Lighting for SPS dominate Elos 120xl

J

Jeremy257

New member
All,

I'm about to make my purchase finally. My tank will be an Elos 120xl which is 47.25Lx31.5Wx19.7H.

The tank will primarily be SPS.

Would you go with 4xHydra 26 HD or a 48" Giesemann Spectra for lighting?

Thanks.
 
You can consider 3x Radion XR30 Pro G4s. I used to use Hydra52s and have recently switched to the G4s, and I must say that I am impressed.
 
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Love my new Mitras LX7


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks folks. I can get a good deal on Hydras and that is why I would consider them if I went the LED route. I can get a good price on the Hydra 52s. I know the Mitras and Ecotech lights are great but I don't want to spend that much on lighting. The Hydras and the Giesemann will have roughly the same startup cost. The Giesemann will cost much more ongoing. If I get the Giesemann and the Acropora don't grow.. I know it won't be because of lighting. The Hydras are more long term cost effective and who doesn't love the way their corals look under LED. Ugh.
 
If you choose to go the Hydra 26/52 HD route, send me a PM. A few of us on here are using a mock profile from Ecotech Marine's SPS AB+ profile with great success with our Acropora!
 
Hentz said:
If you choose to go the Hydra 26/52 HD route, send me a PM. A few of us on here are using a mock profile from Ecotech Marine's SPS AB+ profile with great success with our Acropora!
Click to expand...

Can you send that one to me please? I would like to see how it compares to what I run.
 
Wazzel said:
Can you send that one to me please? I would like to see how it compares to what I run.
Click to expand...

Yep I'll PM you now.

I ran your setup, slightly modified on my previous tank. Worked great before switching to my T5 setup.

Running this, I can't completely compare to the previous tank because my tank is still maturing. Though my Acropora are loving it. How high are your lights off the water?
 
Hentz said:
Yep I'll PM you now.

I ran your setup, slightly modified on my previous tank. Worked great before switching to my T5 setup.

Running this, I can't completely compare to the previous tank because my tank is still maturing. Though my Acropora are loving it. How high are your lights off the water?
Click to expand...

Thanks, my lights are 12-13 inches off the water.
 
Hentz said:
Yep I'll PM you now.

I ran your setup, slightly modified on my previous tank. Worked great before switching to my T5 setup.
Click to expand...

This statement helped me finalize my decision. I just made my order. I know that folks are successful with LED. I notice in this SPS forum many are using T5s for there tanks. I love shimmer. I just ordered the a 48" Giesemann Spectra and a couple of Luxcore ballasts. I will run Radiums and ATI Blue+ bulbs. I am an SPS amateur for sure but I really want a tank full of acros. I feel like this decision will allow me to focus on water chemistry and stability knowing that I can't mess up the light. I'm sure down the road I'll give LEDs another shot.
 
Jeremy257 said:
This statement helped me finalize my decision. I just made my order. I know that folks are successful with LED. I notice in this SPS forum many are using T5s for there tanks. I love shimmer. I just ordered the a 48" Giesemann Spectra and a couple of Luxcore ballasts. I will run Radiums and ATI Blue+ bulbs. I am an SPS amateur for sure but I really want a tank full of acros. I feel like this decision will allow me to focus on water chemistry and stability knowing that I can't mess up the light. I'm sure down the road I'll give LEDs another shot.
Click to expand...
Great, great choice!

I know plenty have success with LEDs. I gave them over 3 years on my different systems and I ran countless brands and setups. I never felt like my tanks had the "wow" factor under LEDs. So my new setup that is curing is going back to the absolute gold standard of lighting: MH and T5. I will add some type of LED bar for dusk/dawn but it will be a while before I need to do that.

Good luck and congrats!
 
rtparty said:
Great, great choice!

I know plenty have success with LEDs. I gave them over 3 years on my different systems and I ran countless brands and setups. I never felt like my tanks had the "wow" factor under LEDs. So my new setup that is curing is going back to the absolute gold standard of lighting: MH and T5. I will add some type of LED bar for dusk/dawn but it will be a while before I need to do that.

Good luck and congrats!
Click to expand...

Thanks RT. I'm really excited to get this thing running.
 
No love for Kessil? I vote either the A360 series of the AP700. Personally I vote A360 series as I have had good success with most everything under them. They are deceptively powerful.
 
Scorpius said:
No love for Kessil? I vote either the A360 series of the AP700. Personally I vote A360 series as I have had good success with most everything under them. They are deceptively powerful.
Click to expand...

From my side.. the AI products were the only LEDs under consideration due to the great prices I could get on them.
 
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