Help me pick between these LED lights

[MrAlpha]

So I have a 90 gal mostly SPS tank. I have been running a 6 bulb aquatic life fixture for years. Always run ATI bulbs and it’s worked OKAY but I would like to try LEDs and see if I get better growth and color. Didn’t want to break the bank so I was looking used.

I recently bought a used Reef Breeders 48 photon V1 from a member here. Light seems to be in great shape.

Then I came across a great deal locally on a Maxspect Razor r420r 300w 1600k. The lights fans didn’t work and a couple lenses were melted from over heating LEDs. Sent the light off to Coral vue who for $100 is upgrading it to all 1500k LED pads, 120 degree lenses and replacing the fans.

So I have $220 into the Photon plus I would have to figure some type of mount because I can’t hang anything.

I have about $280 into the Razor.

I can only keep one long term. Anyone have any experience, recommendations, thoughts with these lights?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Both are amazingly good lights.

The photon May have a bit more power and spread.
It may also be closer to the par level you are running now.

How high over the tank is your t5 currently? I can est your par at the top of the tank.

 

[MrAlpha]

The T5 is on its mounting legs 5” off the water. I have had some issues with pale corals.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The T5 is on its mounting legs 5” off the water. I had had some issues with pale corals.

It’s a LOT of light. Especially if the nutrients are lowish and the time is long.

Either of those lights will be fine for you.

How deep is the tank?
IMO , you probably want about 400-500 par (30,000 to 40,000 lux ) on the top of a 24in deep tank for high light animals. 300-400 par for mixed and med. based on a 8hr peak and 10-12 hr day with a ramp.

I would reccomend the latter and go up from there to start.

Your t5 at full is close to about 1000 par at the waters surface. It’s doable but becomes a nutrient thing.

 

[MrAlpha]

24” deep Standard 90 lights are on about 8 hours. I do have a light bio load of only 3 fish but I’m definitely not trying to go low nutritent. How should acclimate to the LEDs since it sounds like they will be actually going to a less intense light source

 

[MrAlpha]

Well just a little up date. I have the Maxspect Razor up over the tank for about a week now. Definitely like the sleek look and the shimmer, no disco ball effect with the 120 degree lenses. Started out low, 10 hours total, now I’m maxing out blues 37% and whites 20% peak a few hours. I’m increasing 2% per day for now.

 

[jduong916]

i never really liked the color of the photon v1, too purple for me. It did grow sps but i saw a lot more growth when i added four t5 to the setup.