Best LED light for softy only tank?

Newreefer125 · 04/01/2017, 01:51 PM

Hello. I have a 6' 125 gallon tank. I'm looking into buying lights. I only plan to keep softies in the tank so I don't want to over spend on a light. However I want the light to be powerful enough to keep everything healthy. The light has to be LED because I don't need any extra heat. Anyone have suggestions?

NYCBOB · 04/01/2017, 02:03 PM

no such thing as best. everyone has their opinion. if u r on a budget, the chinese black box on ebay and amazon would do. i heard good thing on the reefbreeder led. ecotech, u will pay a premium. whats ur budget?

mcgyvr · 04/01/2017, 02:04 PM

2 of these and done...
https://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-5...led+light+wifi

Or these with remote/built-in timers
https://www.amazon.com/SYGAVLED-Aqua...ed+165w+remote

In general all the "Chinese Black Box" LEDs as these work fine to grow anything and are very low cost but still reliable/good quality..

Newreefer125 · 04/01/2017, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

2 of these and done...
https://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-5...led+light+wifi

Or these with remote/built-in timers
https://www.amazon.com/SYGAVLED-Aqua...ed+165w+remote

In general all the "Chinese Black Box" LEDs as these work fine to grow anything and are very low cost but still reliable/good quality..

Okay thanks I will look into them

Newreefer125 · 04/01/2017, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCBOB

no such thing as best. everyone has their opinion. if u r on a budget, the chinese black box on ebay and amazon would do. i heard good thing on the reefbreeder led. ecotech, u will pay a premium. whats ur budget?

About $700 would be my max...

cswells212 · 04/02/2017, 04:07 PM

you would need 3 of the 16" lights for a 6ft tank.

After buying/returning 4 different lights (galaxyhydro included) I ended up with the it2081 and it ROCKS. you could get 2 of them since they are ~32" long and they have awesome programming that is WAY better than the galaxyhydro or any of the other black boxes.

look them up on fleabay, I got mine for a steal bidding on an auction instead of using the buy it now and absolutely love it.

jason2459 · 04/02/2017, 04:33 PM

What kind of softies as some like high light.

My white pompom xenia and a green mushroom have been under a single reefbrite strip and stunner ultra violet strip for around 6 years.

But my yellow Fiji leather and red mushrooms are under some much more intense lighting keeping lps, sps, and anemones.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

jason2459 · 04/02/2017, 04:36 PM

For a 6' tank I'd look at 2 36" fixtures. I personally like reefbreeders for balance of cost, support, and quality.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

luvreefs23 · 04/02/2017, 05:18 PM

3 ai primes, in at budget and a good controllable quality led light with nice dimming capabilities

Centurio · 04/02/2017, 06:10 PM

My two cents on buying lights just for softies....

It's a waste of money. Two months from now you'll want to replace them with something better to add some Euphyllia's, or rarer Zoas, or to see better growth.....,

jason2459 · 04/02/2017, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centurio

My two cents on buying lights just for softies....

It's a waste of money. Two months from now you'll want to replace them with something better to add some Euphyllia's, or rarer Zoas, or to see better growth.....,

Which LEDs are a perfect choice for this. They can easily be ramped down and up as required. Plus if black box leds are chosen the bank won't be broken. 2 36" fixtures would give great coverage on a standard 125.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Newreefer125 · 04/02/2017, 07:45 PM

I ended up ordering 3 of the ocean revive t247 LED lights

Ron Reefman · 04/03/2017, 05:16 AM

Three OR T247 leds will allow you to grow any kind of coral you want. I still have one of the very first T247 fixtures ever made working over my frag tank and works perfectly.

sjkarrow87 · 04/03/2017, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newreefer125

I ended up ordering 3 of the ocean revive t247 LED lights

I have the same fixture t247 and Love it. While my tank is only 28 gallons I can easily grow anything and it supports soft corals just fine.

Newreefer125 · 04/03/2017, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Three OR T247 leds will allow you to grow any kind of coral you want. I still have one of the very first T247 fixtures ever made working over my frag tank and works perfectly.

Awsome!

krshlln300 · 04/03/2017, 06:45 AM

How is the color spread of these? Do you get lots of "disco" effect?

jason2459 · 04/03/2017, 09:05 AM

I had 3 S026 ocean revives. Same light just manual control. They worked well. I ended up pushing both channels to 100% and slapped 2 T5s in my canopy to get more light and calm down the disco.

The biggest issue is they only have 2 channels so the Reds and greens ramp up with the white and cool blue which does make a disco effect. I've seen some take the lens out for those LEDs to help their spread or just cover them up.

Newreefer125 · 04/03/2017, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krshlln300

How is the color spread of these? Do you get lots of "disco" effect?

They are still on there way

mcgyvr · 04/03/2017, 10:45 AM

I have/had the S026 models (2 on my old 120G (6ftlong)) and was able to grow anything and the spread is just fine.. very little if any disco effect..
Mine was roughly 10" off the surface of the water..

Elricsfate · 04/03/2017, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Three OR T247 leds will allow you to grow any kind of coral you want. I still have one of the very first T247 fixtures ever made working over my frag tank and works perfectly.

I'm going to look into these as well.

04/01/2017, 01:51 PM	#1
Newreefer125 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 49	Best LED light for softy only tank? Hello. I have a 6' 125 gallon tank. I'm looking into buying lights. I only plan to keep softies in the tank so I don't want to over spend on a light. However I want the light to be powerful enough to keep everything healthy. The light has to be LED because I don't need any extra heat. Anyone have suggestions?

04/01/2017, 02:04 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	2 of these and done... https://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-5...led+light+wifi Or these with remote/built-in timers https://www.amazon.com/SYGAVLED-Aqua...ed+165w+remote In general all the "Chinese Black Box" LEDs as these work fine to grow anything and are very low cost but still reliable/good quality.. __________________ Who me?

04/02/2017, 04:33 PM	#7
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	What kind of softies as some like high light. My white pompom xenia and a green mushroom have been under a single reefbrite strip and stunner ultra violet strip for around 6 years. But my yellow Fiji leather and red mushrooms are under some much more intense lighting keeping lps, sps, and anemones. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

04/02/2017, 04:36 PM	#8
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	For a 6' tank I'd look at 2 36" fixtures. I personally like reefbreeders for balance of cost, support, and quality. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

04/03/2017, 05:16 AM	#13
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Three OR T247 leds will allow you to grow any kind of coral you want. I still have one of the very first T247 fixtures ever made working over my frag tank and works perfectly. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/01/2017, 02:03 PM	#2
NYCBOB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,768	no such thing as best. everyone has their opinion. if u r on a budget, the chinese black box on ebay and amazon would do. i heard good thing on the reefbreeder led. ecotech, u will pay a premium. whats ur budget?

04/02/2017, 04:07 PM	#6
cswells212 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 33	you would need 3 of the 16" lights for a 6ft tank. After buying/returning 4 different lights (galaxyhydro included) I ended up with the it2081 and it ROCKS. you could get 2 of them since they are ~32" long and they have awesome programming that is WAY better than the galaxyhydro or any of the other black boxes. look them up on fleabay, I got mine for a steal bidding on an auction instead of using the buy it now and absolutely love it.

04/02/2017, 05:18 PM	#9
luvreefs23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 758	3 ai primes, in at budget and a good controllable quality led light with nice dimming capabilities

04/02/2017, 06:10 PM	#10
Centurio Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 398	My two cents on buying lights just for softies.... It's a waste of money. Two months from now you'll want to replace them with something better to add some Euphyllia's, or rarer Zoas, or to see better growth.....,

04/02/2017, 07:45 PM	#12
Newreefer125 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 49	I ended up ordering 3 of the ocean revive t247 LED lights

04/03/2017, 06:45 AM	#16
krshlln300 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Robinson twp, PA Posts: 641	How is the color spread of these? Do you get lots of "disco" effect?

04/03/2017, 09:05 AM	#17
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	I had 3 S026 ocean revives. Same light just manual control. They worked well. I ended up pushing both channels to 100% and slapped 2 T5s in my canopy to get more light and calm down the disco. The biggest issue is they only have 2 channels so the Reds and greens ramp up with the white and cool blue which does make a disco effect. I've seen some take the lens out for those LEDs to help their spread or just cover them up. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

04/03/2017, 10:45 AM	#19
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I have/had the S026 models (2 on my old 120G (6ftlong)) and was able to grow anything and the spread is just fine.. very little if any disco effect.. Mine was roughly 10" off the surface of the water.. __________________ Who me?