T5 Hybrid LED selection for a budget

[RC51]

Hello guys!

After a few years out of the hobby I'm looking to get back at it. Planning to get a 40 gallon tall tank 35x16x20 inch 42.2. Wanting to make it a mixed reef with SPS and LPS

I have a $250 budget to light my tank. Yes, quite low, but I think it should be enough to build a half decent T5/LED hybrid system.
I can get two 2 bulb fixtures for 30 bucks each, and bulbs for 10 dollars each. That makes the total for T5s 100 bucks (60 dollars for fixtures + 40 dollars bulbs) which leaves 150 bucks for the LED side of the stuff

After reading lots of R2R threads and watching YouTube videos, I've found the following to be the best options:
Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III - $152+shipping. Probably the best option.
ViparSpectra - $160+shipping. Also heard lots of people having success with this fixture.
2x Nicrew 30w - $90 each (incl shipping) so total 180 but can have 2 light sources across the tank.
SmartFarm 95w - $200 (incl shipping) - some people compare this to radions?
Shipping will be a bit expensive as I live in Japan. And yes, I have checked my local markets for second hand fixtures but not too much luck with that so far.

I'm planning to make a custom hanging fixture/bracket/thing to hang the fixtures above the tank.

What do you guys think will be the best option? Appreciate any advice/input!

 

[FernFish]

Hello guys!

After a few years out of the hobby I'm looking to get back at it. Planning to get a 40 gallon tall tank 35x16x20 inch 42.2. Wanting to make it a mixed reef with SPS and LPS

I have a $250 budget to light my tank. Yes, quite low, but I think it should be enough to build a half decent T5/LED hybrid system.
I can get two 2 bulb fixtures for 30 bucks each, and bulbs for 10 dollars each. That makes the total for T5s 100 bucks (60 dollars for fixtures + 40 dollars bulbs) which leaves 150 bucks for the LED side of the stuff

After reading lots of R2R threads and watching YouTube videos, I've found the following to be the best options:
Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III - $152+shipping. Probably the best option.
ViparSpectra - $160+shipping. Also heard lots of people having success with this fixture.
2x Nicrew 30w - $90 each (incl shipping) so total 180 but can have 2 light sources across the tank.
SmartFarm 95w - $200 (incl shipping) - some people compare this to radions?
Shipping will be a bit expensive as I live in Japan. And yes, I have checked my local markets for second hand fixtures but not too much luck with that so far.

I'm planning to make a custom hanging fixture/bracket/thing to hang the fixtures above the tank.

What do you guys think will be the best option? Appreciate any advice/input!

I’d say get two of the Noopsyche mini, with the Reef reef discount code it it should come to be 150$

 

[RC51]

I’d say get two of the Noopsyche mini, what the Reef reef discount code it it should come to be 150$

Are they the same LED puck/source?

 

[FernFish]

Are they the same LED puck/source?

Yes both lights should have the same puck, so you would have two lights sources, and those minis have built in adjustable, light channels, and ramp up

 

[FernFish]

Yes both lights should have the same puck, so you would have two lights sources, and those minis have built in adjustable, light channels, and ramp up

The timer on ramp up is through the app

 

[RC51]

Yes both lights should have the same puck, so you would have two lights sources, and those minis have built in adjustable, light channels, and ramp up

Cool. That sounds like a much better idea!

 

[FernFish]

Cool. That sounds like a much better idea!

You would also get better shimmer than the nicrew and better spread than a single k7

 

[RC51]

I’d say get two of the Noopsyche mini, with the Reef reef discount code it it should come to be 150$

Whats the discount code?

 

[FernFish]

Whats the discount code?

I think it’s r2r would have to check I found it on Reddit post

 

[FernFish]

Whats the discount code?

Noopsyche K7 Mini Schedule

Looked to this thread for some help on my own Noopsyche K7 Mini. Here is what I came up with, but I am open to critique... very new at this. My goal is to not fry my eyeballs and not fry my LPS while still bringing out the whites in the morning, and the bright colors in the evening. I feel...

www.reef2reef.com

Check out this thread for light schedule ideas also check out @JoJosReef office tank thread he runs the lights