Almost time for a new light

[VirginiaReefer]

I'm right around 5 years for my LED "chinese black box" 165 watt light. 29 gallon (30 inches long) mixed reef. 3 montis and the rest are softies like zoas, mushroms, leather corals. I'm not trying to spend 400 $ plus if i dont have to since my tank has done fine for some time now. I am open to recommendations as i see a lot of people like the AI primes but at 60 watts per light 2 of those would be less watts than i have now and i felt like 3 is going to be over my price range. viparspectra is another ive seen around for a while. Anyone with a similar sized tank thats mixed reef with a preference? TIA!

 

[jermzisurmom]

Hyper reef 150 and controller 200$ and come with both style mounts!!!!

 

[VirginiaReefer]

Hyper reef 150 and controller 200$ and come with both style mounts!!!!

That is tempting. I'm considering the jump to nice lights like 2 AI primes but it is expensive. Less watts than what I have now but I guess the spectrum etc is better so corals frow better

 

[AquaLogic]

That is tempting. I'm considering the jump to nice lights like 2 AI primes but it is expensive. Less watts than what I have now but I guess the spectrum etc is better so corals frow better

I would go with Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III personally. Tons of light for cheap, controllable with an APP, and the best shimmer I have seen next to Kessil (I own both). If I wanted serious power I would buy Reefi Uno 2.0 pro for around 500$.

I don't see any reason to buy Prime or Radion. They are super overpriced for what you get. Buy Reefi if you want a ton of power, Noo-Psyche if you care about budget and like shimmer, or Kessil if you have money to burn and you LOVE simmer and want Kessil Logic simplicity.

To me, most other options are just a bad value. I would get one or two K7 Pro III long before I considered AI Primes. Much less expensive and much more light.

 

[Hooz]

In the $250 range, I'd be hard pressed to pass up the Chinese Radion clones right now. I'm not sure there's a better bang for the buck in reef LEDs.

Might have a hard time covering all 30" of tank length with one, though.

 

[exnisstech]

Another vote for noopsyche K7. I've grown sps, lps, softies, nems
and clams under them. 2 would do well over a tank that size I think.
Before teardown. 6 over my 180g

They worked so well I moved them to my new tank but only running 4 right now.

 

[VintageReefer]

Former black box owner. Current prime 16hd owner. Don’t get the prime. They melt lenses and have crappy fans that break

Go with

Noopsyche k7 pro III

Or

Nicrew hyperreef 150

Amazon.com

a.co

Or

Viparspectra is probably the closest to what you have now and also good