LED Guru's.... I need your opnions....

Captain Nemo · Oct 15, 2012

So I am in the design stages of my new tank... I am thinking it will be a 125 but may go with a 150 not sure yet... Anyways, I am looking for your suggestions of LED's for said tanks. I have a friend who suggested the Maxspect Mazarra series, but I dont know which one to go with or if I should look towards the Radions? I love Ecotech's pumps and I have a feeling their lights would be awesome as well. So I would like some opnions on this. Any other suggestions you have would be nice also. I only ask that they be controllable and dimmable, meaning I can want to be able to dim as needed. A sunrise to sunset setup would be nice, as well as moonlights. And if you prefer one sized tank over the other, please state that as well. Ready? GO!

revhtree · Oct 15, 2012

There are lots of good choices and they are not just limited to the major manufacturers. Are you wanting one big fixture or are you looking for a few pendant style? Also what will the dimensions of the tank be?

Captain Nemo · Oct 15, 2012

I dont know about the size of the tank yet, it will be between 125-150 gallon, but dont know if I want a 6 foot tank or a 4 foot tank thats deeper... What LED's do you run Revh?

BigAl07 · Oct 15, 2012

What are your plans for STOCKING the tank? Fish Only? Reef - Softies, Reef - Softies & LPS, Reef - Softies, LPS & SPS, Reef - SPS only?

I'm partial to the GHL Mitras because it has almost 2x as many LED as Radion, more light channels (9 to be exact), more coverage per unit than Radion and not much more $$ thank Radions. If I had a tank needing LED that's the route I'd take w/o a doubt but alas both of mine are already LED so I can't justify that cost .... yet LOL!

Captain Nemo · Oct 15, 2012

I plan on being mostly softies and some LPS, and some SPS. I dont want to have a SPS dominant tank where I have to dose heavily every day... LOL

Chris L · Oct 15, 2012

U will have to look at how its braced. If it is like a standard 125 (6 feet) then there will probably be 2 braces which makes 3 sections. I would want 3 fixtures.

I personally like to DIY my own stuff. If i were looking at premade:

3 x AI Vega because of price
Or
3 x Radion

Captain Nemo · Oct 15, 2012

thank you. I am unsure of tank size right now... so how about we just change to "Which LED's woudl you reccomend and why?"

ReefLEDLights · Oct 15, 2012

My choice is DIY. You can choose better more current LEDs and save 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

I would avoid Chinese Fixtures as their LEDs are dated compared to the Cree XT-E and quality is always an issue.

The Radion is an excellent fixture with a very sharp look and is my choice for factory fixture. They however are expensive.

Bill

Captain Nemo · Oct 17, 2012

thank you bill! I am torn between the mazarra and radion... I dont think I am electronically inclined enough to build my own... LOL. So can anyone tell me the spread of the maxspects and the radions? Such as if I have a 4 foot tank, how many units would I need? Since the radions are 120w and the maxspects are only 60w, I assume I would need almost double to achieve the same purpose.... Thoughts??And thank you for your help everyone!

MBSL55 · Oct 17, 2012

I have been very happy with the AI Vega and like the things they have in the works such as custom LED pucks, advanced controller, and the ability to have 20 channels of control if you wanted to go with a bunch of different color/type LEDs and be able to individually control each LED.

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