Tank/lighting opinions wanted

[jpweber]

I have a 28 gallon JBJ HQI tank right now that is mostly SPS with a few LPS i am in the process of upgrading and need some help making a few decisions.

1st lighting: i am really wanting to go with the 36" Sol Super Blue 3xModule LED Light System w/ Controller, but im not sure its worth the extra money so i was thinking of 6 bulb ATI powermodule. Are the AI LED's as god as they sound? I know that over ten years the cost of t5 bulbs would make up the difference in price but thats a long time in.


2cnd tank: I am trying to decide between a 40 gallon breeder or a 50 gallon cube (24x24x20). Any opinions on those?

 

[Felixc395]

The AI sol's do seem to be pretty nice, absolutely no doubt about it. They are just pricey for an upfront cost, only downside. I've heard a variety of reviews about coral coloration though. The problem isn't intensity, it's covering the spectrum. But AI's are among the best, so this problem should be minimized. But that said, I'm still wary. I'd love to have LED's but to spend $2000 only to find that my corals' colors get washed out would be quite annoying.

That's why I think the ATI would be the way to go. Very tough call though. Both will work well, it just seems to be a gamble on the AI's. Both are proven well, but ATI has a better track record.

As far as tank size, that's all your decision. If you like the longer tanks go with the 40B, if you don't, go with the cube. Personally i would go 40B, but that's just me.

 

[Brian Chong]

I think led technology is still very new. I heard a few success stories with sps but not enough to trust it with my beloved acros. I dont like the way it looks either.
I have a 50 gallon rimless starphire cube. first tank was a regular 40 breeder. I like depth and its easier for me to control the type of flow i want and i liked the idea of being able to view it from all 3 sides. It all comes down to personal preference.

 

[Brian Chong]

My ideal tank size is 48Lx30Wx20 or 18H.

 

[jpweber]

Yea i think the AI's are going to end up being to costly to try out, i really like the idea of such low heat and energy though. I was trying to go the LED way mainly b/c im not crazy about the way fluorescents light the tank, have always used MH with t5/vho supplementation but wanted something with less heat. May end up back with MH now.

thanks for the opinions, deciding on lighting is the only thing holding me up on getting this tank up and running.