SB Reef Light ?s

[The Crunkness]

I've been banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what lights to go with.

I've thought about going the DIY route, but time is not on my side at the moment. After some great suggestions, I am really leaning toward SB Reef Lights Freshwater line. https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-freshw...-16-timer.html

My questions are around the timers and wifi. I plan to use a very capable Aquarium Controller (open to suggestions) and was wondering if the built in timers or wifi on the lights is necessary. I could save almost $200 per light by just going with the basic model.

I am very interested in tracking everything I can through computer software, but if I use a good controller wouldn't I be able to use that in place of the built in timers and maybe even wifi? What advantage is there with purchasing the timer and wifi versions?

This light will be going on an 8' X 3' X 2' tank. Can I get away with two of the 32" models? Or should I go with two of the 45" models? I don't plan on going super "high tech" out of the gate, but I am looking for some flexibility in that department. Probably be more in the moderate light requirement range....

 

[Gourami Swami]

How many you need for your 8' tank will depend on what you want to keep. If you want high light corals, I would imagine that may not be enough, as you would need to raise them over the tank to get coverage, and at that point may not be enough for the most demanding SPS. But if you wanted a softie/LPS reef, it may be fine.
I would imagine that you could control the light with a separate controller, but I have not had SB reef lights (though I have heard good things), so that would be a question you should ask the company.
This is their contact info from the site:
New office phone number: (850)332-7197
M-F 9am-4pm CST
Email is: SB.Reef.Lights@gmail.com

 

[twentyleagues]

Some of the controllers can control lights depending on the controllability of the lights. I diy'd some leds on my reef set up years ago like right after LEDs for reefs started gaining momentum. I had a reef keeper and it could turn them on and off but that was all. I had a friend of mine that is an IT/programmer guy build me a controller that did intensity spectrum and on off. Im good with the mechanical aspects not programming. I think apex is pretty programmable. I do however agree with Gourami Swami you need to find out how controllable those lights are before you invest in anything more then a timer or the extra into the wifi enabled ones. A good controller with all the bells and whistles will run you around a grand or more after all the modules are added up. I think you need to go with the 45s you can always dial it down to accommodate lower light corals and get a better light spread.

 

[Luke tomkinson]

I like going the LED way personally and lining the strips on gutters and hanging them over the tank!! pretty affective and comes with lots of extra colours and a controller