280 gallon, light advice

[Shluffer]

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. I figure it's a "large tank" so I would post here.

It's an in wall tank, so ascetics don't matter. 30 inches deep, 82 wide. Considering either two reefbreeders photon v2 32's or custom diy using my apex as the controller. Price is similar enough (hours spent wiring equals price differemce). Either way I may need to supplement with t5s later.

Does anyone have thoughts on which option is better?

 

[Shluffer]

And yes. I need to do something about the brown algae. Need a magnet scraper that will work with 3/4 inch acrylic. Mightymagnet is tempting, but the same price as a small skimmer.

 

[vetteguy53081]

72" t5 with at least 10 bulbs OR Two 32" Photons OR SB Reef lights and last but not least Two Kessil AP700 units.

 

[ca1ore]

When you say 30" deep ...... do you mean tall or front-to-back? I splurged on the MM for my tank and have been very pleased (mine is 1" acrylic).

 

[Shluffer]

30 inches tall.
Vetteguy - I'll look into the additional suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Shluffer]

Is there a difference btw the sb and reefbreeders? Seems like they are both height end chinese boxes?

The kessils. Are they that much better that they are worth the extra $800?

 

[User1]

I have a 30" Tall/Deep 210 gallon and went the route of DIY. I moved over a pair of Rapid LED multi-chips they no longer make which are extermly intense and mixed in four Blue Acro's. I have no issues reaching the bottom of the tank. I'm in a bit of a pickle though because I wanted to add two more Acro stars but he seems to be taking a break again so looking at other DIY multi - chip solutions with similar channel and colors.

If I was to go shrink wrap or off the shelf I'd probably look at the Gen 4's. Hard to argue with the success on the Coral Lab report not to mention the aquarium coral breading program in San Francisco. My only complaint with off the shelf products while a great build quality the price is just not user friendly.

 

[Shluffer]

I'm a bitbuesitant to go with the gen 4s. I would need 3, which is a little note than I want to spend. I was planning on building using the blue acro's, but the guy hasnt answered my emails. The single diod LEDs don't seem very different from the photons, except I like my lights further towards 20k. Diy would get.me closer, but I can get their with rb running lower on the white chanel. Not ideal, but would save a grand.

 

[User1]

I'm a bitbuesitant to go with the gen 4s. I would need 3, which is a little note than I want to spend. I was planning on building using the blue acro's, but the guy hasnt answered my emails. The single diod LEDs don't seem very different from the photons, except I like my lights further towards 20k. Diy would get.me closer, but I can get their with rb running lower on the white chanel. Not ideal, but would save a grand.

Blue Acro's are good, I have 4 now. He does seem to be offline or not taking orders like you said. I sent a email last week and usually get a response within 24 hours. Not the case this time. Could be busy with real job or family. Great guy and solid product. I just didn't order enough thus looking at other options. Like you said and my note above. I would go with the Gen 4's but the entry price point is scary once you factor in light, plus mounting, plus diffuser, etc. Out of hand if you want my opinion.

There was another 4 or 5 channel chip people are using but I can't remember what forum or thread. I'm still searching for it. If I find it I'll let you know. You can't go wrong with the Gen 4's though outside the price...

 

[lapin]

And yes. I need to do something about the brown algae. Need a magnet scraper that will work with 3/4 inch acrylic. Mightymagnet is tempting, but the same price as a small skimmer.

I use the mighty with the std pads. If you start getting coraline then use the algae scrubber net bag they sell. It is a pricey solution but I find it works without scratching the ... out of my tank. You kinda get what you pay for. Plus my tank us 5' x 5' x 3' deep. The only time a use a scrapper is near the sand bed. Its one of those with a soft plastic blade. I have it taped to a fiberglass driveway marker. I use it so I dont catch sand in my scrubber pads.

 

[Oldreefer44]

2 Orphek v4's would easily handle the depth and allow you to grow anything. anywhere in the tank.

 

[Shluffer]

Saf - Nano-box? I spoke with them. I spoke with them. They seem to feel strongly that the way to go is a hybrid T5-LED, and that LED exclusively ends up being less efficient as you need many LEDs. I'm ok with it being less efficient, just for not having to change bulbs. In any case, the chips are about 50 a pop, and I'm not sure how much tank area they cover.

OldReefer - Orphek seems like a strong option, but their fixtures cover (suggested) 30 x 24 or up to 39x27. Two would come up just short of my tank width.

My first choice is building something based on the blue-acros, but I'm worried that he drops off the face of the earth from time to time, and I won't be able to get what I need if I need to add / make changes. therefor I will likely go with either RB or Kessil AP700. DIY would require wiring 90+ bulbs. While it sounds like fun (I'm not kidding, it actually does), I don't have the time for it unless their is a very compelling reason. My chips would be almost the same as RB, and the price difference isn't enough to make it worth it. In the end, The advantage is I could run it off my APEX, but that advantage isn't compelling enough to make it worth it. The blue acros would be as much wiring, so at that point I would go for it.

 

[User1]

@Shluffer - yes, it was Nano-box. They have a v3.1 multi-channel chip for 40 bucks. I'm going to build out a parts list and see what it runs me. 180 for lights, driver not sure if I'll use theirs or others. In any case I'll set $250 for my limit. If I can come under that then I'll place an order. There is one other 5 channel chip but it is higher price coming in a tick over $100 each but has more LED's on the board.

 

[Shluffer]

I decided to go with ReefBreeders. My thinking is that it gives me a reasonable starting point (preorder discount got me in at 950 including the "link kit" for connecting the two lights together). Once I see what it looks like, I'll probably supplement with either DIY LED to turn it more "blue" or t5ho. It won't use my APEX as the controller, but I can live with it.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Saf - Nano-box? I spoke with them. I spoke with them. They seem to feel strongly that the way to go is a hybrid T5-LED, and that LED exclusively ends up being less efficient as you need many LEDs. I'm ok with it being less efficient, just for not having to change bulbs. In any case, the chips are about 50 a pop, and I'm not sure how much tank area they cover.

OldReefer - Orphek seems like a strong option, but their fixtures cover (suggested) 30 x 24 or up to 39x27. Two would come up just short of my tank width.

My first choice is building something based on the blue-acros, but I'm worried that he drops off the face of the earth from time to time, and I won't be able to get what I need if I need to add / make changes. therefor I will likely go with either RB or Kessil AP700. DIY would require wiring 90+ bulbs. While it sounds like fun (I'm not kidding, it actually does), I don't have the time for it unless their is a very compelling reason. My chips would be almost the same as RB, and the price difference isn't enough to make it worth it. In the end, The advantage is I could run it off my APEX, but that advantage isn't compelling enough to make it worth it. The blue acros would be as much wiring, so at that point I would go for it.

Have 2 on my 72 inch tank with lots of overlapping light. Growing sps at both ends quite easily.