Cheap lights

Darsh85 · 09/14/2018, 11:35 AM

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!

mcgyvr · 09/14/2018, 01:23 PM

You can get super cheap led fixtures/strips on Ebay,etc...

What size tank?

Darsh85 · 09/14/2018, 01:44 PM

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

asfullax · 09/14/2018, 04:43 PM

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.

Darsh85 · 09/14/2018, 11:19 PM

Thanks, good to know. Cool website too!

FortyFour · 09/16/2018, 07:41 AM

eBay, or buying from someone secondhand would be my suggestion.

hearttx · 09/16/2018, 08:44 AM

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.

Darsh85 · 09/16/2018, 08:50 AM

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.

Uncle99 · 09/16/2018, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hearttx

Not super cheap but I have the vipar spectra tonic LED's over my tank and couldn't be happier. I bought mine off Amazon and come with a 3 year warranty.

Yup, great value here!
VISPARSPECTRA 165w amazon delivered!

09/14/2018, 11:35 AM	#1
Darsh85 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ireland Posts: 83	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
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You can get super cheap led fixtures/strips on Ebay,etc... What size tank? __________________ Who me?

09/14/2018, 04:43 PM	#4
asfullax Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: albuquerque, NM Posts: 415	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. __________________ 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

09/16/2018, 08:50 AM	#8
Darsh85 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ireland Posts: 83	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 ;)

09/14/2018, 01:44 PM	#3
Darsh85 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ireland Posts: 83	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, 11:19 PM	#5
Darsh85 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ireland Posts: 83	Thanks, good to know. Cool website too!

09/16/2018, 07:41 AM	#6
FortyFour Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 371	eBay, or buying from someone secondhand would be my suggestion.

09/16/2018, 08:44 AM	#7
hearttx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 75	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.