freeswimmingfis
New member
Hello all,
Its been a while since I posted. For those that dont know or remember, I had a tank crash not too long ago.
I lost my Maxima clam, 90% of my SPS (all my purple and green monti, all acro, stylo, ect). A bunch of my LPS also suffered, including the death of most of my 2 BIG trumpet colonies, 5 out of 11 heads of torch, about 10 heads out of 60 from the frogspawn. The zoas and zenia are still there but have not opened in a long time. The softies are all great (mushrooms, leather, colt). And my GBTA are still multiplying.
I did lose 1 fish, my Kole tang. All others are fat and healthy. Clowns are spawning again.
So, as my tank is starting to "come back", I notice that there is a fast growing brown algae. I also get a thich green/brown film algae on the glass that needs to be cleaned daily. When I start to get this algae growth, I know its time to get new bulbs/lamps as they are going through a spectrum shift due to age (all need replaced by mid November). I have 2 250w MH Phoenix bulbs and 2 4' Super Actinic VHO lamps.
Well, I have decided that, since I dont have too many corals left, instead of replacing the MH and VHO this would be a good time to switch lighting sources.
I want to go with an LED system. Thats right, "old school Joe" is going with LED!
I want to do this now, as in today or in the next few days.
I have a budget of $1000 or less (preferably less).
My tank is 60x24x24. I am prob going to stay with a mixed tank, but prob more LPS than SPS. However, I do want to keep an SPS option in the plan.
On the short list is Reefbreeders Photon, either the 48" ($499) or 2 24" (2 x $329.09=$658.18). Any thoughts on these systems?
Both of these options would leave me cash to restock some corals.
Second is 2 26" LUMENTEK PRO 180 (2 shipped for $618.00)
Next would be EcoTech Radion XR30w. I think I could get away with 2 (2 x $549.00=$1,098.00). Slightly out of budget, but doable. Would not have any money left over for corals.
I am not all that interested in some of the "silly" features like clouds, lightning, ect. I do want to be able to ramp them up/down. The Photon has a built in controller, so that and the cost is a BIG plus. I am using a RKL as controller, no plans to change to Apex at this time.
I dont like the idea of using a computer to make changes, so that, and the cost is a BIG minus for Ecotech.
So, my real questions are:
Are the RB Photons really as good as I am seeing?
If I go with Photon, should I do the 48" or 2 24"? Why?
Are 2 LUMENTEK PRO 180 a better choice? Are they the same as RB Photon (same controller)?
Are the Ecotech really worth the extra money considering only want to ramp up/down?
If I go with EcoTech, is 2 enough for a 60" tank?
What are my other options for GOOD LED system that is within my budget?
Thanks,
Joe
Its been a while since I posted. For those that dont know or remember, I had a tank crash not too long ago.
I lost my Maxima clam, 90% of my SPS (all my purple and green monti, all acro, stylo, ect). A bunch of my LPS also suffered, including the death of most of my 2 BIG trumpet colonies, 5 out of 11 heads of torch, about 10 heads out of 60 from the frogspawn. The zoas and zenia are still there but have not opened in a long time. The softies are all great (mushrooms, leather, colt). And my GBTA are still multiplying.
I did lose 1 fish, my Kole tang. All others are fat and healthy. Clowns are spawning again.
So, as my tank is starting to "come back", I notice that there is a fast growing brown algae. I also get a thich green/brown film algae on the glass that needs to be cleaned daily. When I start to get this algae growth, I know its time to get new bulbs/lamps as they are going through a spectrum shift due to age (all need replaced by mid November). I have 2 250w MH Phoenix bulbs and 2 4' Super Actinic VHO lamps.
Well, I have decided that, since I dont have too many corals left, instead of replacing the MH and VHO this would be a good time to switch lighting sources.
I want to go with an LED system. Thats right, "old school Joe" is going with LED!
I want to do this now, as in today or in the next few days.
I have a budget of $1000 or less (preferably less).
My tank is 60x24x24. I am prob going to stay with a mixed tank, but prob more LPS than SPS. However, I do want to keep an SPS option in the plan.
On the short list is Reefbreeders Photon, either the 48" ($499) or 2 24" (2 x $329.09=$658.18). Any thoughts on these systems?
Both of these options would leave me cash to restock some corals.
Second is 2 26" LUMENTEK PRO 180 (2 shipped for $618.00)
Next would be EcoTech Radion XR30w. I think I could get away with 2 (2 x $549.00=$1,098.00). Slightly out of budget, but doable. Would not have any money left over for corals.
I am not all that interested in some of the "silly" features like clouds, lightning, ect. I do want to be able to ramp them up/down. The Photon has a built in controller, so that and the cost is a BIG plus. I am using a RKL as controller, no plans to change to Apex at this time.
I dont like the idea of using a computer to make changes, so that, and the cost is a BIG minus for Ecotech.
So, my real questions are:
Are the RB Photons really as good as I am seeing?
If I go with Photon, should I do the 48" or 2 24"? Why?
Are 2 LUMENTEK PRO 180 a better choice? Are they the same as RB Photon (same controller)?
Are the Ecotech really worth the extra money considering only want to ramp up/down?
If I go with EcoTech, is 2 enough for a 60" tank?
What are my other options for GOOD LED system that is within my budget?
Thanks,
Joe
