How To Upgrade Viparspectra 165w to SB Reef Lights PCB Tutorial

Just upgraded my Viparspectra 165w to the SB Reef Light PCBs. This was a fairly easy upgrade, however they use a different shape Molex connection so I had to splice my wires and use my old pin connections. It was nerve wracking but simple when using butt splices.
In my opinion, Viparspectra definitely seems to be on the "higher end" of the black box spectrum. The color and arrangement of the lights seems to be almost on par with SB, with SB having more true UV and better lenses for light distribution. I would say it's almost not worth it to upgrade if you already own Viparspectras and this upgrade would be a better choice for people who bought extremely cheap black boxes such as Mars Aqua, Galaxyhydro, etc.
Time will tell if this was a solid investment, though.
SB Reef Lights PCB Upgrade Kit: sbreeflights.com/sbox-upgrade...
Viparspectra 165w Digital Timer: www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-T...

[@Kiber2319]

Im so glad to finally have found a reefer who bought these cheap lights like I did haha!

[@LazyAssReefer]

Considering their price they are great lights. I grew softies, LPS, and SPS under them. Black boxes have come a long way for sure...

[@SnakeJr1225]

How do you feel a year later with the upgrade?

[@jetli3352]

Please help with setting after removing lenses for better spread. What mounting height and intensity is now recommend for running 165w viparspectra led reef light? Thanks

[@anthonymurphy3101]

Do you have a apex? If so how do you connect these to it?

[@anthonymurphy3101]

Did this help your tank out? Thinking of doing this because nothing is growing in my tank

[@born2beashooterjosh397]

How did your coral growth compare to other lights with the sb reef light? Is there a big difference in growth with the sb vs the viper but more importantly how does it compare with higher end lights like a hydra or radion?? Thinking of getting an older used hydra or radion but not sure it’s worth the massive cost difference

[@fathergratwick]

the viparspectra appear from the same manufacturer that used to sell mars aqua. The componensts are all identical to mine but the timer.

[@cleanbigboystoys]

We do Light reviews as well 0n all cheap reef lights. Vipersectra makes great lights solid build quality but the timers seem to loose time over time. That would be my only issue with them so far they are the best build quality of any black box we have tested on our page

[@adambgunn]

Nice tutorial... I’m super happy with my viparspectra lights right now but always window shopping., have you seen the Bozily reef fixtures? Seems like loads of these led fixtures are coming out...

[@wilw900]

I bought the $75 dual head Bozily gooseneck terrestrial plant fixtures from amazon, and the emitters are legit gorgeous (very similar to 3k halogen), but they also had no stress relief on the cords. One bump and they started tearing out with visible copper wiring. They make a very nice desk light.

[@TheMwowner1]

Do you think that i can swap out the fans and change them to fans that are silent??? I've noticed a lot of these led's use very loud fans, do you think its easy to swap out with better more silent computer fans?????? need some advice

[@LazyAssReefer]

Yes you can, you just have to be comfortable splicing and soldering wires. There's a guide somewhere on YT you just have to do some digging.

[@jtroutt19]

SO why not add a couple of true UV diodes? Also in the video you said that it seemed like you were getting more shadowing from the replacement board. Possible that the lens' on the SB were narrower? I own the Vipar 165w light. I was really impressed with it and will be buying another one when I move from my 40b to a 75g.

[@LazyAssReefer]

I'm pretty sure the SBReef board has true UV diodes.

[@SuperKimtuan]

RC Sessions you have 40b how many light 1 or 2?

[@youngreefer9292]

Where u get the board from

[@LazyAssReefer]

Young Reefer sbreeflights.com/sbox-upgrade-retro-kits/6-sbox-replacement-pcb-board.html

[@guaritaatooloperacional2024]

Olá bom dia me ajude por favor a configurar a minha luminária vipar Electra de 165 w só encontro video em inglês no yotube preciso em português

[@califishliving1437]

Great video, I also run these china boxes on my sumpless reef over a year and still going strong , maybe I’ll upgrade if they go out but why fix it if not broken . Save the money and buy more corals

[@Jornfromtjorn]

sp reef lights panel is shit, 2 of my 4 has gone out, the uv led get black

[@jonerikpeterson1727]

Also kinda curious why you think a heatsink wouldnt help or not with heat ? Ive heard the leds catch fire on these lights.. due to not heatsinks.. Like the board you put in... I personally think you downgraded and you made a mistake

[@LazyAssReefer]

I personally don't think it was a downgrade, I just came home from a 3 month deployment and all of my corals have grown really well. Also no fires yet. :)

[@jonerikpeterson1727]

Those warranty void if stickers are actually illegal in the United States the FTC actually warned companies thats its illegal and to stop doing that.. They cant void your warranty. Im glad you took this box apart.. i wanted to see what it looked like inside im glad they have fins on the heatsink.. vs just some flat plate

[@LazyAssReefer]

Good tip, I'll have to look in to that!

[@guaritaatooloperacional2024]

Ex liga as 9 horas os led azuis e as 10 horas liga todas e as 18 horas desliga as brancas e as 19h30 desliga todas

[@guaritaatooloperacional2024]

Me ajuda por favor

[@guaritaatooloperacional2024]

Meu aquário e 100cm x 50cm x 50 cm

[@lordraptor11]

fyi the fans are blowing ON the heasinks they are not drawing hea out, what the design actually does is push air through the heatsink out the sides. now anyone that has ever looked inside their pc case knows this design sucks because the fan gets plugged up in no time at all.

[@laminar_flow]

You really don't need to spend 2 grand on lights to grow coral. You can, but I don't believe you have to...

[@LazyAssReefer]

I definitely agree!

[@irishlad7458]

Should have done it your self 100 chips mixed 50 dollors easy

[@sirbum69]

the lights themselves actully come from china. If you do enough searching you will find the supplier himself that sells to sbreef. I was going to buy from him but i decided not too.

[@LazyAssReefer]

I mean I figured the lenses came from China but does SBReef assemble the boards in the US or is the whole thing imported? If so that's a huge disappointment.

[@sirbum69]

the whole thing i believe comes from china. The only difference is that he Manufactures them with Sbreefs proprietary layout. Another words how the LEDs are layed out on the board. Least that was what he told me when i was thinking of buying from him instead of sbreef. I still haven't bought one yet only cause my tank is a hexagon and so mounting is a issue for me

[@LazyAssReefer]

That is extremely disappointing!

[@thingsibuild7534]

Lazy Ass Reefer they just have it made in China to what they want and have it shipped to them. I've had boards made in China years ago its not a big.

[@danakin6207]

I live local to sb shop. It is disappointing that you cannot walk in and buy a light fixture. Has to be online. Then gets shipped to your house, from the manufacturer, located in China. Most of the black boxes components come out of the same factory.

[@adamday4283]

Birds nest🤔

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

So waist of time then😭😭😭😭 I have Mars aqua for 6 years now same lights spider lenses so they don't spot burn

[@cleanbigboystoys]

Totally not a upgrade should have left it as it lol