Looking at buying an LED lighting system need some help

[Andrea Rickman]

Hi! I found an Ecoxotic programmable E Series E-120 LED Strip for my 75gal set up and am wondering if there is anyone out there that has used this system that might have some reliable opinions on it.

 

[twilliard]

It all depends on the animals you want to keep

 

[Duke4Life]

It all depends on the animals you want to keep

+1

 

[Andrea Rickman]

It all depends on the animals you want to keep

My intention is to build a full reef ecosystem...LPS, SPS, anemones, invertebrates, fish....

 

[Andrea Rickman]

I just set up the tank last week so my canvas is blank so far...

 

[Duke4Life]

Then that won't work alone for what you want.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

Then that won't work alone for what you want.

...But a good place to start?...I still have the T5 hood that came with it, too.

 

[Duke4Life]

...But a good place to start?...I still have the T5 hood that came with it, too.

Is price a factor? There's the marine orbit pro that is similar and better.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

Is price a factor? There's the marine orbit pro that is similar and better.

...Unfortunately, yes. I wish I could say that I have a wad of cash ready to drop on this whole project of mine, but my single mom/single income does have it's limits.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

Really, I just need a 'starter' set-up to help establish the coral. I will be starting with that...the critters and fish will come later, I think.

 

[Duke4Life]

Really, I just need a 'starter' set-up to help establish the coral. I will be starting with that...the critters and fish will come later, I think.

Check out the light I mentioned.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

Check out the light I mentioned.

That is a cool set up...might have to sell a child...

 

[Duke4Life]

That is a cool set up...might have to sell a child...

Lol..... So this t5 setup that came with, is it more than 1 bulb?
The pic below shows my 125g with t5s and LEDs to show you a difference:

 

[Justiful]

Really, I just need a 'starter' set-up to help establish the coral. I will be starting with that...the critters and fish will come later, I think.

http://fluvalaquatics.com/us/saltwater/aquarium-lighting/series/marine-and-reef-2/

Get one to start.

It competes with the marine orbit pro and is less money. (the controller for fluval though is sold seperately and cost 50 bucks. But it's controller is more advanced then the one for orbit. Full control and an app for android and IOS.) It is usable without the controller manually if cost is an issue now you can wait on it.

Plus you can get more PAR by getting another unit if one isn't enough, as two can link to the controller. So get one now for most LPS and soft corals. Then upgrade latter if you want high light requirement corals.

I currently run a marine and reef 2.0 ... it is growing corals. So it isn't horrible.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

Lol..... So this t5 setup that came with, is it more than 1 bulb?
The pic below shows my 125g with t5s and LEDs to show you a difference:

It's a two bulb setup...not sure what colors because I need to fix it. Which is why I'm contemplating switching to LED...I was told that the fixture needs to be rebuilt (ballast and bulbs). So, if I'm going to have to spend over $150 anyway, I want that investment to have the biggest bang for the buck, ya know.

 

[Andrea Rickman]

http://fluvalaquatics.com/us/saltwater/aquarium-lighting/series/marine-and-reef-2/

Get one to start.

It competes with the marine orbit pro and is less money. (the controller for fluval though is sold seperately and cost 50 bucks. But it's controller is more advanced then the one for orbit. Full control and an app for android and IOS.) It is usable without the controller manually if cost is an issue now you can wait on it.

Plus you can get more PAR by getting another unit if one isn't enough, as two can link to the controller. So get one now for most LPS and soft corals. Then upgrade latter if you want high light requirement corals.

I currently run a marine and reef 2.0 ... it is growing corals. So it isn't horrible.

Thanks! I'll check this out, too. I love that it can be set up using a mobile app...that sounds more practical with a house full of remote losing boys.

 

[Duke4Life]

It's a two bulb setup...not sure what colors because I need to fix it. Which is why I'm contemplating switching to LED...I was told that the fixture needs to be rebuilt (ballast and bulbs). So, if I'm going to have to spend over $150 anyway, I want that investment to have the biggest bang for the buck, ya know.

You're right you could buy a whole new T5 fixture for that.

 

[SoloSuperman]

http://fluvalaquatics.com/us/saltwater/aquarium-lighting/series/marine-and-reef-2/

Get one to start.

It competes with the marine orbit pro and is less money. (the controller for fluval though is sold seperately and cost 50 bucks. But it's controller is more advanced then the one for orbit. Full control and an app for android and IOS.) It is usable without the controller manually if cost is an issue now you can wait on it.

Plus you can get more PAR by getting another unit if one isn't enough, as two can link to the controller. So get one now for most LPS and soft corals. Then upgrade latter if you want high light requirement corals.

I currently run a marine and reef 2.0 ... it is growing corals. So it isn't horrible.

Seems like there's a catch here . I've been looking for a good LED, but the price here seems too good to be true. Anyone else using? Looking for zoanthid growth myself, but a couple of these strip are well within the budget.

 

[gcrance]

Check out our for sale forum. Lots of good used stuff in there from community members some on the cheap some just right. Just have to look through. I personally have these up right now that need a home
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/maxspect-r420r-160w-27.229500/

 

[scardall]

...But a good place to start?...I still have the T5 hood that came with it, too.

Stay with you T-5's they are better than the LED fixture you are considering. They Make Reto-fit kits in the T-5 flavor.