Another lighting question

[mpjmeyer]

Yes I'm sure there are many lighting threads but after starring at my computer screen for hours not getting the answer I want, I will just ask the experts on reef2reef.

I am building a 55 gallon saltwater tank in the wall that will consist of fish and corals. I am now looking for a good light for the coral growth. I ALMOST pulled the trigger on a Current USA orbit marine led light (not the pro) and cancelled the order when I found out there is no hanging kit option . When I tried to find one, I read that if it's any higher than it should be with the supplied brackets, it won't be powerful enough for corals.

A hanging kit is a 100% must in my case since I'm building it in the wall and wont have access to 1 of the side tops. I'd rather not have to rig an option to hang it but if I had to, I will but if there isn't a kit out there for the light, then obviously it isn't recommended.

I've also looked into the marine pro but the reviews seem to be 50/50 on it being a well designed and a good operating light. People say they received a defective light, some say theirs stopped working and others say they are great. However 3 out of 5 stars on most sights isn't comforting me enough to make that purchase.

So here's my dilemna:

Should I just go with the orbit marine led light and figure a way to hang it OR save the $$ for the Kessil AP700?

Can anybody justify spending 6X's the money for a light?

Other light suggestions are appreciated but again, must have the option to have a hanging kit.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

2 16in sbreeflights or mars aqua or reef brights, or photons.

you have to hang the 16in high for good coverage. the ap700 wont allow you the flexibility to higher light animals later if you want. Imo.

 

[cohlton]

What about ocean receive t247b? I've seen tons of great reviews and awesome tanks with them.

 

[themcnertney]

As I tend to suggest, don't cut corners on lighting. If you buy the cheaper fixture now, you will end up buying the better one in the future, basically throwing away your money.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Thank you for the suggestions so far. My favorite shortcut in life is doing things right the first time. So if it takes me a little longer to save the $$ for a better lighting that won't give me a headache, I will. The Mars Aqua and t247b look interesting so far. I'd have to get 2 each.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What about ocean receive t247b? I've seen tons of great reviews and awesome tanks with them.

yup good reviews.

As I tend to suggest, don't cut corners on lighting. If you buy the cheaper fixture now, you will end up buying the better one in the future, basically throwing away your money.

agreed. I dont think I cut corners on my SB.
the AP700 produced 35000 lux at 12in, thats around 500 to 700 par best case. the spread was AMAZING. but I woulndt try to grow ture highlight animals under it. The new maxspacts gave me 50,000 at the same distance but youd need 2 to cover it or three for high light.

Its all about the budget. Look into used fixtures as well. I picked up3 ai sol for my 55 and I cant turn them up all the way for fear of boiling the water.

 

[mpjmeyer]

The Maxspect R4z0r and Aqua Illumination Hydra 52 look nice too. I wonder how these would match up against the Kessil AP700? I would need 2 of the Hydra 52 units for my tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have one, the 20 in. more power than the ap. at the same height.
@mcarroll has the full size one.

what kind of livestock are you looking at? how high do you need it.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Haven't really narrowed the livestock down yet and the height will probably be around 10" or so. I'm much further in the build than the picture shows but here is an idea of the space I have to work with as well as the size of my tank. I still need to paint the back of the glass black and under the tank is my sump tank and refugium (not shown)

 

[themcnertney]

I have (3) hydra 52's over my 220 and love them

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have (3) hydra 52's over my 220 and love them

that's sweet.

 

[mpjmeyer]

How many Hydra 52's would you recommend for my tank?

 

[themcnertney]

Two would suffice.
Might even be able to get two 26's.
But if you ever wanted to upgrade tanks, you would have two nice 52 HD fixtures.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Can you control all 3 lights with the app at the same time or do you need to program each of them separately?

 

[themcnertney]

Their is one parent light and then children lights, so basically you are controlling one light and the others follow doing the same as the parent.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Nice looking tank!! So it looks like I'm between dual Hydra 26's or a single Kessil AP700. Only complaint I occasionally read on the Kessil is in regards to the shimmer effect. I emailed Aqua Illumination and they were very quick with a reply. They recommend dual 26's over dual 52's for my tank.

 

[mcarroll]

You want the Pro model if you want corals. It's a higher-powered version of your light, with lenses and a bit better colors. Pretty good deal too.

To do well with the non-Pro, you'd need at least one or two more fixtures.

I'm pretty sure neither Current nor your dealer are going to stick you with a defective light LOL.....so you can rule out those reviews.

 

[Tbabcock]

Im following along.. waiting to see how long it takes for him to cut a bigger hole in the wall. My first tank lasted a year and i wanted a bigger one.. lol

 

[mcarroll]

What are the actual dimensions of that tank, BTW? Could just be the perspective in the photo, but it doesn't look like a 55 to me.

If it is a 55 – as in 48" x 12" x 21"Tall – then the Orbit Pro is really the only light mentioned that would be decent for it, IMO. It can be raised sufficiently off the tank per the OP's preference, but still not blast the whole room with reef lighting.

Waiting on the actual dimensions now.

 

[mpjmeyer]

Yes it is a 55 gallon. 12.75"L x 48.25"W x 20.187"H The Kessil AP700 looks like a good light for what I need and I would only need 1