Lighting Suggestions Needed

[oreo54]

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

2 suggestions 1) There is no guarantee one can match a light after a few years if that's how long it takes to upgrade.. At least not w/ LED's Buying crudely dimming t5's or the like is probably a better option.
Point is "looking into the future" is not always the thing to do.
Besides things change rapidly nowadays..

2) Mitras is doing the "future proof" thing..so you may want to look in that direction

Mitras LX7 Series - GHL Advanced Technology

www.aquariumcomputer.com

Future-proof: Interchangeable LED Clusters​

All Mitras Luminaires are designed with upgradeability in mind. Each type of Mitras can be equipped with any matching LED-cluster type (mixing LX 6 and LX 7 clusters is not possible).
This type of technology gives you the flexibility to swap LED clusters and benefit from the latest technological developments.

BUT even that is a risk..

 

[aquaman3680]

The more and more I'm looking at it, it seems like the Kessil a360X may be the way to go for me. I really love the shimmer they give off, reminds me of the halides I had back in the day. Do you think 2 is enough to get me started? I suppose I can always add more if needed down the road.

 

[Spare time]

The more and more I'm looking at it, it seems like the Kessil a360X may be the way to go for me. I really love the shimmer they give off, reminds me of the halides I had back in the day. Do you think 2 is enough to get me started? I suppose I can always add more if needed down the road.

2 is fine to start. You can always add another or some Reef brites/t5 too.

 

[aquaman3680]

2 is fine to start. You can always add another or some Reef brites/t5 too.

Awesome, thanks for the input. I'll probably go that route with the tank mount and wifi controller for both of them!

 

[Spare time]

Awesome, thanks for the input. I'll probably go that route with the tank mount and wifi controller for both of them!

I'm jealous, that's what I want on my tank. The only thing I am unsure of is how much stress that puts on the glass but other than that it is my personal ideal setup.

 

[rtparty]

In all honesty, if you go into Kessils thinking halides, you will be sorely disappointed on many levels

 

[aquaman3680]

In all honesty, if you go into Kessils thinking halides, you will be sorely disappointed on many levels

How so? I was really just talking Halides in terms of the shimmer they give off.

I'm not really looking to grow SPS more than just answer single monti cap or something like that. It'll mostly be anemones and softies.

 

[aquaman3680]

I'm jealous, that's what I want on my tank. The only thing I am unsure of is how much stress that puts on the glass but other than that it is my personal ideal setup.

I didn't think about putting stress on the glass, will definitely look into that.

 

[jsker]

It took me awhile to decide on the lights for my current system, after starting off with the OrbitMarine lights. I looked at the Radons, black boxes, Kessels, T5's, Hybrid T5's with LEDs. I finally went with two AI Hydra 26hd's in 2016. It is now 2022, the Hydra 26hd's are going strong.

I also looked at the AI primes, but the primes did not have enough power to penetrate down to the bottom of my tank and I would have had to have 4 on my 48 x 18 72 gal bowfront.

In the past Six years I have look around and was thinking I might change out my lights or go to a Hybrid T5's with my current Hydra 26hd's, that is not going to happen now.

Kessel light are nice for smaller shallower systems, but you would also have to go with 3 to 4 Kessel for a 48" tank and you would not get the par you need for a 21" deep tank.

If I were going to upgrade, I would either upgrade to 2 each Hydra 32hd's or 2 each Mitras LX 7204 lights. The only reason I would upgrade from Hydra 26 hd's to the 32's is for newer technology. I agree with @oreo5457, the Mitras are pretty close to a Metal halide and adding without the heat, build Replacement, and cost of electric. Another reason I stay away from T5's, build replacement, ballast issue over time.

AI and Echotech are the same company, like GMC and Cadillac. Hydra's being GMC and Radons being Cadillac. Both light have the same parts, but the outside looks different and yes the Radons may have a fancier app and settings but very little difference with the light.

Inclosing the Hydra's are with in your budget and with time, if you decide to add coral. You can adjust the light intensity without breaking the bank.

 

[rtparty]

How so? I was really just talking Halides in terms of the shimmer they give off.

I'm not really looking to grow SPS more than just answer single monti cap or something like that. It'll mostly be anemones and softies.

The Kessil shimmer is very heavy and overdone. I had to really limit my surface agitation or it made it hard for me to look at the tank.

For mid to low light stuff, 2 360x will be enough. I preferred mounting a little higher and using the 55° reflector. Softies won't care as much but shadowing will be heavy Kessil as well

 

[Spare time]

The Kessil shimmer is very heavy and overdone. I had to really limit my surface agitation or it made it hard for me to look at the tank.

For mid to low light stuff, 2 360x will be enough. I preferred mounting a little higher and using the 55° reflector. Softies won't care as much but shadowing will be heavy Kessil as well

If OP gets the reef brites on the side, the shimmer will be toned down

 

[Spare time]

I think that, when those say 2x a360x won't work on that tank, that is assuming you need a ton of par or be able to keep every type of coral at every depth. Corals do very well with 50-200 and the kessils will provide that. Now if you are wanting those ridiculously named sps that people like, then you may need higher par to keep that insane color. Most corals don't need, nor desire, high par values (hence why many in the wild in shallow water can only photosynthesis at dust and dawn). Plus, you aren't being forced to keep sps at the bottom half of the tank so there's no reason you should do so if you get the kessils.

 

[aquaman3680]

The Kessil shimmer is very heavy and overdone. I had to really limit my surface agitation or it made it hard for me to look at the tank.

For mid to low light stuff, 2 360x will be enough. I preferred mounting a little higher and using the 55° reflector. Softies won't care as much but shadowing will be heavy Kessil as well

Shadowing was always pretty high with the halides as well and the shimmer on the tank was insane. If needed I can certainly limit the surface agitation to limit the shimmering as well.

 

[aquaman3680]

I think that, when those say 2x a360x won't work on that tank, that is assuming you need a ton of par or be able to keep every type of coral at every depth. Corals do very well with 50-200 and the kessils will provide that. Now if you are wanting those ridiculously named sps that people like, then you may need higher par to keep that insane color. Most corals don't need, nor desire, high par values (hence why many in the wild in shallow water can only photosynthesis at dust and dawn). Plus, you aren't being forced to keep sps at the bottom half of the tank so there's no reason you should do so if you get the kessils.

For sure, at this point, I'm not looking to keep SPS, that may certainly change in the future, but for now that's not my focus at all. At the bottom of the tank, the only thing I'd really like to be able to keep would be a Long Tentacle Anemone, and it doesn't seem like the Kessil lights would have a problem with being able to do that.

 

[Spare time]

For sure, at this point, I'm not looking to keep SPS, that may certainly change in the future, but for now that's not my focus at all. At the bottom of the tank, the only thing I'd really like to be able to keep would be a Long Tentacle Anemone, and it doesn't seem like the Kessil lights would have a problem with being able to do that.

2 of the 360x will be on the lower end of the par levels for the long tentacle but I'd imagine it would be ok.

I think what would help is if you look at these videos below. This is the most complete series of lighting comparisons that I know of. It misses a few other brands but is a great resource. Hopefully these will help you pick the right choice.

 

[Borgan weekend reef]

Start with @noopsyche can save a lot.They're on sale right now, I'm about to get some. If you would like to figure out the controller

 

[Borgan weekend reef]

;Bored

 

[aquaman3680]

Start with @noopsyche can save a lot.They're on sale right now, I'm about to get some. If you would like to figure out the controller

I haven't seen those lights, will have to check them out.