I just commissioned a 2x2x2 foot tank to be built and am looking at lighting options now. The tank is currently planned to be an LPS tank, but I'd like the option to move to SPS in future if I happen to change plans.
I'm currently considering between the following fixtures:
1. 1x Hydra26 - Would this be sufficient for SPS in future?
2. 2x Hydra26 / 1x Hydra52 - Difference between these 2 is that if I opt for 2x Hydra26, I will be able to arrange them laterally side by side to achieve a 2x2 configuration of clusters. If I opt for 1x Hydra52, it will be a simple 1x4 configuration, which will result in more intensity left to right but less intensity back to front.
3. 1x Maxspect Razor 120W - Cheapest option, but least aesthetically pleasing and lack of "full spectrum" LEDs
4. 1x Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue with Controller - Concern is that Kessil's description of this light is to be used with shallow tanks, and mine has 2ft height. Also, of all the lights considered, this is the hardest to obtain in my country as only 1 shop carries it (it's not even an LFS, it's a hydroponics store) and once it's out of stock, it takes months to replenish
I am tempted to try T5s as many people seem to like the colour rendition and coral reaction better, but I am also put off by the need to change bulbs every 6-9 months and greater overall cost (if I were to go T5, I would get an ATI set, which costs almost as much as the LED sets + electricity costs + bulb replacement costs). Also the loss of shimmer. Does T5 really give so much benefit over LEDs?
Benefit of going with AIs is that as I slowly upgrade all my tanks to AI in future (currently all my tanks including freshwater ones are using Maxspect), I can on-board them to the MyAI control panel and, in future, be able to control all my lights using a Director and my PC, instead of having to go to each tank to adjust manually as I do now on my Razors - AI configuration also gives much more options than the current Razor simple setup.
All advice would be appreciated
I'm currently considering between the following fixtures:
1. 1x Hydra26 - Would this be sufficient for SPS in future?
2. 2x Hydra26 / 1x Hydra52 - Difference between these 2 is that if I opt for 2x Hydra26, I will be able to arrange them laterally side by side to achieve a 2x2 configuration of clusters. If I opt for 1x Hydra52, it will be a simple 1x4 configuration, which will result in more intensity left to right but less intensity back to front.
3. 1x Maxspect Razor 120W - Cheapest option, but least aesthetically pleasing and lack of "full spectrum" LEDs
4. 1x Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue with Controller - Concern is that Kessil's description of this light is to be used with shallow tanks, and mine has 2ft height. Also, of all the lights considered, this is the hardest to obtain in my country as only 1 shop carries it (it's not even an LFS, it's a hydroponics store) and once it's out of stock, it takes months to replenish
I am tempted to try T5s as many people seem to like the colour rendition and coral reaction better, but I am also put off by the need to change bulbs every 6-9 months and greater overall cost (if I were to go T5, I would get an ATI set, which costs almost as much as the LED sets + electricity costs + bulb replacement costs). Also the loss of shimmer. Does T5 really give so much benefit over LEDs?
Benefit of going with AIs is that as I slowly upgrade all my tanks to AI in future (currently all my tanks including freshwater ones are using Maxspect), I can on-board them to the MyAI control panel and, in future, be able to control all my lights using a Director and my PC, instead of having to go to each tank to adjust manually as I do now on my Razors - AI configuration also gives much more options than the current Razor simple setup.
All advice would be appreciated
