If you could get any light...

[hart24601]

Because the corals are typically brown or barely colorful. There's a very few exceptions, but from the one's I've seen -- It's meh.

I was going to say the same thing. I mean if someone likes it that's great, but I don't have trouble growing whatever I want now, and I have never seen a tube tank I liked better than my own tank. But that's just personal preference.

 

[hart24601]

Giesemann Spectra is my choice, as I've recently bought one

You can have success with pretty much any light from all of the decent manufacturers so my small bit of advice would be to find your favourite tanks (I call them my inspiration tanks) and emulate what they use. Most of my inspiration tanks use MH/T5 so that's what I've moved to.

Great advise! If you can see some types in person too, but I 100% agree on picking your favorite tanks and talking with the owners even if online. The can give more context to their choices and IMO it's better to pick a tank you personally like rather than what is just popular recommendations.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I was going to say the same thing. I mean if someone likes it that's great, but I don't have trouble growing whatever I want now, and I have never seen a tube tank I liked better than my own tank. But that's just personal preference.

What do you supplement your sola tubes with? I think led actinic strips would help with color.

 

[hart24601]

Sorry for not being clear, I do have have tubes because I have not seen a tube tank I liked the looks of more than my tank which does not use tubes!

 

[tcampbell23]

8X80w ATI Fixture

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Sorry for not being clear, I do have have tubes because I have not seen a tube tank I liked the looks of more than my tank which does not use tubes!

No problem I have never seen a tube tank in person and if you get the ones that actually follow the sun they get expensive but except for supplement lighting they are free to operate. Personally I like my Orphek Atlantiks running 2 of the Ver2.1B on display that is 72"L x 30" D x 28" Tall. I can grow most anything anywhere in the tank.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

8X80w ATI Fixture

I love ATI but you do not get the shimmer like halide or good leds. The tube replacement and heat can still be a factor. My LEDs use half the power when they are at full power. Most people that use ATI have their tube selection, when all are on, too blue for my liking.

 

[dragon99]

Lot's of good options mentioned.

I'd go with (4) Mitras LX7206's. Maybe 5 if you wanna go nuts.
Second choice is the ATI Powermodule, but I just can't get behind the waste of throwing away lights bulbs every year.

 

[Rakie]

I love ATI but you do not get the shimmer like halide or good leds. The tube replacement and heat can still be a factor. My LEDs use half the power when they are at full power. Most people that use ATI have their tube selection, when all are on, too blue for my liking.

Yeah but that's just personal preference. Most guys with LED's run almost 100% Royal Blue only and it's much more 'blue' looking and unnatural.

For T5, I really love the look of a 50/50 mix Blue+ & Coral+, it looks surprisingly natural, while still being more towards the blue side, yet having bits and pieces of the missing purple+ bulb.

 

[Murica]

Everything you asked for about light testing. Which is first? You decide! | BRStv Investigates

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php...rst?-You-decide!-|-BRStv-Investigates.305342/


If you haven't seen this, brs is testing different light sources. Should be interesting

 

[Murica]

Geisseman Spectra

Would you say a 250 watt or the 400 watt? I have no idea. Only one I saw on brs was the 72"

 

[KJAG]

Would you say a 250 watt or the 400 watt? I have no idea. Only one I saw on brs was the 72"

If you're a maniacal SPS guy id say the 400, but I'll be doing 250 personally and then supplementing with Kesssils, if I need them..

 

[Murica]

What sb light do people recommend?

Also, opinions on sb?

 

[Arvin0677]

Radion G4

 

[Velcro]

Radion G4

Is overpriced.

 

[Fishmantim]

Check out the sirius xtc leds excellent quality made in USA

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I built my own as I cannot afford any commercial units. Even chinese black boxes cost me 1/2 of my monthly wages due to drop in foreign exchange ;Dead

 

[Brad Shook]

I think everyone has forgotten about VHO actinic. I have run 2- 6' VHO over my tank 72"×30"×24" for years. VHO kicks HO in the butt everytime!
I used to also have MH(3-400w, 2 VHO) but switched them out with ebay LEDs (6 LED Units, 2 VHO)about 18 months ago. Here is my tank.