That time for another I need new lights thread

[Bdial]

I need to replace all of my bulbs. Halides have been in since March running 5-8 hours a day. Sometimes more if company is over and the t5s have been in for atleast a year now I think. I had great growth with the Hamilton 20k bulbs but I like the look of the radiums. I think that one factor with the hamiltons success was the height difference in tanks. Went from 31" to 21".

Now here's what I'm thinking. I really like radiums and I really like the 20+K spectrum. I have a single 4ft actinic led strip for my early and late hours. I was running the two mh plus 2 4ft blue plus and coral plus. This is all over a six foot tank. I'm planning to get the radiums and the new t5s but I'm also gonna get maybe an aqua blue or purple plus just to play with colors a bit.

What I want to do is replace the halides with some LED panels. I was looking at the ocean revives or the reefbreeders. The reefbreeders would fit nicely between the t5s and I would be able to get 6ft of light instead of just four foot. So the tank would have more light. I just can't make up my mind on what I should do. Do you guys have any input? It would help with the electric bill a little bit too. I'm really pleased with how my tank is growing but I'm just not super happy with how it looks aesthetically.

Thanks

 

[jda]

Since you know what MH can do, it is not likely that you will like LED - you might, but it will be different in a way that not too many MH fans care for. I would go with the radiums if you have M80 ballasts or 20K hamilton if you do not.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

Ditched my mH's two years ago after 15 years of using them and went with Kessils. Tank has never looked better and power consumption/heat has dropped considerably. No bulb changes needed. The small size of the a360 would lend itself to fitting in amongst your t5's.
Just a thought....

edit: pics attached:




Mine is a mixed reef with sps stylo's/pocci's/birdsnest.... and love the Kessil shimmer. Went from 900watts of mH/t5 lighting to 180w of LED. (a360we ...90w x 2). Cut electrical use by almost 80% and heat by 95%. Was thinking of adding in t-5's myself ...but then said why bother as I am happy with the growth/progress/look of just Kessils. Many Kessil users supplement with t5 to combat shading...I have found it unnecessary.

 

[Bdial]

so you just have two kessils with your t5s? How high off the water are they and what size tank?

 

[ComforablyNumb]

Hi...I have had that as a Kessil-only tank for almost two years and the lamps are hanging about 8" or so from the surface of a 4ft tank. No supplemental lighting at all. I gradually ramp up intensity over first 3 hrs, run 6 hrs at 85% and ramp back down to 0 over three more hours... using their controller. Color gradually goes from 20,000k starting when the lights come on, to approx 12k - 14k (whiter), runs that color for 6 hrs, and then gradually back up to 20k as the lights ramp down in intensity.

Here is the color spectrum of their a360 at the various color settings. Notice how strong the blues stay throughout:



**edit: Oh...and where I am, WINTER IS HERE. Cheers.

 

[Orr2003]

PM sent

 

[Bdial]

That looks interesting. I may look into those. I could mount them in my current fixture which would be nice but the price hurts.

And yes. Winter is here. Lol. I need to change that I guess.