Maxspect RSX lights, unpopular?

[Ribo15]

Just a question to which I’m not sure there is a good answer. Bang for your buck to light a large aquarium the RSX 300 seems like a good option but I can’t find many reviews or people running them. Is there a reason for this?

 

[Ludders]

Did you see the BRS lighting showdown? I have an RSX200 squirrelled away, but not set it up yet.

 

[Sailingeric]

I have had one for a couple of years. I found it has done a great job for my LPS and have had no problems once I dialed in the color, power, and timer on it. Like said before, great value IMHO

 

[Casper T.]

Hi

I have a Maxspect 200w on my 300L/80G. I love how easy it is to set the light, when you use the IVC6. But I am a bit uncertain on the intensity and actually also the spectrum. I saw the BSR review of the lamp, and they recommended to run it like this:

A: 64%
B: 80%
C: 80%
D: 48%

But i think it is way to blue. A lot of colors in tank, got "washed" out of the blue light. I have decided to go for:

A: 65%
B: 80%
C: 80%
D: 60%

Does anyone see a problem with these settings.

Br
Casper

 

[Ludders]

Good question and I am just looking at the Maxspect recommendations on the preset function here in the manual and their peak for an SPS dominant tank would be as follows:

A 90%
B 70%
C 70%
D 90%

Have you suspended your light, or is it mounted using the feet?
Also what coral are you planning on keeping? Mixed/LPS dominant/SPS dominant?

 

[Casper T.]

Good question and I am just looking at the Maxspect recommendations on the preset function here in the manual and their peak for an SPS dominant tank would be as follows:

A 90%
B 70%
C 70%
D 90%

Have you suspended your light, or is it mounted using the feet?
Also what coral are you planning on keeping? Mixed/LPS dominant/SPS dominant?

I am using the feets.

I am planning to have a mixed aquarium, and not aiming for difficult SPS. I would like to have a tank, with low maintenance.

Personally I would like to be able to see as many colors, incl. the pink algae on the stones. So I don't like it, when the blue light is to dominant. I would like to see the aquariums, where the blue channels are all up, and the white channels, are only at 20 - 40%. Yes of course the corals pop the colors. But it is like taking a picture of a beatyful forest and then add a filter. Why do that

 

[Ludders]

May I suggest something like this:

TP1 TP2 TP3 TP4 TP5 TP6 TP7 TP8
8am 9am 10am 8pm 8:30pm 9pm 9:30pm 10pm
A 0% 40% 70% 70% 50% 30% 15% 0%
B 0% 20% 55% 55% 20% 10% 5% 0%
C 1% 20% 55% 55% 20% 10% 5% 1%
D 0% 40% 70% 70% 50% 30% 15% 0%

 

[MrDLHughesY]

I have just purchased the rsx200 for my new dd pro reef 900 build so interested to see what others have to say

 

[Ludders]

I have just purchased the rsx200 for my new dd pro reef 900 build so interested to see what others have to say

My recommendation above is derived from preset 1, with lowered peaks on the basis that I am recommending this for a mixed reef and it being mounted via the legs which has the unit quite close to the water and certainly lower than the optimal suspended height of 10"-12"

 

[Casper T.]

May I suggest something like this:

TP1 TP2 TP3 TP4 TP5 TP6 TP7 TP8
8am 9am 10am 8pm 8:30pm 9pm 9:30pm 10pm
A 0% 40% 70% 70% 50% 30% 15% 0%
B 0% 20% 55% 55% 20% 10% 5% 0%
C 1% 20% 55% 55% 20% 10% 5% 1%
D 0% 40% 70% 70% 50% 30% 15% 0%

I think these settings will have to little blue light. Are you using these settings
?

 

[Ludders]

No I have at the moment all the gear and no tank. I have a PAR meter as well and will gather all the data as soon as I can for everyone, but until I get a tank I am stuck to guestimate.
These settings I have suggested are based on Maxspects recommended SPS preset, just toned down by 20% to account for your unit being closer to the water surface and intended mixed reef setup.

I would give it a try and see what you think, but also remember it's a bit of trial and error and what looks good to our eyes might not always be optimal for coral growth.

 

[Ludders]

It looks like I may be getting my new tank end of this month or early next and once setup, I will be detail the PAR tests I carry out.

 

[MrDLHughesY]

It looks like I may be getting my new tank end of this month or early next and once setup, I will be detail the PAR tests I carry out.

Nice what tank you going to be running these lights over ?

 

[Ludders]

my 48" drop off

 

[MrDLHughesY]

The 200 will be to short for a 1200 tank won’t it ? As I’m getting a 900mm tank and that will just about do

 

[Ludders]

Light specifications:

Due to the weir I will lose about 4" off that, taking into account glass thickness my actual coverage needs to be about 43". I am also suspending the light to achieve a better spread. If I used the mounting legs the coverage is only rated for a 35" tank, but you can't use the light at full power that close to the waters surface.

In summary no it won't be too short.