Overwhelmed by Lighting Choices

[Cstaricansrfer1]

I have 2 Photon 16s on my 75G and am pretty satisfied with them so far.
I cannot hear the fans on them unless I am about a foot away.

 

[OCCOFNY]

Welcome back JiveWalker. Leds are certainly the future for saltwater aquariums. But look at this thread here and judge for yourself. I know that he built the lights himself but there are certainly many mfgs. that make quality fixtures. Look here : http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2323926

Good luck, Neil

 

[JiveWalker]

Been researching the LEDs and am leaning toward the reef breeder photon, but I decided I'm in no hurry as my tank hasn't even cycled yet and they seem to be selling out quickly. I'd like to hear what people are saying a little more before I she'll out the beans. I haven't really heard any cons yet, would really like to wait and hear if there are any. Meanwhile, I'm using one of my 15 year old single tube strips to stare at the no fish yet cycling tank, so relaxing...

 

[Bpb]

The reef breeders fixtures really do look nice in person. I've got a few friends with the value fixtures and the colors they get are just fantastic. Only issue is that its a fairly new product, and honestly even after alot of searching, I haven't found many packed mature healthy sps dominant tanks being lit by these fixtures. Not necessarily a knock on them, just a lack of long term success evidence. No reason to believe they can't work though. Par and color are all good. Time will tell.

 

[JiveWalker]

Thanks for everyones input and advice! I ordered the Photon 48 and am anxiously awaiting its arrival now! Might have to find a new project while I wait, maybe re-aquascape for fun.

 

[jda]

If you are getting corals down the road, then get a LED fixture down the road. If you get one now, it is already a dinosaur and will be even more so in the future. Most of the fixtures that are 2 years old are hard to sell anymore.

 

[JiveWalker]

If you are getting corals down the road, then get a LED fixture down the road. If you get one now, it is already a dinosaur and will be even more so in the future. Most of the fixtures that are 2 years old are hard to sell anymore.

Great point and one that I considered. I have never done coral before, but have had a few FOWLR. Maybe once my tank is established in 6 months or so ill give coral a try. My problem now is that the only lighting i have is a bunch of 48"T-12 strips and a 4x65 PC, all with very old bulbs. For the amount of money I would spend on bulbs and used fixtures now to get my tank up and running, I'm pretty close to the cost of the LED, not to metion on going bulb replacement. FOr me, the LED seems to make sense, and I'm not the type that has to have the latest or greatest. I'm running a berlin 25-250 skimmer for instance. I'm actually feeling refreshed that I wont have to worry so much about heat or ballasts. I'm excited.