Need help choosing supplemental leds for 96x30x24

[Catfish2]

I'm in the process of planning a SPS dominate 300 gallon build. 96x30x24h.

I was planning on using 2- 48" ati 6 bulb sunpowers with 2-48" reef brite XHO actinic strips for added par and led pop.

The issue I'm seeing is that I have this same setup on my frag tank (except only one 48" fixture and XHO because the frag tank is only 48") and the LEDs are basically washed out once the t5's go on. By washed out, I mean any shimmer and pop from the led strip is barely noticeable. So I added another XHO strip and it looks much better.

After seeing that, I change my plan for the 300 to include: 2- 6 bulb ATI's and 4 reef brite XHO's (one in front and one behind each ati fixture). That will work just fine, but then I realized of I'm goin to spend that much on the reef brite strips, I could get 4 kessil 360's, 4 radion xr 15's, or any other leds for "supplemental" lights

One other option is 2- 72" reef brite XHO, but I'm not sure how well the 72" strips will cover the 96"tank.

Well that was a lot of writing all to ask for what other people would recommend or what other people have done.

Cast your vote:
1) 4- 48" reef brite XHO =1408.68
2) 4 - kessil A360w tuna blue = 1396.00
3) 4 - radion xr 15's gen4 pro = 1596.00
4) 2 - 72" reef brite XHO = 1056.52
5) other (please indicate what "other" light)

Thank you so much!

 

[Beardo]

I'm in the process of planning a SPS dominate 300 gallon build. 96x30x24h.

I was planning on using 2- 48" ati 6 bulb sunpowers with 2-48" reef brite XHO actinic strips for added par and led pop.

The issue I'm seeing is that I have this same setup on my frag tank (except only one 48" fixture and XHO because the frag tank is only 48") and the LEDs are basically washed out once the t5's go on. By washed out, I mean any shimmer and pop from the led strip is barely noticeable. So I added another XHO strip and it looks much better.

After seeing that, I change my plan for the 300 to include: 2- 6 bulb ATI's and 4 reef brite XHO's (one in front and one behind each ati fixture). That will work just fine, but then I realized of I'm goin to spend that much on the reef brite strips, I could get 4 kessil 360's, 4 radion xr 15's, or any other leds for "supplemental" lights

One other option is 2- 72" reef brite XHO, but I'm not sure how well the 72" strips will cover the 96"tank.

Well that was a lot of writing all to ask for what other people would recommend or what other people have done.

Cast your vote:
1) 4- 48" reef brite XHO =1408.68
2) 4 - kessil A360w tuna blue = 1396.00
3) 4 - radion xr 15's gen4 pro = 1596.00
4) 2 - 72" reef brite XHO = 1056.52
5) other (please indicate what "other" light)

Thank you so much!

I run 5 kessil a360s with an 8 bulb sunpower. I still get the shimmer though definitly not as pronounced with kessil alone.

 

[Catfish2]

Tusks for the reply.

1-is that over the same dimensions?
2- do you know how much par that setup is putting out?
3- I'm not familiar with an a360s. Did you mean "w?"

 

[Beardo]

Tusks for the reply.

1-is that over the same dimensions?
2- do you know how much par that setup is putting out?
3- I'm not familiar with an a360s. Did you mean "w?"

Tank is 270g 72" x 36" x 24". I run the sunpower (8x80 watt) down the middle with 3 kessils in front angled in and 2 in back of the T5s. I run the extra 2 in back because of the 36" depth.

I do not know the par, sorry.

Yes, i meant the a360w. I accidently left out the w.

 

[jda]

Are shimmer and pop from 4x Halides out? They don't even need supplemented to do either. Some of what you are describing is why people use halides over large tanks where the reflectors can handle the spread and color without buying more stuff.

Have you tried True Actinic on your current T5s? They need some time to develop out color in the corals, but they can really make them shine (no shimmer, though).

If you like the reefbrites, then there appears to be no substitute... people with the less expensive bars comment that they are not the same.

 

[roberthu526]

I am planning for the exact same tank. I got 6 G4 Radion Pros and five G3 Radion Pros. I also have 6 Kessil 360w s. I feel this is more than enough to cover the tank and have some backup just in case.