LEDs for a 93g Cube? 1 or 2 Fixtures?

SloppyJ · Jan 31, 2014

So I'm having a hard time deciding what light would work best here. Building a 30x30x24 cube. I don't want to spend more the $1000 on lights. At first I thought I wanted 1 gen 3 radion pro. But I'm not sure that it will be enough light for the tank. It will be a mixed reef with a few choice SPS pieces scattered on the top of the rock work. I know I want a full spectrum light. I also thought about 2 AI Hydras. Any suggestions?

KorL · Feb 11, 2014

I read that the hydra 52 can light a 36x36 area, so either (1) hydra 52 or (2) hydras either way it would be under your $1000 budget. But if I had to choose I would say (2) hydras to for even light coverage and to prevent any shadowing

DSP · Feb 11, 2014

I wouldnt get the standard hydra's there really not powerful enough for deep tanks imo, Now the hydra 52s are! 1 hydra 52 would give you more then enough light for sure and so would the radion, People have been telling me that the 120 lenses acually almost doubles the output of the radion!and that's a lot of light with great spread So that's what I'll be doing for my new setup even if I don't need it because the lenses are fairly cheap.

DSP · Feb 11, 2014

Another reason why I wouldn't get the standard hydra's is that there not upgradeable like the other ai fixtures.

DSP · Feb 11, 2014

Well I take that back the standard hydra's may work for a Lps dominate tank with a few sps up high but if your wanting high light corals throughout the tank then go with the radion or 52s for sure.

KorL · Feb 11, 2014

For some reason I thought the tank was larger than 30x30. Yeah (1) hydra 52 will be just fine

SloppyJ · Feb 11, 2014

To update this thread, I emailed ecotech. They said that the radions were made to cover a 30x30 area. He stated that the 120 lenses were not required. I think there is going to be some shadowing with the standard lenses so I might end up with the other lenses.

Keithcorals · Feb 11, 2014

I just got a hydra 52 for my 57gal 36x18" with SPS it lights the tank from one end to the other. I need to get my par meter out to see what it's really putting out but it looks brighter than the vega I tried before it by far.

SloppyJ · Feb 11, 2014

Thanks for the info! A friend of mine has a custom tank coming. It's 36x24x18. He's planning on using 1 radion gen3 pro. His tank comes in this week and he's going to mount the radion and see what kind of coverage he gets with the tank filled with tap water.

DSP · Feb 11, 2014

SloppyJ said:
Thanks for the info! A friend of mine has a custom tank coming. It's 36x24x18. He's planning on using 1 radion gen3 pro. His tank comes in this week and he's going to mount the radion and see what kind of coverage he gets with the tank filled with tap water.

That would be me! Lol

SloppyJ · Feb 11, 2014

Guess I could have read your sig first! Maybe you can post some pics in here when you get it setup. I'm sure someone else has the same questions that we have. Thanks for being the guinea pig.

DSP · Feb 11, 2014

SloppyJ said:
Guess I could have read your sig first! Maybe you can post some pics in here when you get it setup. I'm sure someone else has the same questions that we have. Thanks for being the guinea pig.

Haha! And ok I'll for sure post some pics

zibba · Feb 11, 2014

I just mounted a Hydra52 over my 36x30x22 tank this past weekend. I'm very early in acclimation mode so the intensity is turned down but I'm hopeful that one unit will be sufficient. It should help that the aquascape is such that the light-demanding corals are placed in a 24x24 area with low-light corals on the skirts of the tank -- I also try not to place anything too close to the edge of the tank so I can clean it. I'll try to get some new pictures of the set-up in my build thread ASAP.

I've seen the new Radion's in action, they're very nice. I don't think you can go wrong with either the Radion Gen3's or the Hydra52. Both good options. If you want to keep it under $1000, you can always retrofit 2xT5s or add a Reefbrite strip to supplement the main LED fixture. Just another option.

rjcranor · Feb 11, 2014

I would check out Reef radiance LEDs. Fully programmable .

1.0reef · Feb 11, 2014

JMO 2 Nanobox would be my choice by far, then reefbreeders, then probably maxspect.

SloppyJ · Feb 11, 2014

Reef Radiance is based out of the town that I'm from. I've seen them in person and haven't been too impressed. I'm looking for more functionality and I need it to look finished. I don't like the maxspect because it doesn't offer a full spectrum. Just whites and blues. I currently have an AI sol over my 30g nuvo and I like it but I feel broadening the spectrum would help.

I haven't seen the Nanobox lights but I did look at the pacific sun stuff and really liked it. I just cant find too many pics and what not and it's more expensive than the radion.

SloppyJ · Feb 11, 2014

zibba said:
I just mounted a Hydra52 over my 36x30x22 tank this past weekend. I'm very early in acclimation mode so the intensity is turned down but I'm hopeful that one unit will be sufficient. It should help that the aquascape is such that the light-demanding corals are placed in a 24x24 area with low-light corals on the skirts of the tank -- I also try not to place anything too close to the edge of the tank so I can clean it. I'll try to get some new pictures of the set-up in my build thread ASAP.

I've seen the new Radion's in action, they're very nice. I don't think you can go wrong with either the Radion Gen3's or the Hydra52. Both good options. If you want to keep it under $1000, you can always retrofit 2xT5s or add a Reefbrite strip to supplement the main LED fixture. Just another option.

I'm very interested in the Hydra 52 right now. I have an AI sol now and I like it a lot. Please keep us updated. How is the coverage when you turn the power up?

1.0reef · Feb 11, 2014

nanoboxreef.com
great lights

KorL · Feb 12, 2014

I have a 40x40x19H cube. I'm leaning toward (2) Hydra 52's

zibba · Feb 12, 2014

SloppyJ said:
I'm very interested in the Hydra 52 right now. I have an AI sol now and I like it a lot. Please keep us updated. How is the coverage when you turn the power up?

I just posted a few shots and a few videos here. Hopefully it will give you a decent idea on coverage. At 11" above the water, I'd say it's covering a 30x30 area.