Another Lighting Question - Geisemann Vs

[Jongalt26]

Wow black friday deals, was not expecting to buy new lights yet but the deals are too good to pass up.

Tank: 60x24x24 mixed reef, mainly LPS with a lot of acans at this time. My research has shown that acans do best with T-5's hence the desire to upgrade.

Currently i run two reefbreeder v2's. They've done well but i need new lights for an upcoming fowlr build so I figured i'd move those over and upgrade the lights for my mixed reef.

Option 1: This is the one i am leaning most towards right now. 8 bulb 48" Bluetooth Dimmable MATRIXX II T5 Fixture + actinic reefbrite strip ~$1,250. Plus i like the fact that i don't have to balance the spectrum out and this is the least expensive (at least in the short term)

Option 2: Two ecotech Radion Pro G4's (possibly add 3rd in the future) with retrofit Giesemann T-5 fixture (2 bulbs) ~1,800 . The nice thing with this set-up is i could buy the T-5 fixture now and just hold off on the LED's until i get the FOWLR re-built this spring


So what do ya'll think? what are your recommendations?
Thanks!
Jason

 

[Meccaman96]

Whos jon galt? Love it

 

[Anirban]

Get a ATI T5 led power module it will be a good combo and cheaper than your 3rd or 4th options.

 

[Jongalt26]

I'll look into it.

 

[Jongalt26]

Can a mod move this to the equipment and lighting forum, I didn't realize I posted this here.

 

[Broadfield]

If you are digging the Giesemann fixture, then why not get the Giesemann Aurora? It's more expensive than the ATI, but it has a far better LED section and is far better looking(matter of opinion I guess). The ATI has slightly better T5 reflectors, but not enough that it should sway your decision. I have a 48" Aurora over my mixed reed of 60"x22"x20"... so pretty close to yours.

IMG_4278 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

 

[Jongalt26]

Oh I've read the aurora thread you posted in back in Sept / Oct, absolutely stunning tank BTW. I definitely prefer giesemann over ATI and the Aurora was definitely one of the options I was considering. The sale this week is awesome as well. I was also waiting to see the Genesis but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a release date available yet.

My reasoning for removing it as an option is that I would think if it's better to go primary led then ecotech would be better for leds and I could get the giesemann retrofit 2 bulb t5. if I wanted to go primary t5 then the 6 bulb dimmable fixture would be better and I could add in the actinic reefbrite strip.

For some time now I've been having a very hard time deciding and i need to decide quick due to the sales.

 

[Jongalt26]

If you are digging the Giesemann fixture, then why not get the Giesemann Aurora? It's more expensive than the ATI, but it has a far better LED section and is far better looking(matter of opinion I guess). The ATI has slightly better T5 reflectors, but not enough that it should sway your decision. I have a 48" Aurora over my mixed reed of 60"x22"x20"... so pretty close to yours.

IMG_4278 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Toby, after more thought I'm thinking I should just order the aurora tonight. is the color pop comparable to radion's?

 

[Broadfield]

Toby, after more thought I'm thinking I should just order the aurora tonight. is the color pop comparable to radion's?

With the combination of T5s and LED, you can make it look just about any way you want. However, it's the white section of the LED that I give the nod to the Radion. The Radion uses 8 cool white and just a couple of warm white. The Aurora uses a full spectrum white... which may be better for coral growth, but I don't like the look of it as much. Regardless, I never run my whites more that 30% of what the blues are any way, so it's really not an issue. I will say that only owning LED's over the past few years, it did take time to get use to the T5s and trying to dial in a nice color that I liked. But I'm loving it at this point!

 

[Jongalt26]

Thanks for getting back to me! I got home last night after traveling, went to order the Aurora and sadly it was out of stock.
Sounds good on the whites, they arent as important to me anyways.
Thanks again.
Jason