I"m looking for pics and suggestions, details and ramblings below
I have a 34g Solana going through its paces and I'm on the fence with the lighting. I have the stock disco ball (150w) over it right now. I have a 250w radium over my 30g cube that will be emptied to fill the Solana. The 250w is a DIY lumenarc mini holding a Radium, so it's less than attractive. I"m very happy with the color and output of the Radium on my other tank, but not happy with the looks of the fixture. I want something sleek and attractive...basically something that matches the look of a Solana and stand.
I'm not dissatisfied with the disco ball, but I'm concerned with the output. I will probably replace the bulb with a Phoenix 150w if I keep it. I keep a mixed reef that is mostly LPS and softies at the moment. I'll add some more montis and maybe some acros in the future. I do have a maxima clam and plan on more.
I"m not closed minded to LEDs, but I'm skeptical. I know there are plenty of people that have had buckets of success, but I can't say I'm thrilled with the low intensity of the AI nano I saw over a similar sized tank. The coral looked healthy, but it was just dim to they eye. I've read more and more comments saying that's the norm with LEDs and if so, no thanks. The kessil 'can' has my attention, but I'd need some confirmation that it doesn't suffer the same 'dimness' that I saw with the AI.
I would consider T5s, but I would need at least a 6 bulb 24" fixture for color reasons. I had a 36" TEK on my 40 breeder that was running and it was nice, but I really like the color of a Radium, especially when supplemented with actinics
Power isn't a concern, it must be a pendent, heat isn't an issue with the 150w, it must be below $250 (used or new is fine).
So show me, tell me, advise me...just help out somehow. I'm not really in a rush and open to suggestions
I have a 34g Solana going through its paces and I'm on the fence with the lighting. I have the stock disco ball (150w) over it right now. I have a 250w radium over my 30g cube that will be emptied to fill the Solana. The 250w is a DIY lumenarc mini holding a Radium, so it's less than attractive. I"m very happy with the color and output of the Radium on my other tank, but not happy with the looks of the fixture. I want something sleek and attractive...basically something that matches the look of a Solana and stand.
I'm not dissatisfied with the disco ball, but I'm concerned with the output. I will probably replace the bulb with a Phoenix 150w if I keep it. I keep a mixed reef that is mostly LPS and softies at the moment. I'll add some more montis and maybe some acros in the future. I do have a maxima clam and plan on more.
I"m not closed minded to LEDs, but I'm skeptical. I know there are plenty of people that have had buckets of success, but I can't say I'm thrilled with the low intensity of the AI nano I saw over a similar sized tank. The coral looked healthy, but it was just dim to they eye. I've read more and more comments saying that's the norm with LEDs and if so, no thanks. The kessil 'can' has my attention, but I'd need some confirmation that it doesn't suffer the same 'dimness' that I saw with the AI.
I would consider T5s, but I would need at least a 6 bulb 24" fixture for color reasons. I had a 36" TEK on my 40 breeder that was running and it was nice, but I really like the color of a Radium, especially when supplemented with actinics
Power isn't a concern, it must be a pendent, heat isn't an issue with the 150w, it must be below $250 (used or new is fine).
So show me, tell me, advise me...just help out somehow. I'm not really in a rush and open to suggestions
