Lighting for a RS 525XL suggestions?

[NoWaiAma]

as the title says. Or just grab the deluxe more w/3 hydra 26s? Opinions? Suggestions?
Price is the least important factor but is considered.

Thanks

 

[mcarroll]

Price is the least important factor but is considered.

You can't say that and not tell us what the other more important factors are!!!

Nothing wrong with the Hydra setup if you like it.

But I don't know why you're second guessing it.

Instead, you could run Kessil, Current USA, black boxes, Radions, DIY, Maxspect, AI, Hamilton, Reefbrite, GHL, Orphek or Finnex, depending on your criteria. (Who'd I miss...)

 

[NoWaiAma]

My only experience is a 28 with a AI prime. I see people swear by all different lights. I’d say my other factors would be heat (halides..) and ease of setup, scheduling. There will be a full apex. I’m just looking for experienced opinions. I’ve debated the hydras and also radion xr30 pros with t5

 

[NoWaiAma]

I’d get 3 radions, what kind of coral do you want?

I’m such a fan of softies. But I’d like the ability to tackle acro.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I had a very similar tank, 120g at 5' long. I used a Reef Breeders Photon V2 (the 50" version) and it was great for everything. My tank started as mostly branching and plating sps and at a year I was starting to frag as colonies were getting to be good size. Then my chiller went on a one nigth bender and chilled my water down below 60F and every stick and plate was white skeleton by the end of the first day. So I shifted to mostly zoas and rock flower anemones (and the few encrusting sps and lps that survived). They did great as well.

And now the Photon V2+ has a better sunrise/sunset ability as it adjusts intensity every 6 minutes. And as the V2 did, it has Cree and OSRAM 3w &5w leds. PAR isn't an issue with this fixture. And it runs so cool the fans only kick on if you run it at very high intensity. I did 80% on both blue channels and 30% on the white and my fixture felt like room temperature to the touch and no noise! Oh, and PAR at the sand was 200.

20170223_155902 by Ron Lindensmith, on Flickr

 

[NoWaiAma]

I had a very similar tank, 120g at 5' long. I used a Reef Breeders Photon V2 (the 50" version) and it was great for everything. My tank started as mostly branching and plating sps and at a year I was starting to frag as colonies were getting to be good size. Then my chiller went on a one nigth bender and chilled my water down below 60F and every stick and plate was white skeleton by the end of the first day. So I shifted to mostly zoas and rock flower anemones (and the few encrusting sps and lps that survived). They did great as well.

And now the Photon V2+ has a better sunrise/sunset ability as it adjusts intensity every 6 minutes. And as the V2 did, it has Cree and OSRAM 3w &5w leds. PAR isn't an issue with this fixture. And it runs so cool the fans only kick on if you run it at very high intensity. I did 80% on both blue channels and 30% on the white and my fixture felt like room temperature to the touch and no noise! Oh, and PAR at the sand was 200.

20170223_155902 by Ron Lindensmith, on Flickr

A new contender. Thank you. Will look in to.

 

[redpine42]

I remember looking at putting together the hydras through a separate buy, and it ended up much more expensive than buying with Red Sea. Also, interested in what other options are available.

I haven't setup my tank yet, but the hydra app is pretty good, from playing with the ones Red Sea sent with the tank.

 

[NoWaiAma]

(Absolutely beautiful tanks)

 

[Mako61]

I use the GHL Mitras LX7s very happy with them.

 

[NoWaiAma]

I use the GHL Mitras LX7s very happy with them.

Nice spread