Best lights

EchoTheOrca20 · May 3, 2020

I have a100 gallon tank. Can someone tell me what are best lights for a mixed reef tank. Thank you

Camaro Show Corals · May 3, 2020

Ecotech radion xr30 gen5 pros imo are

Shawn_epicurious · May 3, 2020

That’s a more open ended question than you may realize. : )

The lights you need depend on the bioload you are trying to support. Are you all softies? LPS... SPS? What are you trying to achieve? ...cuz there are different light settings for all and even more when it’s mixed.

it’s really more about PAR levels, at different depths, for the things you have at those depths.

cvrle1 · May 3, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
That’s a more open ended question than you may realize. : )

The lights you need depend on the bioload you are trying to support. Are you all softies? LPS... SPS? What are you trying to achieve? ...cuz there are different light settings for all and even more when it’s mixed.

it’s really more about PAR levels, at different depths, for the things you have at those depths.

This 100%

Are you looking at LED, T5, LED/T5 combo, MH, etc? Lots of differences with each type.

And to add, what features do you want your light to have (these are all primarily LED related)? Some light will have only 2 channels of control, no WiFi, no ramp up or ramp down, moon/dusk/dawn, etc, while other will have some or all of those. One thing to keep in mind is that none of these features will make your corals grow any better, they are for you and your enjoyment only. For some they are a waste of money and not necessary, for others they are an absolute must have.

Shawn_epicurious · May 3, 2020

cvrle1 said:
This 100%

Are you looking at LED, T5, LED/T5 combo, MH, etc? Lots of differences with each type.

And to add, what features do you want your light to have (these are all primarily LED related)? Some light will have only 2 channels of control, no WiFi, no ramp up or ramp down, moon/dusk/dawn, etc, while other will have some or all of those. One thing to keep in mind is that none of these features will make your corals grow any better, they are for you and your enjoyment only. For some they are a waste of money and not necessary, for others they are an absolute must have.

I wonder if I will ever actually figure out where my lights should he. : ) there is no perfect setting. But there are a bunch that don’t work at all.

EchoTheOrca20 · May 3, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
That’s a more open ended question than you may realize. : )

The lights you need depend on the bioload you are trying to support. Are you all softies? LPS... SPS? What are you trying to achieve? ...cuz there are different light settings for all and even more when it’s mixed.

it’s really more about PAR levels, at different depths, for the things you have at those depths.

I'm going for sps. I'm trying to achieve something like this :

Shawn_epicurious · May 3, 2020

I am working towards having an SPS dominant tank. I am currently running 2 Hydra 32s (left and right) and one Hydra 26 in the center. I’ll probably end up adding two more lights once I really start adding SPS corals. What’s funny is, I will never run them at 100%... it’s more about flooding every square inch of the tank with light. I have a 200 gallon tank. I’ll also start tweaking the light setup As I start adding SPS.

I am not the expert here. There are some specific threads on this forum for lighting questions where people will make your head spin with excellent advice.

Read up on PAR...

Hydrored · May 3, 2020

I still think T5 hybrid is the best, to my eyes nothing looks better and it grows great. I just ordered a new 72” rimless and may bit the bullet from all LED to hybrid

Krully · May 3, 2020

Most expensive doesn’t mean best (looking at you Radions, not that they’re bad lights just severely overpriced imo). General consensus seems to be LED + T5 provides the best of both worlds. As for the LED part there are many many options to choose from and I don’t think it’s necessary to have LEDs that cost twice the rest of your setup.

Bpb · May 3, 2020

Krully said:
Most expensive doesn’t mean best (looking at you ORPHEK, not that they’re bad lights just severely overpriced imo). General consensus seems to be LED + T5 provides the best of both worlds. As for the LED part there are many many options to choose from and I don’t think it’s necessary to have LEDs that cost twice the rest of your setup.

fixed it for you

Bpb · May 3, 2020

BEST? no such thing. There is literally no answer to that question. From a construction standpoint I’d probably give the nod to either the reef fi duo extreme or the Philips coral care

cvrle1 · May 3, 2020

Good read and bunch of ideas here for lights that are not AI, Kessil or Radion

What are your favorite "best Value" LED's?

Ok, so let me set some criteria for this. What we're looking for are recommendations that would be considered "budget-friendly" (so those of us who use radions, and more expensive lights shouldn't be recommending those in this thread), but that are controllable WITHOUT having to buy an APEX or...

www.reef2reef.com

jsweir · May 3, 2020

If you are thinking about the XR15/30s Gen5 make sure you read about the problems that some people are having.

PatW · May 3, 2020

I use AI hydras. And they are good lights. But the eco tech radions have a more even spread and better spectrum and the cost more. I suppose it is a matter of what will do the job and what your bank account will take.

Flipsquad81 · May 3, 2020

EchoTheOrca20 said:
I have a100 gallon tank. Can someone tell me what are best lights for a mixed reef tank. Thank you

I use the OceanRevive t247 led. It has incredible PAR levels. It's almost too bright, and that's why it comes with adjustable strength for each channel. 2 channels. Ch1 blues,reds,grens, ch2. Whites. I have great growth and color. You can't beat the price. You'd probably need 2.

X-37B · May 3, 2020

Best light? The sun lol.
They all work. The best is what you like imo.
I have a new MH complete system and run a used T5 unit.
Some day I will use the MH.
Will most likely add a couple of Orphek light bars in the future as I like the look of them on a fellow reefers tank.

4Bushpilot · May 7, 2020

Krully said:
Most expensive doesn’t mean best (looking at you Radions, not that they’re bad lights just severely overpriced imo). General consensus seems to be LED + T5 provides the best of both worlds. As for the LED part there are many many options to choose from and I don’t think it’s necessary to have LEDs that cost twice the rest of your setup.

I appreciate what you’re saying. I’ve read that the Kessil’s are so easy to use for new reefers. Can you give me some specifics about less expensive alternatives. My tank is a 70 gal 20” deep. I like the compact look of the new smaller lights vs a huge thick unit. Many thanks