Lighting recommendations for 265 gallon mixed reef

[crusso1993]

No I haven't gotten that far ahead. The common systems like Neptune are like $800 so that's out of the question for now. Im thinking either the viparspectra or SB led system with just basic timers to set the moon and day lights.

That's for the current Neptune and the new one will be coming out some time later this year. I think you would be well served by looking into building a reef pi system for yourself. You can basically control all aspects of your system.

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

That's for the current Neptune and the new one will be coming out some time later this year. I think you would be well served by looking into building a reef pi system for yourself. You can basically control all aspects of your system.

A controller is way down the road. My wife is barely allowing this as it is. Thats something I can always add later. For now im just focused on choosing the cheapest but best equipment.

 

[crusso1993]

A controller is way down the road. My wife is barely allowing this as it is. Thats something I can always add later. For now im just focused on choosing the cheapest but best equipment.

Gotcha!! Just as an FYI - a complete reef pi system can be made for under $200. Just something to keep in the back of your head. Also, if you wanted to set up a reef pi to just control the lights you'd probably be looking at about $50. Then you could always add to it later too.

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Gotcha!! Just as an FYI - a complete reef pi system can be made for under $200. Just something to keep in the back of your head. Also, if you wanted to set up a reef pi to just control the lights you'd probably be looking at about $50. Then you could always add to it later too.

Can you recommend any brands?

 

[familiar1985]

If you like Kessil (look), for a mixed reef I think a good setup would be, 6 kessil a360x spaced 12" apart w/ t5s front an back. The coverage should be very even and with the kessils you will be able to place all lighting close to water so you'll get more efficiency from your t5s.

BRS has some good info on youtube on the new kessils (par measurements etc..). I just got a set of 4 kessil a360x for a 48 x 20 x 8 acro grow out tank but haven't installed yet. I use Radions on another frag tank but I mount them high, on this tank I have to mount them close to the water so Kessils spread looks better, especially supplemented with t5.

Color and shimmer wise, I personally prefer the Radions.

 

[ca1ore]

I used an older version of the viparspectra. It grew corals just fine, but mine mostly failed after less than 2 years - I guess you get what you pay for. I then moved to the v1 of the ReefBreeders photon. Those were fine and I used two 32”and one 24” over my ML 265. Also grew corals just fine. I’ve since moved gradually to a combination of Kessil and Radion over my now 450. I have a number of 360 that are running fine atill after 3 years, but also some failures. I like the radions most, but they’re expensive. BTW, I think most lighting coverage recommendations are absurd .... unless you actually want lots of light falling on the front panel and into the room or want to pack frags from front to back (I do not).

 

[crusso1993]

@CoreyWakefield123 - the Viparspectra numbers are up on the study and the lights put out some serious par!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-real-black-box-light-study.503052/page-27#post-5579405

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

@CoreyWakefield123 - the Viparspectra numbers are up on the study and the lights put out some serious par!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-real-black-box-light-study.503052/page-27#post-5579405

Wow! For sure what I'll be using

 

[crusso1993]

Wow! For sure what I'll be using

Happy to be a little help!

Please make sure to let me know when you start your build thread. I'm interested in following along!

 

[Seame]

I am going to be purchasing a marineland 265 gallon 84" x 24" x 30" soon. I have straight LEDs on my smaller tank with a retrofit DIY kit from Rapidled.com. Once the tank is in I plan on leaving it in darkness for 3 months running (so no rush on buying lights). I am learning that a T5 LED combo is the new thing. Can you all recommend some options? I've looked at the possibly the aquatic life T5 fixture that has 4 T5s and mounting brackets for LEDs like Kessil A360, AI Prime/26/52 and the Ecotech XR30/XR15.

I've heard the Kessil A360 die just past the 2 year warranty on many occasions..
I've heard of the AI units going out and customer service always claiming water damage...
The Ecotech would be my choice but I'd probably need 4 to cover the 84", thats a heck of a lot of money.
Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks

Hey I have the same tank. I'm running 3 Giesmann Vervve LEDs and last spring I supplemented with 4 T5s staggered on a retro fit kit. I'm very happy with the color and growth. It was good with just the Giesmann Vervve but everyone was raving about the combo adding T5s so I did and it does help even out lighting.

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Happy to be a little help!

Please make sure to let me know when you start your build thread. I'm interested in following along!

Will do, and I plan on building the stand and canopy so I can post pics as I go but its going to be a slow process

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Hey I have the same tank. I'm running 3 Giesmann Vervve LEDs and last spring I supplemented with 4 T5s staggered on a retro fit kit. I'm very happy with the color and growth. It was good with just the Giesmann Vervve but everyone was raving about the combo adding T5s so I did and it does help even out lighting.

Gorgeous tank! Thats the goal one day!
Btw looks like thats an indo frogspawn, hang on to that one, almost impossible to find now!

 

[Seame]

Gorgeous tank! Thats the goal one day!
Btw looks like thats an indo frogspawn, hang on to that one, almost impossible to find now!

Thank you.

I didn't think about that on the frogspawn with the no ship on Indo corals right now. I have three good size pcs and sold one large one for 80 bucks a month ago. I've had this for at least three years and every year I usually have a large pc of 15-20 heads to get rid of because it's taking up too much space.

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Id

Thank you.

I didn't think about that on the frogspawn with the no ship on Indo corals right now. I have three good size pcs and sold one large one for 80 bucks a month ago. I've had this for at least three years and every year I usually have a large pc of 15-20 heads to get rid of because it's taking up too much space.

I'd be interested if you want to get rid of some

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Id

Thank you.

I didn't think about that on the frogspawn with the no ship on Indo corals right now. I have three good size pcs and sold one large one for 80 bucks a month ago. I've had this for at least three years and every year I usually have a large pc of 15-20 heads to get rid of because it's taking up too much space.

I'd be interested if you want to get rid of some

 

[CoreyWakefield123]

Hey I have the same tank. I'm running 3 Giesmann Vervve LEDs and last spring I supplemented with 4 T5s staggered on a retro fit kit. I'm very happy with the color and growth. It was good with just the Giesmann Vervve but everyone was raving about the combo adding T5s so I did and it does help even out lighting.

What color t5s did you get? I like the color of your lights

 

[Jay Norris]

So if you had to choose between Kessil, Ecotech or AI which one would you choose? Those are the only ones that fit it? Keep in mind I want to grow coral but I'm trying to cut cost wherever I can or my wife is going to kill me in my sleep

None, I would chose Mitra's or Orpheks.

 

[Seame]

What color t5s did you get? I like the color of your lights

ATI Blue Plus, most of the highly successful SPS Acropora tanks locally are using these with reefbrights.