Another help me choose LED thread

[mule31]

First, sorry for posting another help me pick led thread. I have done a ton of searching and googling and I'm having trouble making a choice. It is obviously an expensive purchase so I dont want to screw it up.

I have a 90 gallon mixed tank. Mostly high end lps and a few sps. The tank will have mostly SPS and LPS with a number of bta and rbtas when I'm done with it. I know that they can move but I will have separate islands for the nems so it should minimize the walking.

My issues are:

1) The wife requires I have a canopy on my tank. Right now I have a stock canopy that lets me hang lights about 7 to 8 inches off the water. I can build a canopy but the max I will be able to get them off the water is 10inches. I will have to keep a canopy on my tank

2) All the add on features with the Ecotech LED are nice, but not needed. But the lack of full color spectrum has me concerned with the AI Sols.

3) I have no problem buying 2 AI Sols or 2 Ecotechs, but don't want to have to shell out for 3 of either units.

4) Is there a third option besides the AI or Ecotech that I am not considering that may be a better choice?

5) Right now I am running 6 T5s that run about 324 watts or so, is there one option or the other that would save me more energy and cut some expenses on my tank

I appreciate the input.

 

[snorvich]

I have AI and Pacific Sun on different tanks. I prefer the latter but AI are fine as well. However, no way will two AI be sufficient; two Pacific Sun may be.

 

[mule31]

Why would two AI not be enough? Coverage issues?

 

[edsreef]

I have three Radions on my 90gal. Most normal people use two. :celeb1:

 

[mule31]

How are they mounted edsreef? how high awl?

 

[rtparty]

2 ecoxotic panorama pro retrofits would work out very well. Get them in the dimmable version so you can acclimate things. Then you can get some stunner strips if you want to play with the color of the tank a little bit. A blue/magenta stunner strip in the 48" version should fit in your canopy . That will highlight some pinks and reds for you. Then a 453nm blue stunner will make things pop even more!

 

[iHasFishes]

i love my ecoxotic! you can get two Panorama fixures, and add as many of the pro strips as you want which add 19watts per strip for only $90

 

[mule31]

They looked like an interesting option. I also like the fact that you can add in other colors.