affordable chinese light with sunrise/sunset?

ozorowsky · 07/30/2018, 12:25 PM

Hello all,

My reef tank is 36" deep; I don't have the extra cash laying around to spend 3k on lights. I have these 2 lights which look like euphotica 24" LED's and allow me to ramp up/down lighting.

I just purchased 2 150w viparspectra to complement my lighting and these help get rid of shadows from the tank. Looks really vibrant. However just realized these don't have a sunrise/sunset; I am not a fan of the timer click lights on lights off.

Is there a brand you guys have found that will either supplement/replace the 2 lights I already have that has a sunrise/sunset feature and is reliable? I think I want the 3w per LED right?

I mainly want to grow hammers/torches.

saveafish · 07/30/2018, 08:47 PM

Have you looked into a break out box and apex. Maybe cheap strips like reef bright and use the rest as a timer setting. I know you said you hate the on off timer. But if you did a couple strips on a ramp with apex than rest as a click on/off.

saveafish · 07/30/2018, 08:49 PM

To add viarsprecta makes higher wattage LEDs too.

ozorowsky · 07/30/2018, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saveafish

Have you looked into a break out box and apex. Maybe cheap strips like reef bright and use the rest as a timer setting. I know you said you hate the on off timer. But if you did a couple strips on a ramp with apex than rest as a click on/off.

I don't have an Apex currently so that would add to my cost

I am eyeballing these lights. I am reading negative reviews online (googling) but most of those are old and I'm guessing on early models of the light.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What do you think of that setup?

paulmartin · 08/01/2018, 02:55 AM

Hey buddy, I have a set of DsunY led's, fully programmable and for the money they are awesome. There are a few videos on YouTube, well worth checking out.

ozorowsky · 08/01/2018, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulmartin

Hey buddy, I have a set of DsunY led's, fully programmable and for the money they are awesome. There are a few videos on YouTube, well worth checking out.

Thank you. Yes i did find some videos on YouTube. I also researched on reef central and some reviews aren't so great. So always hard to know what the real truth is.

paulmartin · 08/01/2018, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozorowsky

Thank you. Yes i did find some videos on YouTube. I also researched on reef central and some reviews aren't so great. So always hard to know what the real truth is.

I haven't read the reviews here to be honest but i'm surprised they have some negative reviews. I am wondering if they are the older type, mine are the new slimline WiFi ones. I'm fish only myself but I do know people who grow sps with them. I have a buddy who has Radions and he is really surprised how good these are. I would buy them again in a heartbeat.

Sisterlimonpot · 08/01/2018, 10:16 AM

The problem is that everyone is using the Radions as the gold standard, whatever light you choose to accommodate your budget is going to be held to that standard. Ecotech has set the bar and unfortunately the price as well. If you choose a light at a substantial price reduction you're going to have to accept less bells and whistles. Don't be surprised of all the negative reviews.

What makes the radion so great is that you can virtually set each color to a particular intensity. That allows full control and gives you the ability to reduce the colors that encourage nuisance algae growth while increase the colors that promote coral growth. If I were you, I would make that feature my number one priority when choosing a light within your budget.

steallife904 · 08/01/2018, 01:27 PM

reefbreeders photon v2s??? I run them on my tank, they are probably one of if not the best budget friendly lights.

ozorowsky · 08/02/2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steallife904

reefbreeders photon v2s??? I run them on my tank, they are probably one of if not the best budget friendly lights.

Thanks! My tank is 6 ft long, so even the reefbreeder v2's come out to like $1500

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

ozorowsky · 08/02/2018, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

The problem is that everyone is using the Radions as the gold standard, whatever light you choose to accommodate your budget is going to be held to that standard. Ecotech has set the bar and unfortunately the price as well. If you choose a light at a substantial price reduction you're going to have to accept less bells and whistles. Don't be surprised of all the negative reviews.

What makes the radion so great is that you can virtually set each color to a particular intensity. That allows full control and gives you the ability to reduce the colors that encourage nuisance algae growth while increase the colors that promote coral growth. If I were you, I would make that feature my number one priority when choosing a light within your budget.

Thanks! These have 4 channels of adjustments, weather effects, season effects etc. The weather/season are gimmicky but I really like the random cloud effect; gives the tank a little more life.

nikon187 · 08/11/2018, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozorowsky

Thanks! My tank is 6 ft long, so even the reefbreeder v2's come out to like $1500

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

yep thats what they cost.

Jason9488 · 08/11/2018, 05:51 PM

Crazy light prices....i have two $100 LED lights and tank looks great and coral is growing like crazy

Vinny Kreyling · 08/13/2018, 05:11 PM

I have a 6 footer with Photon V-2's & it cost me a lot less!
Running 2 - 32" fixtures.

07/30/2018, 12:25 PM	#1
ozorowsky Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 311	affordable chinese light with sunrise/sunset? Hello all, My reef tank is 36" deep; I don't have the extra cash laying around to spend 3k on lights. I have these 2 lights which look like euphotica 24" LED's and allow me to ramp up/down lighting. I just purchased 2 150w viparspectra to complement my lighting and these help get rid of shadows from the tank. Looks really vibrant. However just realized these don't have a sunrise/sunset; I am not a fan of the timer click lights on lights off. Is there a brand you guys have found that will either supplement/replace the 2 lights I already have that has a sunrise/sunset feature and is reliable? I think I want the 3w per LED right? I mainly want to grow hammers/torches.

07/30/2018, 08:47 PM	#2
saveafish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 873	Have you looked into a break out box and apex. Maybe cheap strips like reef bright and use the rest as a timer setting. I know you said you hate the on off timer. But if you did a couple strips on a ramp with apex than rest as a click on/off. __________________ If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.

07/30/2018, 08:49 PM	#3
saveafish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 873	To add viarsprecta makes higher wattage LEDs too. __________________ If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.

08/01/2018, 10:16 AM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	The problem is that everyone is using the Radions as the gold standard, whatever light you choose to accommodate your budget is going to be held to that standard. Ecotech has set the bar and unfortunately the price as well. If you choose a light at a substantial price reduction you're going to have to accept less bells and whistles. Don't be surprised of all the negative reviews. What makes the radion so great is that you can virtually set each color to a particular intensity. That allows full control and gives you the ability to reduce the colors that encourage nuisance algae growth while increase the colors that promote coral growth. If I were you, I would make that feature my number one priority when choosing a light within your budget. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

08/13/2018, 05:11 PM	#14
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I have a 6 footer with Photon V-2's & it cost me a lot less! Running 2 - 32" fixtures. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/01/2018, 02:55 AM	#5
paulmartin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: England Posts: 76	Hey buddy, I have a set of DsunY led's, fully programmable and for the money they are awesome. There are a few videos on YouTube, well worth checking out.

08/01/2018, 01:27 PM	#9
steallife904 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 944	reefbreeders photon v2s??? I run them on my tank, they are probably one of if not the best budget friendly lights.

08/11/2018, 05:51 PM	#13
Jason9488 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 152	Crazy light prices....i have two $100 LED lights and tank looks great and coral is growing like crazy