We are so confused LEDS

[hertz4319]

Hi all,



We are in the process of setting up our tank. We have a 215 gal tank consisting of the following 72"L x 30"H x 24"W. So we have been doing research about which leds system (brand I should buy). Money is always a concern. However there are certain items we do not want to skimp on.



We are looking for LEDS to do the best for the tank. We plan on eventually doing a full reef tank we do not want to be limited by lighting. We are not interested in all the fancy features and do not need the latest and greatest. We want something that will allow the tank to flourish. The coral do not need to grow super fast just grow and not die.



So without further ado. Suggestions and why. Thank you in advance for your help.



Stewart

 

[DavidinGA]

Two reef breeders photon 32's.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Honestly there are lots of LEDs out there that are perfectly fine, Kessil, AI, Radion, Maxspect, etc. When it often comes down to is those features you said you didn't want, how many of them do you really want? I'm talking simple features too, like timers to ramp up/ramp down the lights automatically as opposed to off/on only states. etc.

 

[dave.m]

Another factor you will have to make a decision on is whether you are satisfied to stick with soft corals and LPS or are you planning on SPS, which have much stricter light requirements. You can generally get away with less power and fewer features with softies and LPS, but SPS will demand much more power and consistency of spectrum from your LEDs.

If budget is a concern and you don't care too much you could stick with the soft stuff and have a perfectly beautiful aquarium, but you must decide what it is that is driving your passion for a reef tank as your choice of invertebrates will also dictate the kinds of fish you can keep with them.

Dave.M

 

[Hodge1995]

I was on the fence with the same problem for a long time. I finally found these and am totally sold. Check out this thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338097

 

[hertz4319]

Another factor you will have to make a decision on is whether you are satisfied to stick with soft corals and LPS or are you planning on SPS, which have much stricter light requirements. You can generally get away with less power and fewer features with softies and LPS, but SPS will demand much more power and consistency of spectrum from your LEDs.

If budget is a concern and you don't care too much you could stick with the soft stuff and have a perfectly beautiful aquarium, but you must decide what it is that is driving your passion for a reef tank as your choice of invertebrates will also dictate the kinds of fish you can keep with them.

Dave.M

Thank you all so far I am learning more. Which seems to be what I do everyday with this "hobby".

In asnswering your question I know we can go with the cheapest and turn around and sell them as we add more demanding life to our tank. My partner and I have decided that we want lights that can grow with us . At this point we do not even have water in the tank so we do not know what direction we will go. However, we do not want to be limit by the system. Hence we got a great skimmer and a fairly large tank. Again thanks for you response. Stewart

 

[hertz4319]

I was on the fence with the same problem for a long time. I finally found these and am totally sold. Check out this thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2338097

I started reading the thread and it is long. I will have to read it tonight after work. Did you get these lights if so how are they working for you? Also how long did it take to ship and arrive. Thanks Stewart

 

[SloppyJ]

I'm not familiar with the tank you mention. Does it have braces? The best advice I can give is to go with a quality unit upfront. It costs more but you know you have something to grow into. You could start with 3 units. I'd go with the Radion gen 3 or the Hydra 52.

 

[sfsuphysics]

have decided that we want lights that can grow with us . At this point we do not even have water in the tank so we do not know what direction we will go. However, we do not want to be limit by the system.

Well the problem is there really are no lights that will "grow with you", while yeah a couple do have upgrade paths, but the reality is you're probably better off just getting more lights.

For the "I don't yet know, but don't want to be limited" direction, I might look at the Kessil units. They're small and compact, if you find you don't have enough light you can add more of them without much effort due to their size, and they're probably considered to be on the more inexpensive side of things if you exclude the "cheaper" fixtures.

Awesome (or not so depending upon your view point) by the time you do get your tank filled with water and everything set up you might have different choices for LEDs But until you figure out what exactly you're going to do with your tank I wouldn't buy any lighting, I don't mean corals either, do you plan on having an open top, a fancy canopy with lots of room? A low fitting canopy to match furnature in the room, etc...

 

[hertz4319]

Well the problem is there really are no lights that will "grow with you", while yeah a couple do have upgrade paths, but the reality is you're probably better off just getting more lights.

For the "I don't yet know, but don't want to be limited" direction, I might look at the Kessil units. They're small and compact, if you find you don't have enough light you can add more of them without much effort due to their size, and they're probably considered to be on the more inexpensive side of things if you exclude the "cheaper" fixtures.

Awesome (or not so depending upon your view point) by the time you do get your tank filled with water and everything set up you might have different choices for LEDs But until you figure out what exactly you're going to do with your tank I wouldn't buy any lighting, I don't mean corals either, do you plan on having an open top, a fancy canopy with lots of room? A low fitting canopy to match furnature in the room, etc...

Mike,

Thank you for taking some much time to answer my thread. I do appeciate it. We are planing to start cycling the tank in about two weeks. We are working on getting some rock in the it. So I am guessing in a bout 6 to 8 weeks we will have some fish. Then sometime after that coral. I am not putting any hard and fast time frames on things . I have read and want to go slow with this. Again thank you for all your input. To answer your question there is a canopy. Stewart

 

[benjc]

If you don't want all the fancy features, but only something capable of growing all types of corals, I second the Reefbreeders recommendation.

 

[hertz4319]

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate all of your input. Stewart

 

[Dmorty217]

I have owned a lot of LEDs on the market and if it were me I would go with RapidLED, either their fixture or a DIY kit. It's the best bang for your buck and I have a buddy who did one of the first DIY kits from them on his 375g sps tank (with only blue and whites) and has great growth and the LEDs are well past there couple yr life

 

[dave.m]

and the LEDs are well past there couple yr life

LEDs are expected to maintain their power and spectrum for at least ten years if not longer (they haven't really been around long enough to prove this yet). I'm not sure where you saw this "couple yr life" figure (?).

Dave.M