User Experience Request - Help me weed through LED Choices

[burton14e7]

Good day, I've decided to get back into the hobby after a six year break. I've been having a blast researching what's new and also to see what people are doing to come up with my equipment list. I've chosen the Red Sea Reefer 250 as my new tank, not too big and not too small. Unfortunately it's 36" long which doesn't really mesh well with most lights optimal spread being 24" x 24". What I'm looking for in this thread is some feedback from those of you that have the below fixtures on pro's and con's to aide me in making my decision. If I've missed some fixtures go ahead and let me know but keep in mind my requirements.

In my mind I've already ruled out the Hydra 52 HD because to tank mount it, it has to be perpendicular which I'm sure won't cover the spread. Maybe I'm wrong so correct me if I am. I've also half way ruled out the AP700 because it can currently only be controlled with a tablet, I have neither an Ipad nor Android tablet.

I'm currently leaning towards option 4.

Requirements:
Cover 36" wide spread
SPS dominant tank
Has to be mounted on the tank(not hung)
Total cost under 1k

Options:
1) 1 x Maxspect 27 Inch Razor 15,000K LED Light Fixture - 180 Watt $510.00

2) 1 x EcoTech Radion XR30w G3 Pro LED Light Fixture
EcoTech Marine RMS XR30 Tank Mount Kit $848.00

3) 1 x AP700 LED Lighting Panel - Kessil
A-Series Mounting Arm - Kessil $960.00

4) 2 x EcoTech Radion XR15w Pro LED Light Fixture
2 x EcoTech Marine RMS Radion Mounting System $976.00

5) 2 x Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED
2 x Kessil A Series Gooseneck
Kessil Spectral Controller
$647.00

6) 1 x Hydra FiftyTwo HD - Black Body
12" AI Silver EXT Rail
Aqua Illumination 48" EXT Tank Mount $695.00


Proposed setup:
Tank: Reefer 250 Complete System (54 Gal) - Red Sea
Width Flow: VorTech MP40wQD QuietDrive Propeller Pump - EcoTech Marine
Depth Flow: 2 x VorTech MP10wQD QuietDrive Propeller Pump - EcoTech Marine
Return: Vectra M1 DC - Ecotech Marine
Lights: 2 x EcoTech Radion XR15w Pro LED Light Fixture
Export: Reef Octopus BioChurn 120INT Biopellet Reactor
Skimmer: NYOS Quantum 120 Protein Skimmer

 

[vhuang168]

Don't rule out the Hydra 52 just because you can't mount it parallel to the tank, because you can!

http://www.reeflightmounts.com/hydra-26-mount-hydra-52-mount.htm

I use this mount on my 40g and I'm only running 1 Hydra 52

 

[burton14e7]

Ah very cool!! Thanks for that link.

 

[gus6464]

AP700 by far. Will have the best spread out of all the options listed by a mile.

Every other option will give you tons of shadowing. Watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7XLgLiA0PM

 

[burton14e7]

I really want to go the ap700 route, it was my first choice until further research uncovered the tablet only requirement. If they release their controller software on iOS or android mobile I might get it but it seems silly to me to buy a tablet I don't need just for the light. You would think my 6" screen nexus 6 would count! I have a nexus 6p being delivered tomorrow so I'll check the play store to see if it will let me download the beta app but right now it won't let me download it.

 

[Toby_Kourtney]

I've always been a fan of buildmyled. They mount directly onto your tank. The color blending is on point and the shimmer isn't overdone. They are built in Texas and come with a 3 year warranty.

 

[Greybeard]

Suggest you include Aquaticlife Halo in your review...

1 Deluxe (built in controller) $349 + 1 Basic $299, + 2x Mount arms @ $59 = $766

Not as popular as some of the other options, but I really like mine. Gives you a very clean look.

 

[burton14e7]

Thanks, I'll research the halos. Do they Daisy chain? I'm curious why you suggest one deluxe and one basic.

 

[burton14e7]

For the buildmyled's they look kind of thin. Do you just get a certain angle lenses or get two?

 

[Toby_Kourtney]

Yea you would get 2 and still be well within the price range of your other choices. I used the 90 degree lense.

 

[csmolins89]

Don't rule out the Hydra 52 just because you can't mount it parallel to the tank, because you can!

http://www.reeflightmounts.com/hydra-26-mount-hydra-52-mount.htm

I use this mount on my 40g and I'm only running 1 Hydra 52

I am looking to buy a couple of these mounts for my new tank, what are your thoughts on them?

 

[Wazzel]

Go with two hydra26's instead of the 52. 36" is going to be to much to get good coverage.

 

[vhuang168]

I am looking to buy a couple of these mounts for my new tank, what are your thoughts on them?

Love the mount. Wires are hidden very well, sturdy and height adjustable.

I'm waiting on 2 he is making for the Kessil AP700s.

 

[burton14e7]

This is the mount I'm going with for my ap700 when I get it.

http://www.careefco.com/goods/kr2

 

[vhuang168]

I'm waiting on these for mine.

http://www.6061.com/Kessil_AP700.htm

 

[burton14e7]

Those look clean. Do you drill holes through the stand for that one?

 

[Sphack]

I've always been a fan of buildmyled. They mount directly onto your tank. The color blending is on point and the shimmer isn't overdone. They are built in Texas and come with a 3 year warranty.

I just found that they recently just closed their doors to the aquarium community. I have some of these for my freshwater tanks and am sad to see them leave.

 

[mfinn]

I'm a big fan of Radions, but your choice of a single gen 3 pro may not be the best for a 36" wide tank especially using the ETM brackets ( RMS).

I know people who use a single XR30 over a 36" wide tank, but they have their fixture in the 10" to 11" height range.
Also you would want to add the wide angle lens kit to the single Radion to get a better light spread.
IMO if you do like the Radions and the controls they have, you would be better off with 2 of the XR15 Pro's.

I can't answer to any of your other choices, I've only had the Radions.

Good luck.