Netta Fish
Active Member
I am currently running a 120 mixed reef mostly Lps. tank is 48x24x24 and am currently running 6x 54 watt t5.. Want to upgrade to LEDs but not sure which way to go... Any help will be appreciated . Thanks
Led help
- Thread starter Netta Fish
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OP
OP
Netta Fish
Active Member
I was considering DIY but not sure of the bulb config... Any other opinion on the ai sol I was interested in them.
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
There are many great options for LED's. If you are comfortable with DIY, then I say go for it. The AI sols are a pretty decent fixture. There are a couple of site sponsors that offer great LED fixtures. I run the Maxspect Mazarra P-Series on my 55 reef and they work pretty good for me.
KoleTang
Valuable Member
I am using the AI Super Blues. I am very happy with them. The new controller is great and it can be attached via cable (no need for the wireless contraption).
The vega gives you more colors (like the radion).
The vega gives you more colors (like the radion).
FireWater
New Member
I have ran 2 Sol blues over my 120, same footprint as yours, for over a year now and couldn't be happier. I keep a mixed reef with lps, sps, zoas/palys, and a couple maxi minis.
I did however recently buy a Vega to see if it would add anything special. Haven't put it over the tank yet.
I did however recently buy a Vega to see if it would add anything special. Haven't put it over the tank yet.
dwilliams87
Valuable Member
I am running DIY Led's on 3 different tanks right now, and have no complaints thus far. I went with the Bridgelux Led's because they are cheaper. I don't really have anything bad to say about them. I bought mine from aquastyledirect.com . Let me know if you have any questions if you decide to go that way.
Knuckles33
Community Member
Using ai sols on mine. Zoas and Los doing fine. Some sps doing ok, some I wish we're doing better. I just haven't found the right settings where everything's happy yet
I have 2 Radions over my 75. Love them, but honestly overkill IMO.. If and when i set up a new tank or upgrade to a larger, I'd go with AI. Really no need for anymore than blues and whites.
Headiesheradon
Community Member
the razors are a nice led unit as well. And the the Vertex illumina 260 model is a GREAT option.
CraigG
Active Member
Good question, I went with a DIY LED fixture which I love. It's going on about 2 years now and I'm just now getting it tweaked out perfectly. Needless to say there is a huge learning curve to DIYing leds its like its own hobby, for me I love getting into projects so it was a no brainier. It sounds like I have the same tank as you a 4' 120gal so here's my led recipe. I have 4 channels of light wired into an apex dimming module, channel 1 24 UV leds, channel 2 16 cool blue xml 8 XTE royal blues 48 XRE royal blues, channel 3 10 red and 10 turquoise leds and channel 4 8 premium xpg leds. Note that out of 124 LEDs that only 8 of them are white xpgs. My experience with leds is that you can wash out the actinic look quick with white leds. When I pump up my xpgs full bore the tank looks 10k no joke. Here's how I cycle my channels. In an 11 hour photo-period it starts with 15 mins of UV from 15mins to 1.30 my blues ramp up from 1.30 to 2.00 my red and turquoise come on from 2.00 to 4.00 my xpgs come on at 1% power just lit from 4.00 to 5.30 my xpg ramp from 1 to 100% and then the cycle reverses its self back down.
For me a DIY light fixture offers flexibility and is very upgradable. LED technology is on the rise. I believe in the next few years well see better LEDS that are brighter and consume less power and with a DIY system you are able to evolve your system. Now on the other hand I know there are plenty of ready made led fixtures. If I were to go that route I would seriously wait till next year and get the new Radion XR30 pro. It would be the latest greatest led fixture and I believe its going to be exceptional based on the already proven Radion xr30. I can't speak for other brands as I don't know to much of them it sounds like people like the sol as well. Good luck on your quest and if I can help please feel free to ask.
For me a DIY light fixture offers flexibility and is very upgradable. LED technology is on the rise. I believe in the next few years well see better LEDS that are brighter and consume less power and with a DIY system you are able to evolve your system. Now on the other hand I know there are plenty of ready made led fixtures. If I were to go that route I would seriously wait till next year and get the new Radion XR30 pro. It would be the latest greatest led fixture and I believe its going to be exceptional based on the already proven Radion xr30. I can't speak for other brands as I don't know to much of them it sounds like people like the sol as well. Good luck on your quest and if I can help please feel free to ask.
Headiesheradon
Community Member
I run 5 x 1 foot Illumina model 360 over a 12' foot system and i Love them. No complaints and the software is easy to use allows for wireless built into the unit. Just use a v-link plugged into a usb port in your laptop. the v link is very small to boot.
Reefing8EZ
unregistered
A couple of Phoenix 45 kits from reefledlights, they use only the best parts available! (Bill is serious about LEDs)
Or you can buy the pre built one (built in the USA), ReefSpectrum P47 is the name, if you dont want to DIY.
Same as the Phoenix kits but already built and dimmable too.. HTH.. Oh and they look sweet with the carbon fiber housing..
Edit: actually just noticed the fixture is now on sale for less than the DIY kit!!
Or you can buy the pre built one (built in the USA), ReefSpectrum P47 is the name, if you dont want to DIY.
Same as the Phoenix kits but already built and dimmable too.. HTH.. Oh and they look sweet with the carbon fiber housing..
Edit: actually just noticed the fixture is now on sale for less than the DIY kit!!
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