New lighting - LED?

[Mike]

No, sorry Bill. I even went back and found our old email confirmation from them and our invoice doesn't say it.

[alton]

OK, let me be specific on this: No SPS. No LPS. I have angelfish that love softies. I'm running just 2 VHOs right now, and one is actinic. Budget? $3-400. I'm not THAT picky on colors, as I have no stony corals.

Yes, I do remember the Philips 03 - in fact, I still use an Actinic 403! Drs F & S have them. My other issue is the ballast is about 10-12 years old now...

Buy one and see if you like it, you will need three minimum. But you will end up with 6 cords, and three fans to listen to.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-MarsAqu...-/370857093101

Or go back to old school for $400
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ho-...-lighting.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati...ctinic-03.html

[Bill S]

Dang, Alton. Those look pretty good, and have great reviews.

[alton]

Well when you have a 72" tank and want LED's it is hard to mention cheap when trying to light it. Most Leds would run you $700 minimum to make it work out. My 180 has 2 14K BML's that are 3 years old and I ran with my MH, and then added two 20K to replace my 3 x 250w MH.
The ocean revive may be better but not sure 2 fixtures would be enough? And with three you have now moved up to $600
http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=21

[Bill S]

Remember, I'm just looking for lighting - not growing SPS. I'd love to do stony corals, but we are gone a LOT.

So, I'm thinking either the Mars unit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-MarsAqu...IAAOSw4DJYhyyf

Or spend a few extra $$ and get a wifi light like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIFI-165W-LE...-/201332405274

I'm going to be dimming the heck out of these. Might try 2 to start, and put them up higher.

[alton]

Looking at it there is a big discount for buying two at a time