I have options, I need suggestions

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I am putting together a 220 tank. For lighting I currently have a fixture with 3 250w MH and 4 t5 HOs. I just acquired 3 AI Sol Blue. I am wondering what is my best option with the equipment I have. Keep the MH and sell the AIs or use the 3 AI and add some t5s. Are the AI enough for this tank
72 x 30 x 24? What is your thoughts?


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[Farmreefer]

I believe this is the chart for the AI Sol, I am definitely no expert but guess is you would probably want at least one more AI


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[IBroughtPopcorn]

Thank you. So buy another and drop the MH?


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[Farmreefer]

I've never used MH (only a year in the hobby) so my opinion is yes but I know from hours of YouTube videos you will find people that swear by a mix of both for growth.
I really must defer to more experienced reefers on that.


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[IBroughtPopcorn]

Ok thank you


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[Scubareefman]

I am putting together a 220 tank. For lighting I currently have a fixture with 3 250w MH and 4 t5 HOs. I just acquired 3 AI Sol Blue. I am wondering what is my best option with the equipment I have. Keep the MH and sell the AIs or use the 3 AI and add some t5s. Are the AI enough for this tank
72 x 30 x 24? What is your thoughts?


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Honestly I think it comes down to your taste. Ai Sol's are good LED's; however they are not a new line, Hydra and Prime have replaced them. That brings into question how many hours are on them? The MH bulbs can just be replaced but the led's are a one trick pony.

I looked over the Sol's specs listed here.
http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/ai-sol-blue-led-4070-module

They look like they would be able to run a nice LPS tank with some SPS towards the upper section even without T5's but they would add light to battle the deep shadows LED's cast imo.

I would say go LED and sub T5's with good clean reflectors when you get a chance. I did MH for a while and had success but found that the nicer things needed to really make my system shine were really hard to find, out of stock all of the time or had to be found used on ebay. That's just IMO, and that aint much.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Honestly I think it comes down to your taste. Ai Sol's are good LED's; however they are not a new line, Hydra and Prime have replaced them. That bring into question how many hours are on them? The MH bulbs can just be replaced but the led's are a one trick pony.



I looked over the Sol's specs listed here.

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/ai-sol-blue-led-4070-module



They look like they would be able to run a nice LPS tank with some SPS towards the upper section even without T5's but they would add light to battle the deep shadows LED's cast imo.



I would say go LED and sub T5's with good clean reflectors when you get a chance. I did MH for a while and had success but found that the nicer things needed to really make my system shine were really hard to find, out of stock all of the time or had to be found used on ebay. That's just IMO, and that aint much.

Thank you. I will hold on to them for a while. I think I can get the upgrade kits for them if I need to.


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[bhofosho]

If I had to do my tank again (I run a lot of leds) I would do t5s for spread and growth with led supplement for the actinic/night rb.


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[IBroughtPopcorn]

If I had to do my tank again (I run a lot of leds) I would do t5s for spread and growth with led supplement for the actinic/night rb.


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I think I need one more Sol so when it's time to change the MH lamps, I will just move to LED


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[Scubareefman]

I agree another led is needed. I would install the three for now, and watch for another sol to go up for sale in the used equipment thread. Three should be enough to support 90% of the lps, softie selection I think. LED's are so deceiving as to the power of the light out-put. Kessil 350w's for example look dimmer than MH at mid tank depth but in fact are putting out blistering par levels that can cook coral when run at 100%.


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[frogspawn74]

16 years of MH/vho or t5
Best imo overall.

Long term cost are about the same as leds. leds just have higher upfront cost. vs. annual replacement bulbs and higher cooling cost on the house with MH.

But I switched to led/t5 hybrid for the last 2 years.

I absolutely love the hybrid system. I chose kessil only because I couldn't give up my shimmer and I didn't want a disco effect which some led makers haven't figured out yet.

I have limited experience with led only. In fact I ran An AP700 for 6 months solo on a frag system. I was not happy with the overall growth of Led's only. I am sure this is true for all led only systems. T5 and MH just have a more forgiving spread of light and less play.
One day I am sure leds will get there. But, I don't believe there are there yet with any of the manufactures of leds.

If you want to try leds first I would get some type of retro T5 to put from and back of the Leds.
Hang on to MH fixture.

I still have my MH still and wont sell them just in case.

 

[kegogut]

16 years of MH/vho or t5
Best imo overall.

Long term cost are about the same as leds. leds just have higher upfront cost. vs. annual replacement bulbs and higher cooling cost on the house with MH.

But I switched to led/t5 hybrid for the last 2 years.

I absolutely love the hybrid system. I chose kessil only because I couldn't give up my shimmer and I didn't want a disco effect which some led makers haven't figured out yet.

I have limited experience with led only. In fact I ran An AP700 for 6 months solo on a frag system. I was not happy with the overall growth of Led's only. I am sure this is true for all led only systems. T5 and MH just have a more forgiving spread of light and less play.
One day I am sure leds will get there. But, I don't believe there are there yet with any of the manufactures of leds.

If you want to try leds first I would get some type of retro T5 to put from and back of the Leds.
Hang on to MH fixture.

I still have my MH still and wont sell them just in case.

And you cant argue with the results in this man's tank!

 

[reefslugs]

lighting.

lighting.

I think you should buy my 72'' t5 fixture. Run the LED in the back. Will be way more cooler and less energy. Plus with the MH your going to need a chiller.

 

[kegogut]

I think you should buy my 72'' t5 fixture. Run the LED in the back. Will be way more cooler and less energy. Plus with the MH your going to need a chiller.

I run 3x 250w MH with 4 T5 actinics and I dont need a chiller. It depends if you have a closed canopy,remote sump, etc.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I think you should buy my 72'' t5 fixture. Run the LED in the back. Will be way more cooler and less energy. Plus with the MH your going to need a chiller.

How much?


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[IBroughtPopcorn]

I have options, I need suggestions

I run 3x 250w MH with 4 T5 actinics and I dont need a chiller. It depends if you have a closed canopy,remote sump, etc.

I dont have a remote sump. But I will have 2 4inch 24 volt fans on either side of my canopy that should circulate a lot of air when the MH are on. I will know soon if that's enough to keep my water temp stable. Hope to have the canopy back on in two weeks or sooner.


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[reefslugs]

How much?


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I have it up for sale for only $150. Because I know there are not that many people who have a 72 inch tank. Plus I won't ship. It's full of ATI bulbs that are four months old to. You can see I have a post that I was cleaning out the basement and just trying to get stuff out of the house, that other people may use.