Decisions decisions- lightning

[tangtime]

Think of redoing my lightning. Currently I have 2x 300 mars aqua over a 180 mixed sps/lps. I really hate the shadowing so gotta start adding more of something.

Ive created a poll to help me decide so pls vote and/or add some input.

Also, please don’t suggest brands as I’m well aware of my options there.

Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

Think of redoing my lightning. Currently I have 2x 300 mars aqua over a 180 mixed sps/lps. I really hate the shadowing so gotta start adding more of something.

Ive created a poll to help me decide so pls vote and/or add some input.

Also, please don’t suggest brands as I’m well aware of my options there.

Thanks

T5s plus led always gets my vote in my opinion it's the perfect combination.

 

[tangtime]

Let’s get some votes!

 

[tangtime]

Bump

 

[tangtime]

Only 3 votes?

 

[tangtime]

Ah dang 50/50 split right now

 

[Crabs McJones]

Bump, lets get some more votes for @tangtime lets see what the rest of #reefsquad has to say

 

[jsker]

Go with the combination of LED and T5's, I have read about many success using this.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I dunno. They all accomplish the same thing. Make the source of Light larger.

The 250s might not do that depending on the fixture.

Adding t5 might not do much of anything depending on the distance to the tank and intensity of the led.


Food for thought.

The cheapest and simplest probably would be to go Led and pull a bunch of lenses out of the middle.

 

[Big G]

The cheapest and simplest probably would be to go Led and pull a bunch of lenses out of the middle.

+1 on this ^^^

 

[tangtime]

Definitely not pulling lenses as that is not how leds are designed to operate.

I’m just looking for votes on the 3 options of lighting I listed.

All 3 would be great options, just looking for what others would do given the same circumstances.m to see what would be considered better.

I’m leaning towards the T5/led but can’t beat the plug n play,shimmer, and proven trestle of halides.

Thanks.

 

[jda]

People are not likely voting because only you can decide what is best for you. If you had more parameters like performance vs. control-ability vs whatever, then people could probably post more. Better is in the eye of the beholder, but you could narrow it down by knowing what you want to accomplish.

Although not an option, I would consider 4x 60" T5s or just move to Halides. I hated the dark 6" on the end of my tanks and got Bimini Sun Fixtures to cover that area... it can be really dark and I wanted to grow acros there... so 60" T5s might leave you wanting a bit.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Definitely not pulling lenses as that is not how leds are designed to operate.

I’m just looking for votes on the 3 options of lighting I listed.

All 3 would be great options, just looking for what others would do given the same circumstances.m to see what would be considered better.

I’m leaning towards the T5/led but can’t beat the plug n play,shimmer, and proven trestle of halides.

Thanks.

I don’t have accessory lenses in one of mine , just the 120 primaries.
Leds are designed a number of ways.

Here how it’s done.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-modified-black-box-thread.283942/page-10
In my other tank I used diffusions to increase spread.


Go MH.

 

[tangtime]

People are not likely voting because only you can decide what is best for you. If you had more parameters like performance vs. control-ability vs whatever, then people could probably post more. Better is in the eye of the beholder, but you could narrow it down by knowing what you want to accomplish.

Although not an option, I would consider 4x 60" T5s or just move to Halides. I hated the dark 6" on the end of my tanks and got Bimini Sun Fixtures to cover that area... it can be really dark and I wanted to grow acros there... so 60" T5s might leave you wanting a bit.

I get your point, as I made the poll very straight forward and simple for that very reason.

Too many options and people want to break it down wayyy too far. This hobby has really spiraled out of control, imo considering there are arguments over a change .01ppm of po4 or 2 vs 5 ppm of no3....

I’m old school where the KISS method has never failed unless you really screwed up!

 

[jda]

Berlin and MH will still yield the best results with the most margin for error with the most ease. That is as KISS as it gets if you want to use that for a guide.

 

[cracker]

Hey Tang time I also have Mars aqua's over my 180 I have 6 165 watt. When I up grade I will go either back to the metal halides or T 5's

 

[tangtime]

Hey Tang time I also have Mars aqua's over my 180 I have 6 165 watt. When I up grade I will go either back to the metal halides or T 5's

But which are you going to use lol

 

[cracker]

I couldn't say . I liked the simplicity of Metal halides & T 5's . I'm burned out on all the bells & whistles of fancy Leds. Ok Ok, I have 3 nice 250 MH ballasts & hoods .I have to say I'll go back to them & the good Ole days when lights turned on then lights turned off !
Didn't seem to hang up the tank's inhabitants then. Why now?
I'm wanting to know what Your gonna do ! LOL

 

[Christopher Davis]

Jack up them t5’s

 

[mtraylor]

Think of redoing my lightning. Currently I have 2x 300 mars aqua over a 180 mixed sps/lps. I really hate the shadowing so gotta start adding more of something.

Ive created a poll to help me decide so pls vote and/or add some input.

Also, please don’t suggest brands as I’m well aware of my options there.

Thanks

I think you need to go with what you think is best. Only you can make that decision. You can stack the pros and cons of each light and go for it.

Good luck.