Led lights

kbaker721 · 08/13/2018, 02:53 PM

Hello. Any recommendations for an led light? FOWLR. 30 high 48 length. 150 gallon.
I have metal halide and it’s just too much light and heat for what I need. Hoping for a nice led system that will give nice light. Thanks.

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nereefpat · 08/13/2018, 03:12 PM

I would recommend two of the "black box" type LED lights, like Marsaqua or similar.

lpsouth1978 · 08/13/2018, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

I would recommend two of the "black box" type LED lights, like Marsaqua or similar.

These are ok and will certainly work. There are a number of drawbacks to them however. I was recently using one and it was ok, but I don't think I will use them again. For me the lack of control was a problem. I could only control the blues (up or down) and everything else (whites, reds, greens, and some blues) I did not like that I had to increase the intensity of the red and green if I turned up the whites. These also create a good amount of "disco ball effect.

Depending on your budget, I would look into the AI HD series, Ecotech Radions, Maxspec, etc. They all have great lights, but the prices will definitely be higher. If you do get the "black box" type, llok at the Viparspectra. I think they have the best mix of spectrums of the cheaper lights.

lpsouth1978 · 08/13/2018, 03:36 PM

Sorry, I skipped the FOWLR part. Literally ANY light that is pleasing to your eye will work for a FOWLR. Look for cheap LED's on amazon.

mcgyvr · 08/14/2018, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpsouth1978

Sorry, I skipped the FOWLR part. Literally ANY light that is pleasing to your eye will work for a FOWLR. Look for cheap LED's on amazon.

Thats better..

Yes just pick up a sub $50 LED strip on Amazon and call it a day..
Fish don't need light at all.. Just enough for you to enjoy the tank..

MH/high dollar LED is just overkill...

Now if you plan on upgrading to corals,etc... in the future then thats a different story..

nereefpat · 08/14/2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Now if you plan on upgrading to corals,etc... in the future then thats a different story..

That's why I would steer folks toward black box LEDs. Still cheap, but can be turned up and adjusted for any future projects.

Thornbreaker · 08/15/2018, 07:14 AM

Some of the black box LEDs have timer controls. Mine don't, but I bought a wifi power strip that lets me turn on/off on set times. Less than 30 bucks on Amazon.

Most of the black boxes at least have intensity controls for blue and white, even if you can't individually select colors. For a 48" tank you'd probably just need 2.

I went ahead and got them, as I figured I'd want to add a few corals down the road.

08/13/2018, 02:53 PM	#1
kbaker721 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 384	Led lights Hello. Any recommendations for an led light? FOWLR. 30 high 48 length. 150 gallon. I have metal halide and it’s just too much light and heat for what I need. Hoping for a nice led system that will give nice light. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08/13/2018, 03:12 PM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I would recommend two of the "black box" type LED lights, like Marsaqua or similar. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

08/13/2018, 03:36 PM	#4
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	Sorry, I skipped the FOWLR part. Literally ANY light that is pleasing to your eye will work for a FOWLR. Look for cheap LED's on amazon. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

08/15/2018, 07:14 AM	#7
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	Some of the black box LEDs have timer controls. Mine don't, but I bought a wifi power strip that lets me turn on/off on set times. Less than 30 bucks on Amazon. Most of the black boxes at least have intensity controls for blue and white, even if you can't individually select colors. For a 48" tank you'd probably just need 2. I went ahead and got them, as I figured I'd want to add a few corals down the road.