Led light advice for 200 gallon

Bigreeflittlefish · Aug 4, 2024

Hey All looking to buy some lower budget lights for my 200 gallon tank unfortunetly not really interested in spending 500+ for a light was looking at the Amazon lights and they all look great

First choice is this one

Amazon.com

a.co

Con - expensive for the 180 watt version nor sure i need that much watts

Second choice is the one

https://a.co/d/iwtOAs3

Con - no mobile setting / remote style setting which might be tougher then expected

Third choice

Amazon.com

a.co

Con seems to have mixed reviews price is ok..
Needs to have a controller to program which might be good

If anyone has had experience or knows these lights or something along these lights they recommend please help me out

Dbichler · Aug 4, 2024

I prefer viparspectra over the ones listed even though they are less controllable. Over 6 ft tank you need 3 viparspectras and 4-6 most likely 6 of the others.

Jekyl · Aug 4, 2024

What are you hoping to keep in this tank and how long has it been set up?

Lavey29 · Aug 4, 2024

Buy once cry once. Lights are a critical component for a successful reef unless you are going fowler instead.

T5 set up would be the most effective and cost saving in my opinion if you want corals.

Tamberav · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Hey All looking to buy some lower budget lights for my 200 gallon tank unfortunetly not really interested in spending 500+ for a light was looking at the Amazon lights and they all look great

First choice is this one

Amazon.com

a.co

Con - expensive for the 180 watt version nor sure i need that much watts

Second choice is the one

https://a.co/d/iwtOAs3
Con - no mobile setting / remote style setting which might be tougher then expected

Third choice

Amazon.com

a.co

Con seems to have mixed reviews price is ok..
Needs to have a controller to program which might be good

If anyone has had experience or knows these lights or something along these lights they recommend please help me out

Well then you should just get these:

NOOPSYCHE K7 V3 aquarium led saltwater coral light for USA

Better spectrum out / Excellent Growth / Feed Almost all the of the SPS/LPS coral in one reef tank isn't a dream especially red coral Perfect mixing and Shimmer / Superior Color Mixing / The best mixing spectrum technology / Affordable price LED reef lighting/ about 1.4watt per dollar

noopsychereeflight.com

They are a sponsor here, shipping is slow.

Bigreeflittlefish · Aug 4, 2024

Jekyl said:
What are you hoping to keep in this tank and how long has it been set up?

Tank isn’t setup yet will be taking over my 75 reef which is mostly softies and hammers but eventually want a mix

Jekyl · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Tank isn’t setup yet will be taking over my 75 reef which is mostly softies and hammers but eventually want a mix

What lights do you currently have?

Bigreeflittlefish · Aug 4, 2024

Jekyl said:
What lights do you currently have?

On my 75 i was running 3 x ai prime 16HD didn’t have major growth but everything thrived

MugenReef95 · Aug 4, 2024

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Take a look at these knock off radions heard they’re strong lol

mrpontiac80 · Aug 4, 2024

Smatfarm is ok. Personal experience but I didn’t love it.

My friend runs nicrew and has for years. His mixed tank is awesome.

Never even heard of the first choice.

Personally I’d look for used reefbreeder photons. You can often find a 3’ or 4’ for 200-400 dollars. I love mine.

But if you go with any of those puck lights you’re going to need at minimum of 3 and more likely 6 as your tank grows in.

My buddies 125 gallon tank using nicrew. They seem to be more purple color but the corals look nice

My reefbreeders lit 180 with xho lights also. That is in my peak light time with whites.

Uncle99 · Aug 4, 2024

3 Viparspectra, 2 Aqueon Halos, 3 T5, all Amazon, over 180g.

crazyfishmom · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Hey All looking to buy some lower budget lights for my 200 gallon tank unfortunetly not really interested in spending 500+ for a light was looking at the Amazon lights and they all look great

First choice is this one

Amazon.com

a.co

Con - expensive for the 180 watt version nor sure i need that much watts

Second choice is the one

https://a.co/d/iwtOAs3
Con - no mobile setting / remote style setting which might be tougher then expected

Third choice

Amazon.com

a.co

Con seems to have mixed reviews price is ok..
Needs to have a controller to program which might be good

If anyone has had experience or knows these lights or something along these lights they recommend please help me out

For a 200 gallon going higher in wattage is a great idea.

I have used Nicrew 100W in a smaller tank and my corals did great and got beautiful coloration with them. The PAR level was not super high though so depending on what you’re trying to grow.

I’m going to add another choice for you to consider: Viparspectra 165W.

I just started a 55 gallon frag tank and I wanted cheap lights. I have a PAR meter and set them up today. Had to turn them down to 20% blue, 1% white to get 130-150 on the sand bed. Was getting 300 + on the sand bed of a 21 inch tall tank at 60% blue 10% white. Super impressed at this point.

14 foot reef · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Hey All looking to buy some lower budget lights for my 200 gallon tank unfortunetly not really interested in spending 500+ for a light was looking at the Amazon lights and they all look great

First choice is this one

Amazon.com

a.co

Con - expensive for the 180 watt version nor sure i need that much watts

Second choice is the one

https://a.co/d/iwtOAs3
Con - no mobile setting / remote style setting which might be tougher then expected

Third choice

Amazon.com

a.co

Con seems to have mixed reviews price is ok..
Needs to have a controller to program which might be good

If anyone has had experience or knows these lights or something along these lights they recommend please help me out

Look into the brand new release from Quanta Lights - The Atlas $499.00 per fixture see this thread just posted with par readings. THe color, spread, & par are amazing, manual adjustment 150, 200, & 250 watt output with 0-10v dimmable control.
I just installed these above my 72"x48"x18" frag flat, only 3 lights needed, producing massive par !!! and I have them mounted 37" above the waterline !!!!
Game Changing Lights !!!!

Quata LED Atlas Par numbers published. Readings taken 12" underwater at a height set at 37" above waterline.

Quanta LED Atlas Par numbers published. Readings taken 12" underwater at a height set at 37" above waterline. 2 Readings taken, exact same grid location, 1 set at 200 watts, the other set at 250 watts. Amazing results !!! The Quanta Atlas LED's are only $499.00 per fixture with 720 LED diodes...

www.reef2reef.com

Jekyl · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
On my 75 i was running 3 x ai prime 16HD didn’t have major growth but everything thrived

I would keep them and get a t5 hybrid setup. Best of both worlds.

Bigreeflittlefish · Aug 4, 2024

Jekyl said:
I would keep them and get a t5 hybrid setup. Best of both worlds.

Feel like t5s are so out dated lol

Jekyl · Aug 4, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Feel like t5s are so out dated lol

That's advertising getting to you. T5 and halide are still king.

Diffused lighting vs spotlighting, par values much easier on coral, way less issue with shading.

Bigreeflittlefish · Aug 4, 2024

What about the orphek led bars
250 for a bar what if i got 2 blues 1 mix? Would that produce decent?

Foomanj · Aug 6, 2024

Bigreeflittlefish said:
Hey All looking to buy some lower budget lights for my 200 gallon tank unfortunetly not really interested in spending 500+ for a light was looking at the Amazon lights and they all look great

First choice is this one

Amazon.com

a.co

Con - expensive for the 180 watt version nor sure i need that much watts

Second choice is the one

https://a.co/d/iwtOAs3
Con - no mobile setting / remote style setting which might be tougher then expected

Third choice

Amazon.com

a.co

Con seems to have mixed reviews price is ok..
Needs to have a controller to program which might be good

If anyone has had experience or knows these lights or something along these lights they recommend please help me out

I tried the core xp and my viperspcra seemed to produce more light penatration. I've been running the viperspectea for years no issues. I had to replace My last one after 8 years of use not too bad. Coral grows fine colors look good. Get the one that has the timer on it. The other one I would get would be the Noopsyche lights. Can't beat the prices and grows coral what more do you want. I also had the knock off radions but they kept losing connection.