Looking for LED Recommendation

[sluicebox]

I am looking for LEDs to replace the PCs I have on my 75 gallon reef tank. I'm dismantling and moving the 75 to another room in the house and I think it would be a great time to upgrade the lighting to LEDs. The tank is 48x18x22. I will be using this tank for misc. mixed reef stuff but mostly LPS and SPS.

I've researched the suppliers on the internet and found all sorts of choices and with my level of ignorance, I need help. Any suggestions or guidance? I would attempt a DYI project and I can solder and assemble but, like I said, my level of knowledge is pretty low. Also, I'm a little lazy so it might be better to purchase something already made.

Any guidance or advice is appreciated.

 

[palvyre]

I would get two of the Apollo Reef Acti-red fixtures for that tank. He recommends 1 per 24" of tank. I really enjoy mine. That is what you saw running above my tank and only at 50% intensity.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Be carefull with red leds they promote algae growth


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[palvyre]

It only has a 2-3 reds per fixture to accentuate coral coloration. They also have their original dimmable fixture that doesn't have red if you don't want that color in your fixture. The Acti-red fixture also includes some true actnic spectrum lighting as well.

 

[sluicebox]

Thanks, I noticed yours last night and might to ask but was a little concerned about getting the fish in the tank. Your setup looks really great.

 

[sluicebox]

Just read that the Apollo fixtures are not supported for connection with a Reefkeeper controller. That's what I have to control this tank.

 

[Giancarlo]

I have a kessil A150 and AI sol blue. Kessil for its cost is a great light, but I noticed the colours seem to lack with sps, I have had this unit for just under a year now. The AI sol on the other hand (about 2 months) has really impressed me, for both growth and coloration. It is only used for digi's and stylo's but it really brought out the colour, and the growth (both tanks are on the same water system, AI sol has weaker flow). I will move on to more light demanding corals and see how it goes.

 

[palvyre]

Just read that the Apollo fixtures are not supported for connection with a Reefkeeper controller. That's what I have to control this tank.

Yeah, that's true. I use Apex Jr with mine and a VDM module.

 

[tinctorus]

Be carefull with red leds they promote algae growth


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What about True Violet led's?
I ask because I am getting ready to setup a Mr Aqua 7.5 gallon cube "12x12" and am going to be using a makersled heatsink that is 6x6 and will be using 6 Cree 3up stars with 2 RB leds and 1 NW led as well as 6 True Violet led's run off of 2 Invetronics 40W CC drivers with dimmers on each
I have heard that Violet led's will bring out the red's,green's and blue's of the corals but have not heard anything about algae growth from them

 

[ToXIc]

My recommendation is do a hybrid system. T5 and LEDs. Does the 75g have a hood?


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[Dowtish]

another question is: how much are you willing to spend?

 

[sluicebox]

Of course, I want the most bang for the buck but my wife has not given me a budget and the less she knows the better.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

What about True Violet led's?
I ask because I am getting ready to setup a Mr Aqua 7.5 gallon cube "12x12" and am going to be using a makersled heatsink that is 6x6 and will be using 6 Cree 3up stars with 2 RB leds and 1 NW led as well as 6 True Violet led's run off of 2 Invetronics 40W CC drivers with dimmers on each
I have heard that Violet led's will bring out the red's,green's and blue's of the corals but have not heard anything about algae growth from them

On the violet leds i think you have to go with like 410 nm but im not sure. There is an article that show the safe nm number to use. People say that if you use violet with the wrong nm that it could cause eye damage on fish and damage on corals. But search on goole and see if you can find the article that talks a out it.


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[.AcroKiller.]

What about True Violet led's?
I ask because I am getting ready to setup a Mr Aqua 7.5 gallon cube "12x12" and am going to be using a makersled heatsink that is 6x6 and will be using 6 Cree 3up stars with 2 RB leds and 1 NW led as well as 6 True Violet led's run off of 2 Invetronics 40W CC drivers with dimmers on each
I have heard that Violet led's will bring out the red's,green's and blue's of the corals but have not heard anything about algae growth from them

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/wow-wow-wow-how-to-make-your-corals-pop-with-leds-190299-2.html


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[sluicebox]

I do not have a canopy on the tank but I do have the hood where the PCs are currently located.

My recommendation is do a hybrid system. T5 and LEDs. Does the 75g have a hood?



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[Dowtish]

2 AI Sols would be my recommendation.

 

[angrycubano]

It also depends on what kind of SPS you want to keep. I say always prepare for the highest demanding SPS and go from there. You really need to have a budget in mind like Chris stated and I agree with Kevan in that a T5/LED combo is probably the best. I've seen some people that run LEDs only add some T5 to supplement. If you really don't want to DIY there are killer T5 fixtures out there for a good price and many people are selling their's due to the LED crave. I say now it's a good time to get a used T5 fixture for a really good price and buy high quality bulbs. Chris has a killer T5 fixture from a really cool dude, for a great price and his corals look awesome.