in the market for new lights

[ReeferNoob]

Go T5/LED hybrid. I’ve got 4x T5 bulbs and 2x Kessil A380WEs over my 4 foot tank, and couldn’t be happier.

+1 Same thing I’m running on my 40B

 

[vetteguy53081]

Giesmanns good but do consider Kessils with those great blues and shimmer as well as SB Reef lights.

 

[joe0813]

i think im going to keep the gen 2 even though I HATE ecosmart live and get the aquatic life led hybrid. its only 4 something so if I don't like it its not a huge lose like if I bought a powermodule or the giesemann

 

[iemsparticus]

i think im going to keep the gen 2 even though I HATE ecosmart live and get the aquatic life led hybrid. its only 4 something so if I don't like it its not a huge lose like if I bought a powermodule or the giesemann

This is precisely the direction I would go if I were you.

 

[reddog]

I'd go with SB Reef Lights. Awesome lights, IMO.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'd go with SB Reef Lights. Awesome lights, IMO.

More money left for coral too.

 

[joe0813]

ordering the aquatic life hybrid... figured ill give it a shot with the crappy gen 2s

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

ordering the aquatic life hybrid... figured ill give it a shot with the crappy gen 2s

Is the EcoSmart the only way they run ?
It’s the controller not the lights you said.

 

[joe0813]

Is the EcoSmart the only way they run ?
It’s the controller not the lights you said.

you can run them with ecosmart live connected to your computer... but for whatever reason ecosmart is garbage and always freezes and kicks me out or loses connection with the lights. or you can also have them run through an apex

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

you can run them with ecosmart live connected to your computer... but for whatever reason ecosmart is garbage and always freezes and kicks me out or loses connection with the lights. or you can also have them run through an apex

Ugg. Not sure what I’ll do when I can’t buy a Light that doesn’t need my phone, computer or internet.

Mine is a ramping timer in the box Haven’t touched it really for two years. I don’t need WiFi. Lol

 

[joe0813]

thats why i was leaning more towards the API powermodule and chucking the radions all together

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

thats why i was leaning more towards the API powermodule and chucking the radions all together

Too much $$$$ ?

 

[joe0813]

its 2600 i think then bulbs i can swing the price just wanted to give the aquatic life a try.. worst case i sell it with the radions for some money towards the API

 

[joe0813]

well back on this again...... I was going to go with the aquatic life hybrid and keep the three radion gen 2, but im all done with ecosmart live. It is terrible and always gives me issues.... so BUH BYEEE.... I have three lights in mind and i really cant decide what route i want to go. the tank is mostly SPS and is 6 feet long with a canopy.

Giesemann Aurora Led/T5
Giesemann Spectra MH/T5
ATI Powermodule Led/T5

Ive heard awesome things about all three of them. Ive never ran a MH never really looked into them either until i stumbled on a thread here with it. The coral colors look amazing, and great growth and the MH doesnt give the stupid washed out blue look when you take pictures. Only thing with this unit... How much heat does a halide add to a tank and how much does it usually bump a electric bill up?

 

[vetteguy53081]

well back on this again...... I was going to go with the aquatic life hybrid and keep the three radion gen 2, but im all done with ecosmart live. It is terrible and always gives me issues.... so BUH BYEEE.... I have three lights in mind and i really cant decide what route i want to go. the tank is mostly SPS and is 6 feet long with a canopy.

Giesemann Aurora Led/T5
Giesemann Spectra MH/T5
ATI Powermodule Led/T5

Ive heard awesome things about all three of them. Ive never ran a MH never really looked into them either until i stumbled on a thread here with it. The coral colors look amazing, and great growth and the MH doesnt give the stupid washed out blue look when you take pictures. Only thing with this unit... How much heat does a halide add to a tank and how much does it usually bump a electric bill up?

Giesemann Spectra MH/T5 thumbs up.
The MH has that OOMMPHH if you want to call it that and they do run hot and adds to electric bill but when it comes to our coral. . . SO ???? Its worth it!!

 

[joe0813]

Giesemann Spectra MH/T5 thumbs up.
The MH has that OOMMPHH if you want to call it that and they do run hot and adds to electric bill but when it comes to our coral. . . SO ???? Its worth it!!

how much heat? i just dont want to have to go out and buy a chiller too

 

[vetteguy53081]

how much heat? i just dont want to have to go out and buy a chiller too

A bit warmer. Chiller not needed. It will raise your tank temp a few degrees (nothing high) and make a room a bit warmer during summer , but again nothing drastic. Worth it for happiness of corals

 

[joe0813]

so id have the one cord for the T5s. then 3 cords for the MH ballast?

 

[vetteguy53081]

so id have the one cord for the T5s. then 3 cords for the MH ballast?

Possibly yes. I used a power strip for the three cords when I had mine and connected it to a timer

 

[joe0813]

the fixture only comes in a 72 inch... my canopy is 73 inches, would this be a bad idea sticking this light in there? no room for air flow