Equipment advice needed

TrishW · Sep 20, 2013

I have a decision to make regarding my tank. I don't have a controller but I don't have any reactors either, other than a 2LF phosban reactor. When I upgraded from the 90 to the 150 I only bought one new light - a 250W Hamilton Cayman MH. So for my lighting I have my 6 bulb Teklight T5 over 2/3 of the tank and the MH over the other 1/3. I built a canopy so they don't look bad and the corals have really adjusted well, but I do wish my colors were a little brighter. I honestly had not been maintaining the 90 well so maybe the browning is from nutrients and the colors will improve.

Anyway I am considering a couple of things but with the amount of cash I have I obviously will have to pick.

Things I am considering:
three evergrow IT2040 fixtures - unless somebody has some SOL blues they are selling used

a controller - thinking APEX but very open to suggestions. Is a controller really a big help when you aren't using reactors for dosing?

Hoping that some of the more experienced reefers can give me some guidance here. Thanks in advance.

pickupman66 · Sep 20, 2013

Trish...

Ill start with the controller.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE having a Reefkeeper elite on my tank. While apex is a bit better of a controller in alot of folks eyes, the RKE works well for me. Now why do you need a controller?
1. Control the lights more precisely. I ahve a custom led on my tank. with the lighting module, I can ramp them up and down. other than that, its a glorified timer
2. Control heat and cooling precisely. mine controls my heaters and chiller. keeps the tank stable to within .5Â°. this is WONDERFUL. and I dont have to rely on a faulty heater controller.
3. Instant reef stats. I can tell what is on, how long it is on and so on. Also, Instant PH and temp (even on my phone) and I can control things from my desk at work. you can also get salinity monitors and such
4. ALARMS. if something is in the wrong, I will know about it. INSTANTLY. from Anywhere.

to me, the above is super important. Plus I like the feed modes and such. it has been a good investment. I Love the internet abilities of it. I dont use it for any reactors or dosing right now because I have a seperate controller for my Calcium reactor. I havent felt the need to get the module for it yet. I do use the timers on mine to turn on and off my closed loop pump to give me a very random current flow.

Now the Lights.

I love my LED's. Metal Halide was good, but I really like my LED. I like the uniformity across the entire 6 foot span. I had Metal halide and loved them as well. If you are considering getting off the Metal halide/T-5 combo, Give Reef Radiance a look. they have a good following here and a good warranty. (they are evergrow like fixtures). i have their DM-132e on the way for my frag system. Should be here next week sometime and I CANT WAIT. I may try to hook it into my reefkeeper but I need some more modules for it.

anyways, back to your whole tank lighting. I added back some T-5 into my LED and really like what they do. I need to swap to a more actinic bulb, but they do help the coral pop a bit more. I really like the hybrid aspect of them at this time.

all that said, I also have three 175 watt Metal Halides for sale too. $150 takes them.

Lastly, I am about 30 minutes from you up in Winchester, TN. you are more than welcome to come up and have a look one weekend.

H@rry · Sep 20, 2013

I use my controllers to:

1. Measure temp and turn on/off fans and heaters to maintain a more constant temp.
2. Measure pH in the Calcium Reactors and regulate the metering of CO2 to the reactors.
3. Regulate the LED photoperiod(s) with a ramp up/ramp down period.

I don't know much about off the shelf LED units but some of them come with a built in controller that allows you to program your photoperiod and dimming. If you ever intend to use a Calcium Reactor a controller will make your life a lot simpler!

TrishW · Sep 20, 2013

can you ramp the 132s with the RK? I thought those type lights couldn't be controlled.

pickupman66 · Sep 20, 2013

Trish, From what i have heard from Rick @ reef Radiance, they should be able to but he has not done it yet on them. Brandon (neveSSL) and I have been looking into them and it looks like it simply putting a jumper on the adjustment knobs and then connecting that to the Reefkeeper ALC module 0-10V circuitry. I think the evergrows and the reef breeders function the very same way so long as you start off with the fixture with the dimmable knobs on it anyways.

you can get upgraded ones like his Lumentek pro units that come with a programmable controller.

Chameleon · Sep 20, 2013

this thread just reminded me I haven't set up my aquacontroller since moving...better get on that.
I gotta say my simple aquacontroller was purchased used for less than $100 a while back and came with 8 controllable ports a pH meter and a temp probe. While there are fancier controllers I think these basics can help prevent all the major disasters like stuck heaters or float switches and allow for easy control of a calcium reactor. Mine doesn't notify me if something goes wrong, but that why I check on my reef every day...lol. I highly recommend a simple controller like the one I use without all the glitz and glam of the more expensive options. I feel like the more complicated they are the more that can go wrong and the more time you deal messing with them instead of watching your reef.

Chameleon · Sep 20, 2013

oh and for the lights...if you are happy with the cost associated with what you are running I wouldn't switch to led. I dont necessarily thing this will improve your colors. metal halides and T5s can keep color just as well as leds in my tanks anyway. If however you get tired of bulb replacement and going through top off water like a mad man, then leds can be a suitable alternative. My tank are mostly leds and I really like them. the tanks had to be a little bluer than i like to keep good colors with purely leds so now I run some T5s mixed in so I can make my tank less blue and still have good colors. maybe this is because I only use RB and CW leds, but who know.

Tomoko Schum · Sep 20, 2013

I went to Reef Radiance webpage and took a look at DM-132e. It looks nice and very reasonably priced. I wonder how it compares to AI hydra. Does anyone know?

AI hydra comes with a nice remote control, but it is quite pricey. If the spectrum is comparable, I don't mind getting a DM-132e for my Oceanic 29 cube.

pickupman66 · Sep 20, 2013

Tomoko, I'll have to let you know. From what I've read and hear the good are very nice. They also have the 155 that had more leds.

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Dave3112 · Sep 21, 2013

I have the DM-132e over my new tank, still cycling so I don't have them on all the time, and they are pretty cool. I would say comparable to a 175 halide.

Tomoko, next time you are out my way you are welcome to stop by and check them out. I haven't completed the canopy for them yet because I've been having major back issues, so it's a little messy but the lights look good. If they grow corals like I think they will I will have to "eat crow" on my previous LED statements. :/

Dave3112 · Sep 21, 2013

I should say if anyone is out my way they are welcome to stop by and check them out. I just know Tomoko already knows how to get here. LOL

Tomoko Schum · Sep 21, 2013

Hey Dave,

I definitely need to come by! It makes a big difference to see it in person. Can I come by sometime today?
By the way, your clownfish are doing well. I don't mind returning them to you if you'd like

I found out that they bite really hard. Got me to jump out of their tank, lol.

TrishW · Sep 21, 2013

Tomoko Schum said:
Hey Dave,

I definitely need to come by! It makes a big difference to see it in person. Can I come by sometime today?
By the way, your clownfish are doing well. I don't mind returning them to you if you'd like I found out that they bite really hard. Got me to jump out of their tank, lol.

I always say a biting clown is a happy clown.

Tomoko Schum · Sep 21, 2013

I just saw Dave's Reef Radiance DM-132e. The LED fixture looked great and his tank of rocks and sand (no livestock yet) looked great! His aquascape is fantastic!! I bet his tank will be looking fabulous in no time.

I am going to order DM-132e for my 29 cube

Dave3112 · Sep 21, 2013

Thank you Tomoko! It was great to see you. It's been too long and it was great to be able to talk reef again.

Tomoko Schum · Sep 21, 2013

It was great to see you, too. Thank you for letting me come and take a look at the LED fixture on such a short notice. I enjoy talking reef with you

We need to get together more often.

TrishW · Sep 21, 2013

I spent 54 minutes on the phone with Rick at reefradiance.com today. He seems like a great guy and I was very comfortable ordering from him after talking to him.

Dave3112 · Sep 21, 2013

I believe you will be happy with their fixture. I really do like the one I have. I would probably like it better if I hadn't spent so many years fighting the technology and swearing I'd never switch. Lol

TrishW · Sep 21, 2013

I also bought one of the seneye. With it I will be able to measure the PAR levels of my current lights and use that reading to know where to set the new lights for beginning the acclimation process.