Lighting upgrade

[Nemoose]

i currently have a 4x39w t5 light, half 10k/half actinic, on my 30 gallon reef. The tamk is 36 x 12 x 16 with a 3" sand bed. So the deepest the corals would be is 13" and most would be on rock above that. I have GSP, xenia and finger leahers. I am thinking about upgrading to an led fixtures. How, many watts would I need to allow me to keep LPS and SPS? Any. particular brand you suggest? I don't necessarily want to buy the most expenxsive one available, just decent quality for what I want to keep.

 

[kmaintl]

A lot of the local reefers here in the Bay Area are getting Kessil LED fixtures. Kessil is a Bay Area company and a lot of us are supporting their product. For your setup, 2x A150w would look great. They're about $265/ea. Comes in 4 colors, most reefers like the 14,000K-15,000K look called Ocean Blue.

 

[Nemoose]

That seems a little extreme for a 30 gallon.

 

[kmaintl]

Personally, I like your T5 setup and wouldn't switch.

 

[Nemoose]

Well it is an Odyssea t5 with crappy reflector and cheap ballasts. So far it is doing well with what I have but I am nervous about anything more demanding light wise. I have a large BTA and it is at the top of the tank on my overflow box. I think it is a little light starved, but it is doing ok where it is right under the light.

 

[kmaintl]

I only suggest good LEDs because you wanted to move towards SPS, which is more light demanding. I actually prefer to stay with T5s for a 3ft tank. If you want to upgrade to a better, but still a good value T5 fixture, I would go with AquaticLife 4x39w unit, it's around $339 and comes with it's own timer for each set of light plus blue LED moonlights on separate timer too.

 

[Nemoose]

Ok thats sounds interesting. Thanks for the advice

 

[kmaintl]

the only thing bad about the aquacticlife fixtures is they have the lousiest bulbs, not worth anything. i would suggest you get a couple of ATI aquablue specials and blueplus instead. since no one likes to waste $$$ when a fixture comes with free bulbs, sell those suckers to someone who has a fish only tank.

 

[NanaReefer]

+1 on the AquaticLife fixtures! Been running the 4x24w T5HO with all ATI lamps for almost 2 yrs. Awesome fixture! Never an issue. Plus AquaticLife has wonderful customer service! You cannot go wrong with them

 

[ReefLEDLights]

Have you considered a DIY LED Fixture?

If you DIY you can choose the latest LEDs and save 1/2 - 1/3 off a factory fixture.

45 LED XT-E LEDs on a 24" heatsink will give you the coverage and the same PAR as a 250 Watt MH

Bill

 

[Nemoose]

I found an ATI 36" 4x39W fixture for $350. If I am going to have to replace the bulbs anyway, would it be better to just buy this fixture with the better bulbs?

 

[Poseidon]

Regardless of the T5 fixture you buy, I would get new bulbs. This way you know how old the bulbs are, AND you get pick the color you want. T5 bulbs need to be replaced about every 9-12 months, so getting a new fixture with old bulbs... you still have old bulbs.