Lighting Recommendation for a Red Sea Reefer 250

[ejalimagno]

I dont want any limitations when it comes to corals thats why im really struggling with the lighting decision.

Would (2) Kessils be sufficient?

2 kessils over a 250 would be more than enough. It is the strongest lighting available im my opinion. I bet you wouldnt even get past 60% intensity on it. [emoji23] i swear by kessils by experience.

 

[Brzilla]

I'll receive my reefer 250 soon as well. Going for mixed reef. Thinking of the Kessil AP700, but heard the intensity needs to be dialed down quite a bit. If I can get away with 2 Kessil A160's + spectral controller on max intensity I would save myself $500. Thoughts?

 

[Water Dog]

I think for a mixed reef you'd be perfectly fine with 2 a160s. I believe @pelphrey runs his Reefer 250 with 2 a160s. There's also a guy from the U.K. on YouTube, Nathan Willard that runs an absolutely gorgeous mixed reef 250 with 2 a160s as well. Here's one of his YouTube videos.


My suggestions for the OP are based on his price point and the requirement of no limitations for corals, which to me means wall to wall acros! Thus, my recommendations are centered around shadow reduction (a real problem for LED lighting) as SPS grow into mature colonies.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/kessil-360-shadow-proof.203585/

 

[Cscultho]

Above the range you listed, if you consider kessil look at the ap700.

The AP700 is on my list of lights. The more research i do the more i like the light.

@Water Dog - Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge...!

 

[pelphrey]

Correct, I am running two 160's on my reefer 250. They are controlled by my Apex via the VDM port. For now they are fine, the lights may not provide the best spread as I add coral's and the coral's grow with my rock work. At some point I'll be replacing the 160's with the AP700. I simply want a single slim fixture and I want to hang it from the ceiling.

 

[ejalimagno]

I'll receive my reefer 250 soon as well. Going for mixed reef. Thinking of the Kessil AP700, but heard the intensity needs to be dialed down quite a bit. If I can get away with 2 Kessil A160's + spectral controller on max intensity I would save myself $500. Thoughts?

Its not about intensity. At least that's what i thought too at first. I planned on getting the a160 figured meh im just going to crank it up since i wont be hitting the higher settings if i use the a360we. To cut the story short its about the par reading. 360's lower settings can reach the bottom of your tank than the 160's higher setting depending on tank depth. What you're looking for is the light's ability to penetrate. Also, leds tend to lose its output overtime so getting the ap700 would last longer. Set it low and if ever the time comes you can crank it up.

 

[jason2459]

The 32" Photon V2 lights are more than adequate for your Reefer 250 IMO and Logan at Reef Breeders has excellent customer service and support. I believe @jason2459 just bought them for his 180 gallon tank, and that dude is a veritable wealth of information when it comes to reef keeping on these forums. Note however, although they are very programmable, it has step ramping in 30 minute intervals as opposed to smooth ramping from dawn to dusk.

Sorry, didn't respond sooner. I was busy this weekend with family and doing this

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...nd-t5-installation-testing-and-review.292314/