3 Lighting options for a 4g

[stickx911]

So I'm shopping for lighting for a 4g pico. The goal is just softies, probably 90% zoas and maybe an lps like a frog spawn.

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Clamp-3W-Aquarium-Light-Nano-Bright-Marine-Fish-Coral-Cichlid-6x-3-Watts-/300819799508?_trksid=p5197.m1997&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D16%26meid%3D3599484549245484207%26pid%3D100016%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D300818542133%26">Cheap, but big and probably disappointing</a>
2. [IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Innovative-Marine-Skkye-Light-Clamp-4-Watt-14K-Black-/230828593258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35be74d06a">Cheap, well made, but maybe underpowered.</a>
3. [IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/330803689278?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619">Not expensive, but a little out of reach for me price wise right now.</a>

Common instinct just tells me to wait a bit and buy right. (the whole buy right or buy twice philosophy), but since the tank is so small and the needs are not very high, would the other two actually work while saving me money...?

Been debating to myself for a few days, I figured I'd see if anyone had input.

 

[ripped tide]

I didn't see an option for a 75w HQI metal halide... ?

 

[stickx911]

Ripped Tide;813912 wrote: I didn't see an option for a 75w HQI metal halide... ?

haha, wayy too much lighting and heat.
my office is already an oven from my pc. I had actually thought about it as I would love to do a MH tank again, but it's just not practical on this build.

 

[ripped tide]

Lol yeah, the halide would be a little impractical. I chose option three.

 

[glxtrix]

Ripped Tide;813912 wrote: I didn't see an option for a 75w HQI metal halide... ?

Whoa, where'd you get the extra 5w from?? :tongue:

My question is....are these really worth that cost? I've heard some stories about the ebay lights being nothing but algae growers. Do you know anyone with either of those?

 

[stickx911]

my lfs carries/displays the last 2, seem to do really well for nanos

 

[glxtrix]

Maybe pick their brains to see if they would lean more towards the higher wattage or lower. Or look to see which one is holding the corals you want and go from there.

 

[ripped tide]

It's easier to buy the higher wattage light and raise it than make the low powered light more powerful.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-455nm-Blue-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-Panel-for-Aquarium-/160834931286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2572824a56">http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-455nm-Blue-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-Panel-for-Aquarium-/160834931286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2572824a56</a>

[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Proof-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-for-10w-3series-3parallel-SMD-LED-Light-Part-/370694507651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f1d4c83">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Proof-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-for-10w-3series-3parallel-SMD-LED-Light-Part-/370694507651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f1d4c83</a>


[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aluminium-Heatsink-for-10W-High-Power-LED-Bulb-/270855374795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f103d07cb">http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aluminium-Heatsink-for-10W-High-Power-LED-Bulb-/270855374795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f103d07cb</a>


This is what I'm running on a 5gal Zoa/play tank. I have had it for months. Grows zoas as fast as I would expect from a 5gal. I made a frame from a $2 piece of L bar from Lowe's

I just ordered a hybrid 10w(white and blue on one chip) to see if that changes anything.

 

[glxtrix]

The-Bubonic-One, Got a pic of your setup?

 

[stickx911]

The-Bubonic-One;814023 wrote: http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-455nm-Blue-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-Panel-for-Aquarium-/160834931286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2572824a56">http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-455nm-Blue-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-Panel-for-Aquarium-/160834931286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2572824a56</a>

[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Proof-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-for-10w-3series-3parallel-SMD-LED-Light-Part-/370694507651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f1d4c83">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Proof-Power-Supply-LED-Driver-for-10w-3series-3parallel-SMD-LED-Light-Part-/370694507651?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564f1d4c83</a>


[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aluminium-Heatsink-for-10W-High-Power-LED-Bulb-/270855374795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f103d07cb">http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aluminium-Heatsink-for-10W-High-Power-LED-Bulb-/270855374795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f103d07cb</a>


This is what I'm running on a 5gal Zoa/play tank. I have had it for months. Grows zoas as fast as I would expect from a 5gal. I made a frame from a $2 piece of L bar from Lowe's

I just ordered a hybrid 10w(white and blue on one chip) to see if that changes anything.[/QUOTE]

link to the hybrid?

 

[the-bubonic-one]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-10W-Actinic-Royal-Blue-Hybrid-Led-Saving-Lamp-for-Aquarium-10Watt-Bulb-New-/110977407096?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6c4d878">http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-10W-Actinic-Royal-Blue-Hybrid-Led-Saving-Lamp-for-Aquarium-10Watt-Bulb-New-/110977407096?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d6c4d878</a>


Downside is posting pics is a pita cause of the blueness of the led

 

[stickx911]

same driver? also what are you using to power the driver? just wire straight into a 2pin AC cord? I have a basic understanding of wiring, I just want to make sure I'm on the right train of thought. Thanks for chiming in btw.