on their own), or Reefbar Pro actinic's as supplemental lighting. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with corals while using the Pro models as primary lighting for their tanks?
I was thinking about getting 2 of the 48" 50/50 (12000K white/royal blue):
https://www.21ledusa.com/aquarium_led_reefbar_pro_48_5050_p/rbp505048.htm
The website makes the following claim:
"Two of these bars can very easily become your Primary Lighting for a larger tank. A common goal for ideal lighting in a reef tank is about 90-120 (mms) at the top of your sand and two bars will give 120 at 24 inches."
Can anyone here verify or dispute that claim? My tank is 48"L, 18"W, 24"D. FOWLR right now but I would be looking at adding a few corals in the future. Would two of these lights be sufficient to grow corals as the only lighting? Would a different combination be better, such as getting one 50/50 and one full spectrum? If not, can anyone recommend a more suitable light or light combo for under $300 USD? (I'm in Canada so I need to leave room in my budget for exchange rate and shipping) Or should I just forget about corals altogether until I can afford some higher end lighting?
I'm also interested in your experience with quality/craftsmanship and customer service with this model or company in general.
Keep in mind I'm actually in Canada, so 2 of these lights with exchange rate and shipping is actually going to cost me closer to $400 if not a little more. I do have an amazon.ca prime account, and some of the Chinese lights qualify for prime. Would I be better off getting a couple of those? These are a couple of the ones I've been looking at:
https://www.amazon.ca/Roleadro-55x3w-Dimmable-Spectrum-Aquarium/dp/B00INM0J1M
https://www.amazon.ca/Marshydro-Dimmable-Aquarium-Light-Spectrum/dp/B011MQNJU8
For reference I currently have a Wavepoint 48" T5 HO, but yesterday both ballasts bit the dust and burned out all 4 bulbs in the process (the bulbs all literally cracked and have tiny holes with scorch marks at one end). To replace both ballasts and get four new decent bulbs is going to cost close to $300 anyway, so I'm strongly considering changing it up rather than replace everything, but it is an option. I have been considering moving to LED's for awhile now, because I'm sick of not having a moonlight feature and I'm sick of replacing bulbs all the time. How would the light output of 2 Reefbar Pro's compare to the Wavepoint?
Sorry for the long post, any advice is much appreciated!!