Help choose lights

Tphill · Jun 2, 2014

Hello. I'm finally getting around to setting up my 120G (4x2x2). This tank will be mostly SPS with some zoas/paly's and maybe a Duncan or something similar for 'movement'. I have all of the other equipment either here, ordered, or in budget to order. What I don't have is good lights. I have 2 cheap Chinese 120w dimmable fixtures that I've modified to be full spectrum following the layout of the OR IT2080 fixture I have over my 75G. I also have a fixture with 2 150w MH's. Just not enough light, to much heat and power to operate. I think I just need a little help deciding on good or really good lights. I know I want led, probably 2 fixtures because of the center brace on the tank. I also know I want as few as possible cords going to the lights. I have an Apex to control the lights. I'm looking at 2 of the EcoTech Radion XR30w G3 Pro fixtures. Just want to know if there is something better at or below this price point, or just slightly above. Thanks.

ethridge78 · Jun 2, 2014

I have the g3's and love them .

Tphill · Jun 2, 2014

Do you have any pics of your tank with these lights on it? Would 2 of these light my tank enough?

saltfishguy18 · Jun 3, 2014

I have the pacific sun hyperions. Awesome fixtures, really like it a lot. I have a standard 90 gallon so your 120 is wider then my 6 inches. I would recommend the pandora pacific sun fixtures for your size tank

Reefing Madness · Jun 3, 2014

120W LED Aquarium Light Dimmable Full Spectrum Reef Marine Coral LPS SPS Lamp | eBay
Modular Design Full Spectrum Dimmable 120W LED Aquarium Coral Reef Light Lamp | eBay
120W LED Aquarium Lighting Bridgelux Chip with Lens Full Spectrum Coral Reef USA | eBay
Value LED Fixture | Reef Breeders LEDs
OR-U120 LED Aquarium Light_Aquarium LED_OCEANREVIVE LED
Arctic-S026 LED Aquarium Light_Aquarium LED_OCEANREVIVE LED

Stemick · Jun 3, 2014

I have the G2's I love them but I have also had a fixture like the OR IT2080 and my cousin has OR lighting. There not as fancy as the Radions so it depends what you want to do with the lights and what features are important to you. The Radions do a lot and have a lot of features. If you think about it your going to set them how you want it them and tweak it a little bit then probably never mess with it other the to show It off. So if you don't think your going to mess with all the features, just going to use the basic feature, and save a little bit of money I would go with the OR IT2080 or equivalent ( NOT ADVERTISING THEM "IMO" from what I have "seen" they work just fine). Radion's you might need up to 3 of them depend how long your tank is. They cover 24"x24" area can push them out to 30"x30" depending on if you had the space above the tank.

Tphill · Jun 3, 2014

I have an OR IT2080 over my 75G and the ends of the tank are dim. I believe I need 2 lights for the 120, because of the center brace. I would want to control both of the lights with the Apex, mainly because no 2 timers are going to be exact on timing, and I don't want one side of the tank changing before the other. Personal preference. These value fixtures don't have an out of the box option for Apex control, nor do they have a master-slave option. I also believe Cree led's are better than Bridelux. All of this is personal preference, but it is my money.

Bad Company · Jun 3, 2014

I always thought it would be cool to have a gradual sunrise/sunset with on side going dark first. That said, if you are running APEX, two Reef radiance DM-155e lights, plugged into two different APEX sockets with splitters would light your tank for less than $350 at your door.

Tphill · Jun 6, 2014

Bad Company said:
I always thought it would be cool to have a gradual sunrise/sunset with on side going dark first. That said, if you are running APEX, two Reef radiance DM-155e lights, plugged into two different APEX sockets with splitters would light your tank for less than $350 at your door.

I think this seems like a good option. Would these just plug directly into the Apex for dimming control, or would modifications be needed?

twotangs · Jun 6, 2014

I got mine at reefledlights.com DIY build. It may give you some more flexability with the center brace than going with stock fixtures. Also using an Apex

zwulfke · Jun 6, 2014

I have a apex and a reefradicence I just use the controller on the light Love my 180 pro and the service, quality, an product is awesome. why keep one point of failure I know I don't . the reefradence will be cheaper and better quality. check out https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/le...odes-light-omg-what-light-72.html#post1888166

Bad Company · Jun 7, 2014

Tphill said:
I think this seems like a good option. Would these just plug directly into the Apex for dimming control, or would modifications be needed?

DM-155e are not controllable regarding dimming, so no ramp up/down with the stock units. However, you need to determine if the ramp is worth $400.

Tphill · Jun 7, 2014

Bad Company said:
DM-155e are not controllable regarding dimming, so no ramp up/down with the stock units. However, you need to determine if the ramp is worth $400.

Ok, so in stock form, no ramp up/down. How about with a little modification?

ryanlotz5 · Jun 7, 2014

Typhoon controller !! Add that do any dimmable drivers and you'll have dimming and ramping controls . Best $50 I ever spent on my DIY build LEDs

Sleep eat reef repeat !!!

ifarmer · Jun 17, 2014

For sps, I would suggest going with ati 8x54w t5 light on this 120g.
If you want to do sps then color is more important than grow I believe.
So t5 definitely will give you good color. Yearly bulb replacement cost is nothing in this hobby