Advice for making the LED switch from T5s on a budget??

I'm thinking about trying to make the jump from T5s to LEDs. I've seen some models that are less expensive on ebay, but I really don't know what I'm looking for (other than 3w in order to get the correct PAR). I'm looking to light a 220 gallon reef. (I also have a 120 gallon FOWLR that I won't be growing coral in, so I'm guessing I don't really gain much by switching to LEDs for that one, right?) What can you suggest by way of LEDs? Has anyone bought a fixture off of ebay (or somewhere else) that wasn't a bank breaker that you would recommend? ;D

 

This is the better of the budget fixtures out there. I would go with these if I was trying to stick to a budget. As for your FOWLR....your right it can have whatever light you want since it wont be growing corals.

reefbreeders

 

Maxspect Razor 160 watt
Ecotech Radion gen 1, gen 2, PRO
Kessil a350w/a350
DIY
DIY "Evil Clusters"
Reefbreeders (Just came out w/ a fixture with NW)
etc etc

 

whats the budget, but I have a real nice rapidled system on half my tank and a reefbreeders on the other, and to be honest, the reefbreeders really stacks up well. I like it and its pretty cheap.

The cheapest you can do is aquastyle.com or something similar using bridgelux.

I wouldn't trust alot of the ebay ones, theres alot of crap on there.

 

Ecotech just had a pretty major price reduction on the Radions that would amount to a pretty big (relative) savings by the time you got enough to light a 220. Thinking you'd need 4 or maybe 5, depending on the dimensions.

 

I would use a fixture with either NW or WW which is why a diy, reefbreeders, or razor would do well.

 

Rapid LEDS would be the way to go! Very expandable..Cheap..

 

If you google evergrow (chinese company) i have heard good things about them and you can get them in a diy layout. look for d120 or it2040

 

i bought some super cheap ebay led lights a while back.
32 x 3 watt leds i paid around $86 for a new set, the seller had a sale price.
regular price is around $139 or so.

48" 51" Aquarium LED Light 3W x 32 Lunar Reef SPS Fish Plant Tank Hood CE | eBay

This seller also carries a 64 x 3 watt unit too, if you need stronger lighting.

48" 50" Aquarium LED Light Add on Timer Coral Fish Reef Tank 3W x 64 New | eBay

 

Disco mania in the 1st pic. ;D
Also only has cold white and cool blue.