Purchasing LEDs- advice needed

[Badfish_Reefer]

Hoping I could get some advice and thoughts before purchasing new LED lights. I currently have a cheap 48 inch, 4 bulb T5 fixture. As I become more experienced in the hobby I'm finding myself wanting new challenges. Aka, time to ditch the softies and venture into the world of SPS. My tank is 75 gallons, 48X18X21 (I think, will double check when home from work).

I'd like an LED fixture that's $500 or less but will still be a quality light. Just looking for suggestions from your guys personal experiences. Preferably, I don't want a light that's too blue, as I have seen many LEDs where that's the case. But definitely more blue than my T5s. Thanks! :beer:

 

[kzoo]

Look at reefbreeders , great lights for the price.

 

[zombiereefer]

i added a maxspect razor 120w to 45 gal cube. i went to a local guys house and he had 2 160w fixtures on the outside and 2 120w fixtures in the center. they were front to back. and WOW. his anemones were exploding with growth and splitting. he sold me the biggest healthiest red bubble tipped i have ever seen for 20$. thats how fast these are splitting. also his sps had amazing colors and growth. he had extra fixtures and i bought one. for 420$ you can not beat this light. and i would recommend you get the 160w for your tank. which will cost you 460$. there isnt a better light for the money IMO. its hard to even find people online complaining about these lights. and if they are its not about performance

 

[Stomatopod1701]

for a 75 a reefbreeder 48 would be perfect and you could grow anything you want, just be sure to start at low power and slowly amp up (you probably would not go past 70%) or you will fry your corals!

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

Watched some youtube vids of the maxspect razor....oh man those are some nice lights. I'd love a pair of those. Checking out the reefbreeders now....

 

[rocsec1]

I have two 24 protons from reef breeders over tank and love them
As a bonus I am getting ready to upgrade to a 120 and I can use the same fixtures over the new tank
I got them in a group buy and hey were $560

 

[RocketEngineer]

I like the BuildMyLED fixtures myself. A 12000K and an actinic on separate dimmers should be plenty for a 75g tank. While it may be a little more expensive, I like them over the other fixtures I have seen. A sealed fixture, linear design, different beam angle selections based on mounting height, and MADE IN THE USA! Check them out.

 

[smiz]

I just got the same tank and will either be designing my own light or doing two reedbreeder value fixtures.

 

[jda]

What kind of SPS tank are you look for... get some sticks and play around, or TOTM type of SPS reef?

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

At first I'm going to take it slow with some monti caps or simple branching SPS but eventually, ya, I'd like some crazy TOTM SPS stuff

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

Looks like they don't make the maxspect razor in a 48 inch. I think the biggest fixture is 27' long. Would that be big enough for a 75? I can't really put 2 side by side since they would be hanging over the edges of my tank 3 inches on each side then. To be honest, not a huge fan of the reefbreeders lights. Thoughts on this?

 

[jda]

Read up. Check out some of the long term SPS LED user's posts and read up on the TOTMs. Some of the long term SPS users of LED are supplementing with T5 or MH again, or just flat out going with T5 or MH and using the LEDs as expensive blue lights because they are not happy for different reasons. Some are still happy. Check out their issues and see how you might feel about them if you want to get really into this.

 

[tdb320reef]

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Having been a led user for 2 years for the most part I have been happy with the performance, cost savings, and reduction in total cost of ownership.

As I became more technical and granular in my objective and scope I found that I reached the edge of what I thank leds can do for me specifically with SPS color.

So I don't think that there is any one answer but what I would suggest is do requirement gathering and identify your short term and long term objectives.

I you are running a softie, lps, and sps you will be happy with LEDS. If you become a obsessed SPS nut like I did you will reach a certain limitation which will have you looking for alternatives after taking the LED plunge. It all comes down to your objectives and long term goals.

When it comes to purchasing a LED fixture - the most expensive is not the best. I personally look at the value fixtures because of significant changes to the fixtures eventually lends to you perchasing yesterdays technology so why spend all that money for TOTLine. I learned my lesson when I dropped 1600 on 4 fixtures that barley lit my 300 gallon tank.

 

[jda]

If you want to get hard core into SPS, then I might suggest that you also consider 150W HQI Metal Halides along with your LED consideration. They are really good with SPS, stay cool as long as you don't have a closed up hood or anything and are pretty low wattage for a good light. A high quality bulb, like a Phoenix 14K, will only need to be changed ever 2 years, or so.

I personally think that they will deliver better high end results than any LED out today, but others will disagree. They are a great light for a 75G tank that is not too deep.

This is an example of a fixture like I am talking about:
http://www.aqua-medic.com/product/ocean-light-2x150w/

You can get them with a few T5, if you want them for dusk/dawn (the coral will be fine with just the HQI), for a bit more:
http://www.aqua-medic.com/product/ocean-light-plus-2x150w-2x54w-t5/

 

[power boat jim]

I like the BuildMyLED fixtures myself. A 12000K and an actinic on separate dimmers should be plenty for a 75g tank. While it may be a little more expensive, I like them over the other fixtures I have seen. A sealed fixture, linear design, different beam angle selections based on mounting height, and MADE IN THE USA! Check them out.

Have two full spectrum units over my tank with AI blues. The Buildmyleds are excellent and they will talk you through the build /purchase process. My tank is 100% LED and needs no supplimentation from other light sources.

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

thanks for the suggestions guys, keep them coming. Still doing a bunch of research. I might just suck it up and shell out the money to get 2 of the 20.5" maxspect razor fixtures. Only annoying part is I don't think u can get 160w in that size, only the 120w. And of course there's the cost...

Still on the hunt for a fixture that will cover my 75 gallon tank, allow for good SPS growth, and cost $600 or less.

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

If I could get away with one razor 160w fixture for the whole tank I would pull the trigger...but can't decide if that's enough lighting for a 75 that's 48" long

 

[oceanlife83]

That should be plenty for 75 maxspect suggested 160 & 120 for my 120 gallon

 

[Badfish_Reefer]

ya, and it looks like the legs on the fixture can extend to 48". My one concern is that the way my scape is, I have 2 large rock formation islands on either side of the tank with the middle being more empty for the fish to swim around. So, the fixture would be over this center part of the tank where there's no coral growing, and the portions of the tank it isn't over is where all my coral is...don't want to have to rescape the whole thing but maybe that's the best solution.

 

[liquidfunk]

I love my AI Vega modules, but if I was buying now I would by Hydra. Top of the line line for $400, features that kill and control on your computer (soon phone). Lovin em. I've had the Vega for about 10 months.