Lighting Suggestion

[sundog101]

I have a 93 gallon cube with currently one kessil a160. Heres what what I'm trying to decide

-If I added a AI Hydra 26 with the a160, would that be enough to cover the tank?
-Bite the bullet and get a kessil AP700

Im not going for a full blown sps tank. I'll mostly have lps with some sps near the top.

 

[mcarroll]

You might technically meet the right numbers with those two lights, but it sounds like a weird combo to match and I think it might be minimal once you go off paper.

I think the AP700 is the better answer by far.....but you might want two of them someday.

Also, going from $350 to $900 is a pretty big jump in budget....any other solutions in the middle being considered?

 

[sundog101]

You might technically meet the right numbers with those two lights, but it sounds like a weird combo to match and I think it might be minimal once you go off paper.

That's what I was thinking.
I've considered going with t5, but long term I don't think it would be any cheaper.

 

[sundog101]

I've been doing a ton of research and really like the led/t5 hybrid idea. I'm thinking four 24w t5's (2 on each side. In the middle would be the kessil(s). Now my next question:
-use one a360
-use two a160s
I know the a360 would probably be preferred, but since I already have an a160, could I just add another one?

 

[mcarroll]

Hybrid = indecision IMO, but what is your thinking for it in your case?


It seems like it should be simple without a need for half-steps:

• If you like T5 light or believe it offers some benefit that other lights don't, then just go ahead and get a T5 fixture. They work. Up-front costs can be less. And you like them! (Right?)
• If you consider the downsides to T5 (power use, mercury in the environment, hassle of bulb changes, cost of bulb changes, etc) to be important, then you should stay with LED's
• If cost is not a priority, then why not stay on the track you're on (i.e. Kessil) and either
  • ...add three 160's for a total of four – four takes care of coverage, but the 160 is at the edge of its class here for power, IMO, so fewer may not cut it.
  • ...switch to two or three 360's – lots of power; coverage over a 30" span in two dimensions is the trick
  • It would be great if they sold an AP500. Two AP700's would be great coverage-wise, but excessive on the power
• If cost is a priority, then there are many, many less expensive LED systems you could consider that will still get the job done well.

A standard 75 or 90 gallon tank has the same surface area to light as you, albeit it a different shape. You can still guage your spec list by Kessil's recommendations here:
http://www.kessil.com/aquarium/getting.php

Or from their A150 Calculator here:
http://www.kessil.com/aquarium/calculator.php

In a nutshell, they say three 160's or two 360's (or three 360N's) is minimal for a standard mixed reef. I'd be comfortable going with any of their recommendations +1 fixture.

 

[gus6464]

Wait for a dr fosters coupon on Kessil so you can get the AP700.

 

[sundog101]

Hybrid = indecision

That's a good way to put it. I keep changing my mind and I'm probably way overthinking this. I like t5's because there simple, proven, and effective. However, I don't like the cost of replacing bulbs every year. It seems like you get the best of both worlds (sort of) with a hybrid What other less expensive leds would you recommend?

 

[mcarroll]

I keep changing my mind

That's only a problem if you had to buy something right now. Since you have time, it's just part of the fun.

It seems like you get the best of both worlds (sort of) with a hybrid

You get the worst of both worlds too...there is no free lunch, as usual. Unless you really need both, I would pick one.

What other less expensive leds would you recommend?

Well, taking Gus's advice and waiting for a sale is never a bad option.....patience is a great way to get a "less expensive" LED.

I'm really not picky...I use a Maxspect Razor on one tank and a $40 DIY design on the the other....both grow about the same corals. I obsess over growing corals big and happy, and that's really not that hard to do. Generally speaking, they look GREAT when they're growing big and happy. All that is to say, is we can probably help you set up about any light to work properly.

No matter which light you choose, using a light meter is crucial. Get one if you don'y yet have one. Start with a lux meter if a PAR meter is not in the budget and unavailable.

You can search the forum for threads on it, or click these tags (#lux #meter) or just go online somewhere and buy an "LX-1010B" lux meter like mine. (It's a basic, inexpensive model, with a corded sensor.)

If you want to add an LED that's similar to the light from T5's, then consider LED strips like the TrueLumen Pro and Orbit Marine Pro.....or at the higher end, take a look at GHL's Lightbar2.

Maxspect's Razor or something like the SBreeflights wouldn't be bad "similar" options.

 

[mcarroll]

#lux

 

[mcarroll]

Weird how that tag didn't "link up" in post #8....anyone else see that too?

 

[sundog101]

I did some research on lux and that makes me feel a lot better with any light haha. A lot of light manufactures don't post par rating, just coverage, so it feels like your kind of taking a shot in the dark with intensity.
Do you think diy LEDs work pretty well? I made a diy light for my algae scrubber, but I'm kind unsure with the main lights because of the spectrum and I had no way of measuring par (but it seems with lux you can get a rough idea). As far as corals go, I'm not too picky with color. As long as I'm getting good growth and they're happy, I'm happy.