SPS Reef Tank Lighting Poll for $1500

[layer3switchguy]

Folks,

I'm nearing the end of the useful life I have with my current T5 fixture over my SPS dominate tank. I have about a budget of $1500 to purchase a new lighting system, and would love some advice.

My tank is an Oceanic Tech 120g 48"x24"x24" that is primarily SPS.

Poll is attached, and would love some advice. What would you do, and why??

Thanks!
L3

 

[tkeracer619]

poll is not showing up

 

[layer3switchguy]

How about now? Thanks!

 

[tkeracer619]

Yup its working now.

My vote is for halides BUT I would hang on for a bit and see if anyone with your size tank is growing sps under two radions. I would go that way if its good to go.

 

[Misled]

Halide here also. Though I still use VHO actinics. I still don't think IMPO the T5's have as nice of a color.

 

[C Dog]

Why not a DIY LED?

 

[matt_longview]

I'd go with Orphek or Kessil LEDs.

AI and the Radions both simply use CREE LEDs. I'd build a DIY fixture using those same LEDs if I were going that route.

Someone could likely even build them for you and you would still save money and have the same leds driven by the same drivers.

So I voted for other. Although I do think that leds are best, energy savings and bulb replacement = money!

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

I'd go with Orphek or Kessil LEDs.

AI and the Radions both simply use CREE LEDs. I'd build a DIY fixture using those same LEDs if I were going that route.

Someone could likely even build them for you and you would still save money and have the same leds driven by the same drivers.

So I voted for other. Although I do think that leds are best, energy savings and bulb replacement = money!

+1

Though it can be hit or miss... some people grow lots, while others see no growth. You just have to do your research.

 

[doggydoc]

AI plus T5

 

[t4zalews]

My vote is 2x250w radiums in either lumenmax or lumenbright reflectors with some T5's for actinics...I love this combo, be cheaper than 1500 too

 

[fishgate]

While not dead, everything accept LED is dying. Perfect color control, stability for the useful life of the bulb, and bulbs lasting 5-10 years plus. I can see 3-5 years from now lighting will not be the big expense it is now, LED will be mainstream, and a much higher adoption rate amongst aquarium enthusiasts. The only thing holding it back now is price.

I equate this to digital photography killing film. I also at about the same point in its lifetime said that in 3-5 years film would be dead. It was.

 

[C Dog]

"metal Halide/T5 Combo - Energy hog, but the only way to grow colorful SPS"

Look around at some LED builds. LEDs grow SPS just as good as MH. I switched from MH to LEDs. I like the LEDs better.

 

[James77]

I switched from halides to LEDs....and went right back to halides. The coral like the light far better IME, and the light looks better. I would ditch the T5 and do LED actinincs though, they pop more than T5 or VHOs do.

 

[layer3switchguy]

My vote is 2x250w radiums in either lumenmax or lumenbright reflectors with some T5's for actinics...I love this combo, be cheaper than 1500 too

Thanks... Any advice on how to build something like this that looks nice and clean? I don't have a hood/canopy over my tank, so need something that looks good. Maybe an all-in-one fixture?

Would love to have the fixture be cheaper than $1500, and if I go MH/T5 (I'm leabing toward it) I would go 20K Radiums for sure.

 

[n0rk]

My vote is 2x250w radiums in either lumenmax or lumenbright reflectors with some T5's for actinics...I love this combo, be cheaper than 1500 too

This. Or, 8x54W Powermodule. Either way you're going to have more than enough light and colourful SPS everywhere (providing everything else is sorted).

 

[cediss]

MH is clearly the proven lighting with regard to coral growth and that's a good reason to choose it.
Personally the monthly bill from the MH, chiller and the bulbs needing to be changed every 6-12 months was not tolerable. I've done the DIY CREE conversion on my 48"x24"x24" and love it. Growth is descent and I suspect as we mix in more LEDs we will match MH performance. It took 10 years before there was a consensus on which halides were the best for growth and aesthetics. You could put together a sweet DIY LED system for well under $1000 and still be able to upgrade as the technology improves.

 

[karsseboom]

My vote is radiums, they are by far the most proven way to grow sps.

 

[rtparty]

2 Ecoxotic Panorama PRO fixtures. It will be right around $1000 for two of them and you will have a completely modular unit that you can add and subtract as you see fit.

They have a ton of choices for spectrum and are a great company.

I am using 1 Panorama Module and 3 Stunners strips over my 24g tank and things look good. I went with the Stunners for dusk/dawn and two modules was just too much on this tank. They are plenty bright for anything you throw at them.

That is my vote.

 

[reefsurfing]

I switched from halides to LEDs....and went right back to halides. The coral like the light far better IME, and the light looks better. I would ditch the T5 and do LED actinincs though, they pop more than T5 or VHOs do.

James, I was ready to do the same but then I tried the radions from ecotech, pretty unbelievable. The colors that show in the corals are the best I have seen even better than my T5 ATI. This is obviously a short term observation but they seem extremely even in their coverage and are great aesthetically.

Folks, my wife hates everything I buy (fish related) and today she said those lights were worth every penny.

 

[raskal311]

T5 LED combo.