Recommendations for lps sps

[smellsfishy90]

Hello,

i am am not going to set a budget for this because I would like to know what people recommend without basing it on money. I have a 40 x 18 x 24 (lxdxh) tank. I am looking to keep sps and lps corals. What lights would you recommend? Will having 2 x xr15w pro be enough or do I need 2 x xr30w? Or is there a completely other brand that would be superior? Looking only for led.
just looking for your guys opinions. Thanks

 

[Bpb]

Definitely the 30s. Or keep the 15s and add 4 T5HO supplements. Come to think of it. If I were you I'd do that. Combo lighting

 

[Nrupaw]

overall i'd recommend Led+T5 combo.

If you go with just LEDs, then 2 x xr30w would work out. Or you could do 3 xr15 w. might be a little cheaper... wouldn't hurt because your tank is 18 deep. I think 2 xr30w pro is almost $1500. 3 xr15's would be $1200

 

[toky916]

Or hydra 52 I would compare that 400w MH I had way more UV and Xr30 more to a 250w MH fixture.

I'm not sure why everyone just looks at radion when led. Both are the same company now.

 

[AdamNC]

If we're talking LED fixtures only,
Radions for high end budget
Maxspect or AI for medium end budget
DIY for low end budget

FWIW I've been using the Maxspect for about a year and still very satisfied with it.

 

[Nrupaw]

Yeah i agree with adam above. if your hearts not set on the Radions, then Maxspect would be a good option.

I have used them personally.... they work great for zoas and lps. Decent with SPS. pretty powerful too

 

[smellsfishy90]

Thanks for all the information guys.
I gather it is just a matter of personal preference when it comes to this type of discussion then.
So many people I ask say different things, but when it comes to a light unit it is each for there own.
Does anyone know if 2 xr15w pro would be enough for a 40x18x24? or like nrupaw said, is 3 the answer?

 

[Nrupaw]

Thanks for all the information guys.
I gather it is just a matter of personal preference when it comes to this type of discussion then.
So many people I ask say different things, but when it comes to a light unit it is each for there own.
Does anyone know if 2 xr15w pro would be enough for a 40x18x24? or like nrupaw said, is 3 the answer?

IMO 2 xr15w's will cover a 40 inch long tank, their spread is pretty decent. the center and edges of the tank might be a tad dim but you can raise the lights up higher to get more spread.

the positive thing you got going is your tank's 18 inches deep. so that coverage will be there.

What you can always do is you can always start with 2 15's and then down the stretch get the 3rd one. they usually get a 10% sale on thanksgiving. get the 3rd one then

 

[hart24601]

I think hydra 26s would be perfect for that size. I would use 3 of them. I like they are two clusters so you have a bit more spread and can mount them perpendicular to the sides of the tank like I I I.

 

[hart24601]

Here is a PAR map for my hydra 26 lit 120 - the corals are much larger now though. I am using 5 of them for the tank width:

 

[Nrupaw]

I think hydra 26s would be perfect for that size. I would use 3 of them. I like they are two clusters so you have a bit more spread and can mount them perpendicular to the sides of the tank like I I I.

I agree with hart, hydra 26's are little bit more affordable and you'd be able to get 3 of them and have excellent coverage

 

[smellsfishy90]

Me again,

Have has some good help in this thread and just have another question instead of creating a new thread.

I have been offered a Maxspect razor 160w from a work colleague for a good price so this has swayed me a little bit now.

My problem is that I have a 40" tank and I am unsure this will give me full coverage spanning across to the edges.

Is it possible to link up a 160w and a 60w (nano) with a bar connector and will it still be able to fit my 40" length?

Thanks in advance, Joe

 

[Nrupaw]

Me again,

Have has some good help in this thread and just have another question instead of creating a new thread.

I have been offered a Maxspect razor 160w from a work colleague for a good price so this has swayed me a little bit now.

My problem is that I have a 40" tank and I am unsure this will give me full coverage spanning across to the edges.

Is it possible to link up a 160w and a 60w (nano) with a bar connector and will it still be able to fit my 40" length?

Thanks in advance, Joe

great. you'll like the Razor. i have used it. how long is the one you are getting.

I think you can connect 2 razors together. i have never had to do it so am unsure. hopefully others chime in.

 

[Perth_reefer]

Hello,

i am am not going to set a budget for this because I would like to know what people recommend without basing it on money.

If you're not setting a budget and you want an answer not based on money then an LED/T5 Hybrid is probably making the most waves in the market at the moment, all the advantages of LED and T5 in one unit......the only disadvantage, they're damn expensive!!

If we're talking LED fixtures only,
Radions for high end budget
Maxspect or AI for medium end budget
DIY for low end budget

FWIW I've been using the Maxspect for about a year and still very satisfied with it.

I agree with Adam except that if we're talking about LED results and not budget I'd go:-

Giesemann Aurora Hybrid/ATI Powermodule for best results
Radions/AI 52/26/ maybe Kessils for good results
Maxspect for decent results
and I'd leave the DIY/Chinese eBay lights for your Christmas tree!

 

[DocHogan]

Me again,

Have has some good help in this thread and just have another question instead of creating a new thread.

I have been offered a Maxspect razor 160w from a work colleague for a good price so this has swayed me a little bit now.

My problem is that I have a 40" tank and I am unsure this will give me full coverage spanning across to the edges.

Is it possible to link up a 160w and a 60w (nano) with a bar connector and will it still be able to fit my 40" length?

Thanks in advance, Joe

Yes you can use just the one fixture if your willing to hang it up a bit higher. I used one for over a year on a 75 but it was raised. You could also use the legs that come with the fixture but you will have a slight shadowing effect in the corners.

 

[smellsfishy90]

If you're not setting a budget and you want an answer not based on money then an LED/T5 Hybrid is probably making the most waves in the market at the moment, all the advantages of LED and T5 in one unit......the only disadvantage, they're damn expensive!!



I agree with Adam except that if we're talking about LED results and not budget I'd go:-

Giesemann Aurora Hybrid/ATI Powermodule for best results
Radions/AI 52/26/ maybe Kessils for good results
Maxspect for decent results
and I'd leave the DIY/Chinese eBay lights for your Christmas tree!

Hi,

These hybrid fixtures do look really good. I have been over every tank of the month imaginable and alot are using the hybrid method, which really does go to show that that is where the best results come form.
I know I said i am not basing this on money but when it comes to paying out for a hybrid I simply cant afford it
But one day I will have one hopefully

 

[Perth_reefer]

Hi,

These hybrid fixtures do look really good. I have been over every tank of the month imaginable and alot are using the hybrid method, which really does go to show that that is where the best results come form.
I know I said i am not basing this on money but when it comes to paying out for a hybrid I simply cant afford it
But one day I will have one hopefully

You could always buy a decent LED unit and supplement it with T5s. It depends on what you're looking to achieve but if you can pick up some second hand Hydra52s or Radions and put T5s with them then you'd have an awesome setup. It also depends on how you want the outside of your tank to look. I like all my equipment to look clean and modern, especially my lighting and tank as they're on show but some people don't seem to mind having a train wreck of a lighting system hanging above their tank!

 

[KingTriton1]

All depends on the setup IMO.

Do you have a canopy? As T5s tend to have a lot of glare (especially if your short )
Do you have this in a high traffic area? Same as above
Is this mainly SPS or LPS? I like having T5s for my SPS

With LED I would choose two Radion xr30w (regulars)
With T5 I choose ATI Sunpower 6x39W (I would maybe include a Reef Brite Led that attaches to the ATI fixture as well just for the morning/night)

 

[hart24601]

I still say hydra 26 FTW! Along with the PAR map I posted here is some acro growth and color. Not quite 6 months between pics:

 

[Buzz1329]

I'm sure all the other lights recommended are great but check out the Reef Breeders Photon 32.

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-32/

It's a great light, has all the bells and whistles, great power/spectrum/controller, etc.

But what sets it apart from the others is the service.

We all do stupid things with our lights. Well at least I do. Dip an end of it in the DT? Break off some of the lenses? The thing is that Reef Breeders repairs my fixtures, with no questions asked other than, now what did you do, you [insert politically correct term for moron]. RB is a U.S. company so no need for international shipping to get service.

And RB repairs the fixture quickly. As though RB knows that my SPS are shrinking even as we ship. I'm still within the two year warranty period so there's no charge for anything, including shipping.

Good luck,

Mike