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09/14/2018, 11:35 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ireland
Posts: 83
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Cheap lights
Hi everyone,
Long story short, I'm thinking of getting back in the game after over 5 years with no fish. I have no interest in spending the kind of money I did before so I'm thinking how to make things simple and more importantly, cheap! I just want a FOWLR this time and I'd like to get some ideas on how to get "pretty lights" similar to a mix of daylight and actinic together. I'm thinking 2 white fluorescents with one covered by blue gel. Anyone have any nice ideas? Thanks! |
09/14/2018, 01:23 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
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You can get super cheap led fixtures/strips on Ebay,etc...
What size tank?
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09/14/2018, 01:44 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ireland
Posts: 83
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On my last tank I had 2 t5s, can't remember exactly but 1 daylight and 1 actinic. Then I added some cheap leds from ebay but the blue from the actinic was so much better looking.
I'm still "shopping" for a tank, but max 150L |
09/14/2018, 04:43 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: albuquerque, NM
Posts: 415
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I have had some luck diy'ing a light system from https://www.ledsupply.com/. Specifically I have been using the Cree XLamp XP-E2 LED's and LDD-H Series Mean Well drivers. If you are handy with electronics its a great way to go, I have been building my lights for about a year now and just add on as I have a little extra cash. Not sure if it saved me money overall, BUT I get to spread it out over time.
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129 Reef, Custom Cree LED Lighting, 2x54w T5HO, Bubble Magus BM-Curve 7, 55Gal sump - fuge, Iwaki MD40RLXT, Vortech MP40, multiple Hydor's - born 5/1/16 Current Tank Info: 2.5yr old, 129 Mixed Reef |
09/14/2018, 11:19 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ireland
Posts: 83
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Thanks, good to know. Cool website too!
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09/16/2018, 07:41 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 371
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eBay, or buying from someone secondhand would be my suggestion.
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09/16/2018, 08:44 AM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 75
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Not super cheap but I have the vipar spectra LED's over my tank and couldn't be happier. I bought mine off Amazon and come with a 3 year warranty.
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09/16/2018, 08:50 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ireland
Posts: 83
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I think second hand will be the way to go!
If someone regularly changes their lights to keep their reef in tiptop condition they might be interested in selling the old ones. Last edited by Darsh85; 09/16/2018 at 08:51 AM. Reason: Typo ;) |
09/16/2018, 01:32 PM | #9 | |
Crab Free Zone
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,906
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Quote:
VISPARSPECTRA 165w amazon delivered! Last edited by Uncle99; 09/16/2018 at 01:37 PM. |
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