Best all around lighting??

ShawnSaucier · Mar 19, 2013

So I am in the process of a new tank build. The tank is 60"x30"x22". I have been running LEDs on my 75 for the last 18 months and as much as I like them, I still feel a bit of lacking. Colour morphs, sometimes bleaching because of placement, programming, ect... With the new tank I had originally planned on 3 Radion Pro's, but my heart is telling me to go T5/LED combo. What are your opinions on a programable T5/LED combo. Obviously when you add the price of the Radions+Contoller+ Battery Back-ups+ Hanging kits the price gets up there. Is there a all in one unit out there???

ShawnSaucier · Mar 19, 2013

I might want to add that I am looking at it being a mixed reef

Zack · Mar 19, 2013

Ati is getting ready to release A T5 LED combo, it'd supposed to be awesome!
I saw a sponsor post on here where they were taking pre-orders. As far as led/t5 combo goes I would say those are gonna be one of the best, if not the best. I'm pretty sure you can get four bulb or eight bulb.
So definitely check it out!
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Mhumbach · Mar 19, 2013

Theres really no lighting that fits every need they all have pros and cons. If I had a tank that size I would probably go with T5 just because the initial cost to set up plus you can still get nice color combinations with them. Youll have to remember that youll lose the LED shimmer your used to and have to replace the bulbs

ShawnSaucier · Mar 19, 2013

Thank you for your reply. I have seen only a little info on this ATI unit. Do you know where there is a spec sheet or full write up

ShawnSaucier · Mar 19, 2013

Mhumbach said:
Theres really no lighting that fits every need they all have pros and cons. If I had a tank that size I would probably go with T5 just because the initial cost to set up plus you can still get nice color combinations with them. Youll have to remember that youll lose the LED shimmer your used to and have to replace the bulbs

I could always add stunner strips or something for shimmer. Are there any programmable T5 units out there??

Sdoutreefer · Mar 20, 2013

What do you mean by programable? If youre wanting to customize spectrum, you can only do that with LEDs, if im not mistaken. If the T5 fixture has 2 switches/coords, they only way to 'program' is using timers. My friend has a Radion over his 40b and his entire tank loves them. He switched over from T5s and does not regret it at all. If I were you, Id go with LEDs if I were in your shoes. The cost of replacing bulbs isnt fun, AND Radions are fully customizable. A T5 supplement with the radion would be ideal, if you can figure out a way to do it. Just my 2 cents.

mcarroll · Mar 20, 2013

Seems like you're thinking with your heart instead of your head from reading your post. In case it helps to hear it, the downsides to LED you mention seem like the learning curve for you, not a fault or limit of the technology. Now that you've done the learning I wouldn't be so quick to give up all the advantages of LED lighting, especially if you've been otherwise happy with the results.

-Matt

P.S. Battery backup for lights....LOL. Spend that money on more supplies or coral, man! (Likewise I would probably opt for a less expensive light and do the same with that extra money too.)

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dankreef · Mar 20, 2013

Just got 8x80w sun power fixture t5 the way to go. I got mine for 645$ out door corals looking great. 200g stocked sps tank LEDs are a waste of money. Throw some type of strip up for the shimmer.

mike007 · Mar 20, 2013

I switched to leds 3 months ago and wow what a difference. Not only do my corals love them so does my pocket book. My electric bill has gone down about $30.00 a month. My advise is research each brand and don't go cheap.

mcarroll · Mar 20, 2013

DIY is the only (smart) way I think you can get off cheap.

My favorite simple DIY is to wire up GU10 sockets and make an alternating row of blue and white GU10 bulbs lined up right next to each other. One row for each 12" of tank width. (I.e. a 55 gallon tank would take one row, a 120 gallon two rows). They're good for at least 20" of water depth with their standard lenses positioned about a foot off the water. They'll run you about $5-$6 dollars per bulb+socket and includes AC drivers in each bulb.

-Matt

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ShawnSaucier · Mar 21, 2013

mcarroll said:
Seems like you're thinking with your heart instead of your head from reading your post. In case it helps to hear it, the downsides to LED you mention seem like the learning curve for you, not a fault or limit of the technology. Now that you've done the learning I wouldn't be so quick to give up all the advantages of LED lighting, especially if you've been otherwise happy with the results.

-Matt

P.S. Battery backup for lights....LOL. Spend that money on more supplies or coral, man! (Likewise I would probably opt for a less expensive light and do the same with that extra money too.)

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Matt,
Thank you for your response. You are right with the curve. A small adjustment can take up to a month to truly show results in the corals. (LED) and sometimes I feel I'm not getting the "punch" in colors with my corals. I don't mind spending the money on a system that I feel is right. I have a Mac based household and that is one thing that is still stopping me from purchasing the Radion, I know that is suppose to change. And as far as a Battery Back-up, living in FL... hurricane season can be long.

mcarroll · Mar 21, 2013

Water flow and heat are much much much more important than missing a few days or more of direct sun. Missing a few days won't bother coral in any big way. If you think an outage will be sure to last longer than that, a battery won't help anyway.

With that in mind I wouldn't bother with batteries for lighting.

Get a generator if it seems worth significant expense. An inverter to hook up to your car battery (or to a dedicated deep-cycle battery) would be a more sensible half-step before going with a generator.

-Matt

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Dragonreef202 · Mar 21, 2013

To me there's no perfect lighting. Just what you may prefer. The cost for a t5 led combo will be quite pricey. leds by themselves are not cheap by themselves. No lighting is cheap unless off CL. So I live my t5. I got a 48" 4 bulb t5 with moonlights and digital timer for $100. So I can start to save for some leds for the other tank. A sale makes me like a product more & haven't seen too many led fixtures on sale.

ShawnSaucier · Mar 24, 2013

mcarroll said:
Water flow and heat are much much much more important than missing a few days or more of direct sun. Missing a few days won't bother coral in any big way. If you think an outage will be sure to last longer than that, a battery won't help anyway.

With that in mind I wouldn't bother with batteries for lighting.

Get a generator if it seems worth significant expense. An inverter to hook up to your car battery (or to a dedicated deep-cycle battery) would be a more sensible half-step before going with a generator.

-Matt

Matt,
Thank you for the input. I'll have to research genies in the near future. Does anyone have experience with the Vertex Illumina? Compared to the Vega or Radion..

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Matt,
Thank you for the input. I'll have to research genies in the near future. Does anyone have experience with the Vertex Illumina? Compared to the Vega or Radion..