Help me choose new lights

Chris Adams · Nov 6, 2016

Im 38gl
System running a couple years. Currently have couple year old reef radiance IT2040 and couple T5 retro kits
SPS dominated, but some lps, softies mixed in

I am trying to choose between

6 bulb ATI dimmable SunPower

or

XR15W G4

jsker · Nov 6, 2016

Go ATI, I have seen and heard great results

Antics · Nov 6, 2016

I really enjoy T5s but I'm very intrigued by Ecotech's new lenses so I went with the G4 XR15s. I love the spread and look so far but I don't have any worthwhile results to support buying them at this point.

Chris Adams · Nov 6, 2016

@Antics can you post a picture please

I know @jsker I was pretty set on the ATI but as Antics point out the G4 are an interesting.
No rush most likely be a Christmas present.

Looking for reviews still not a ton out.

Armydogracing · Nov 6, 2016

Also agree with the ati fixture maybe add a reef bright or a euro e5 blue pop bulb

Chris Adams · Nov 6, 2016

@Armydogracing I just so happen to have a couple E5 pop

I had tested them out in my retro t5 very blue

For the ATI I was considering either 4 bulb and add couple reef brite. Or possibly add on couple T5 for the blue pop(I thought I read somewhere they were issue to run in the ATI fixture could be wrong).

Or just 6 bulb ATI

I know there are benefits to the LEDs so hard to get away from them especially with the new G4 lens...
Shoot I was even considering buying the G4 with plans to buy and mode a used 6 x unit.

Well hopefully we can get some other SPS heavies to way in also.

So far ATI vote taking it

Armydogracing · Nov 6, 2016

Now I have seen some really sweet xr30 and t5 combo lights before this is my light I added 4 led full spectrum bar lights. This is an old coralvue hybrid led light with 15 3w rb leds up the middle

Chris Adams · Nov 6, 2016

@Armydogracing that is a sick setup

Chris Adams · Nov 7, 2016

Further opinions wanted..

jschultzbass · Nov 7, 2016

I had the G3 Pro over my newly started reef and after much research and playing around I went with an 8 bulb dimmable ATI sunpower. I'm going for a 100% SPS reef and the LEDs take too much playing and screwing around. I have enough to worry about besides what percent UV vs red vs white vs royal blue vs.....etc. They are also very dim looking compared to T5. No doubt LED can grow coral but I don't have enough time to play around with them to make sure everything is perfect. With T5 it's about as easy as it comes and SPS love it. No shadowing and complete coverage, complete spectrum in just a couple bulbs, very well understood. I started mine out with Zeovit and KZ also recommends T5 over anything else and what they have the best and easiest success with.

Saying all that, LED is an awesome technology and the settings and amount of playing you can do is limitless...if you're into that.

tankstudy · Nov 7, 2016

If your very knowledgeable about LEDs, the G4's would be my recommendation. Low heat, low energy and less ATO consumption is great.

However, if you don't have a good grasp on LED's, I would recommend going with the ATI's.

Xathron · Nov 7, 2016

I am in the same boat new build trying to pick a good light to handle the different live stock. I have been looking at the Aurora T5 LED Hybrid by Giesemann. What are your thoughts on that light?

Chris Adams · Nov 7, 2016

Xathron said:
I am in the same boat new build trying to pick a good light to handle the different live stock. I have been looking at the Aurora T5 LED Hybrid by Giesemann. What are your thoughts on that light?

My thought out of my league

but very nice if you can afford it

Water Dog · Nov 7, 2016

For SPS reef tanks the ATI T5 fixtures are as good as it gets when it comes to coverage and growth IMO.

Even with the new lenses on the G4s, shadowing will still be inevitable in SPS tanks because of the nature of puck style led lights... especially if you're considering a single xr15. The only way to combat the shadowing of puck style fixtures is to have multiple pucks which can get very expensive.

An LED fixture that I find very intriguing for an SPS tank of your size is the relatively new Maxspect Ethereal. I like how the LEDs are grouped together in sets of 5 diodes without optics for a total of 8 mini pucks housed in mini reflectors spread out in the fixture. They also get rid of red and green diodes in favor of neutral white and warm white. It is a newer fixture and I'd love to see more reviews about it.

billwill · Nov 7, 2016

I'd recommend XR30 for that tank. Especially considering you've been running the IT2040. I have two over my 90g, and I'm very happy with them.

Chris Adams · Nov 25, 2016

ATI 6x24 in cart, need couple more smokes before I hit buy. Hard for me to spend money like this but love my corals.

Chris Adams · Dec 2, 2016

pulled the trigger on the 6x24 ATI unit. Now to see if the wife is going to make me wait till christmas to set them up :mad:

At least I will do the burn in that way I won't have to do it when over the tank

Water Dog · Dec 2, 2016

Nice choice... you can be rest assured, you're lights won't be holding you back!!!

gus6464 · Dec 2, 2016

An XR15 is nowhere near in the same league as an ATI 6x24. This shouldn't have even been a comparison in the first place.

Chris Adams · Dec 3, 2016

gus6464 said:
An XR15 is nowhere near in the same league as an ATI 6x24. This shouldn't have even been a comparison in the first place.

Sorry I should have said XR15 G4 with retro t5x4. I already have led IT2040 with 2xt5, thoughts were to upgrade the led and add additional 2xt5.
With the G4 being so new and all the documented success on the ATI units I believe I made the right choice for now