Lights for a 48x18x24

[Tyler Bullock]

Should I go with 3 x AI Hydra 26's or 3 x XR15's.

Going to run SPS

I might do 2 bars of T5. But mainly want to decide on 26's or 15's!!

 

[Geebs19]

For the price of 3 XR15s, have you thought of 2 Hydra 52s?

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Sadly I hadn't even thought of that

 

[Bos]

Do you have Reeflink already, if so, Radion maybe wiser, just to make use of the Reeflink

AI 26HD is I believe already wifi enable, so you can control/set/sync without additional component.

Would you need 3x 26HD if you are planning on for example Aquatic Life t5/hybrid fixture?

A quick look at BRS for approx prices not including mounts/hanging hooks:
3 26HD=$1050
3 xr15s=$1200
2 26HD+ and a 48in Aquatic Life T5/LED=$1040
2 52HD=$1200 (as Geebs19 said above, two 52HD same price as 3 XR15s, actually less, because you only need 2 AI mounts $75 each instead of 3 Radion mounts @ $90 each)

 

[gerards_reef]

Wouldn't an orphek panel work for this size tank?

 

[Actup85]

I've been useing the aquatic life t5 hybrid with 2 prime hds on my 90 sps dominated for last 4 months and have got great growth color and encrusting

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I've been useing the aquatic life t5 hybrid with 2 prime hds on my 90 sps dominated for last 4 months and have got great growth color and encrusting

This does sound really good as well. What t5 bulbs are you using?

To answer other questions, I do not have a reeflink already. I do have an AI prime on my 13.5 tank. So I am very familiar with AI set up.

 

[RCS82]

So many options here. Radions, AI, Kessils, Mitras. All are great but Orphek would be my top choice right now for lighting a standard 4 ft 90 with LEDs. 2 of the compact Atlantic v4 fixtures rather than one full size unit also. Might not even need t5s then.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Orphek are quite expensive aren't they?

 

[Actup85]

This does sound really good as well. What t5 bulbs are you using?

To answer other questions, I do not have a reeflink already. I do have an AI prime on my 13.5 tank. So I am very familiar with AI set up.

2 blue plus 1 purple and one coral

 

[Oldreefer44]

1 $899 Orphek V4 would work which is much cheaper than the radions and a little cheaper than the al hydras. Suggest watching the BRS videos on them.

 

[Scorpius]

T5's/metal halide for sps. Use led for supplementation.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

1 $899 Orphek V4 would work which is much cheaper than the radions and a little cheaper than the al hydras. Suggest watching the BRS videos on them.

I watched the video, it is a very nice option, I would have to get the wireless capability with it though.

There are just too many options!!

 

[hart24601]

I would go with 2 orphek compacts personally. I don't think there is a better light. Later on if you feed the need with 2ft acro colonys you could add orphek bar or t5, but I wouldn't count on needing it.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I would go with 2 orphek compacts personally. I don't think there is a better light. Later on if you feed the need with 2ft acro colonys you could add orphek bar or t5, but I wouldn't count on needing it.

How easy would it be to mount the orphek in a hood? I can't hang them.

 

[hart24601]

If you look closely the top has holes for the metal s that mounting kit uses. I don't see why couldn't just screw hooks in a hood and use that but I don't know 100%. I am using two kessil tank mounts I extended and drilled the hole a bit larger but many options

 

[Amoo]

T5's/metal halide for sps. Use led for supplementation.

This thread was about 2 different LED options, if you'd like to discuss MH/T5, please do so in an appropriate thread.

To the OP:

I have 3 AI 26 and an Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid on a 48x24x12 that will soon be a 48x24x20. Personally I feel the spectrum of the new Radions is better than the older AIs, but as many have commented and I agree with, I would go with the Orpheks if in the budget.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

Looks like I will need to do more research on the Orphek lights. They do look rather cool. I'm assuming you can control the lights without the wireless adapter. Would you just plug it into the computer to change the intensity? Or is it directly on the device itself?

 

[hart24601]

Sadly you need the wiress adapter from what I know.

 

[Bos]

thanks guys, I'll take a closer look at the Orpheks.
The more research one does, the more options there are and that urge to stretch my budget more....