Need help on supplement lighting

So I unfortunately ended up with a fixture that isn't the worst but isn't the best.

I really like my zoomed, its actually very bright, causes a really nice shimmer, and I love the blue.

I am looking for an easy, affordable method to supplement lighting.

Does anyone have any ideas or even links on DIY? I want to stay with led or add a t5ho.
I have no hood nor can hang any fixtures from the ceiling(lease agreement)

Thx

 

RapidLED is a good place to start looking

 

Thank you.
Been researching and it is all so confusing, no wonder so many ppl end up buying the wrong fixtures. MH, PC, and T5ho's all make sense but LED's...not so much. The info available online leads one to think, I understand less now than I did before.

I just want something very simple that will allow softies and LPS to thrive.

Trying to locate the wattage and how many LED's...seems impossible. Not a single site explains it

 

You could add another zoo med fixture or a current led fixture to give you a boost

 

So you have that zoomed fixture that was talked about in that other thread?

Others mentioned a black box led from Amazon, or maybe get a 2-4 bulb T5 to run with that zoomed LED.

Or just buy a metal halide fixture that mounts onto the tank

 

metal halide...way too high in hydro costs

Yes, unfortunately I do have that fixture.

There is a LFS here that makes custom LED fixtures. He also sells used stuff. He has a PAR38 LED that can go into any desk/clamp on lamp. I may be able to trade in my current fixture for the PAR38 or have them build me a custom LED

My only issue is not completely understanding what I really need for softies/LPS...I hate not understanding how many watts and LEDs I need.

 

The par38 will be enough. I used to have one that grew sps without a problem.

And I don't have a full grasp of it either, that's why I like to look at PAR readings when available. Also why I like T5 or MH. Lol

 

I'm with you on that Va Reef. T5's made sense, I purchased the correct bulb, voila

The info regarding LED is contradicting. It almost makes you feel like you are getting ripped off regardless of what you buy. lol

 

Yes, unfortunately I do have that fixture.



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The 16th China International Lighting Fair (Autumn Fair) will be held from 22-26 October, 2015 at the Guzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province.

 

PAR is what you need to use with today's lighting choices. Watts-per-gallon was the old standard for determining how many T-12 VHO bulbs were needed to light your tank. With the various lighting types available now that utilize energy differently, WPG could never work properly. PAR also gives us a better understanding of our lighting system's efficiency.