Need help picking lights

[Deiblerj]

I have a 40 breeder with 2 osc clowns, royal gramma, yellow watchman goby, clown goby, and some shrimp l, snails, and crabs. Will also be adding a coral beauty or flame angel possibly (I know 40g might be a a little small)

I have a pretty basic LED light strip but am looking to upgrade to add corals. I currently have 2 smalls mushrooms that are doing alright with my lights but want to do it right and get something nice to allow for more options down the road.

I’ve been doing a lot of research online and have found a few company’s that seem to be the front runners but would like the R2R communities input!

Was looking at the following names brands

• Kessil
• Current USA orbit
• Radions

Open to other suggestions as well! I am still learning the ropes so sorry for any dumb questions I may ask in this thread!

I would rather pay a little more now for something nice that I can use down the road on a bigger tank.

Thanks gang!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Don't do angels or butterflies if you are going to do softies or LPS coral... they will eat them.

 

[ReefersDelite]

Kessil or the ecotec radions are great Lights. I have 2 AI Prime HDs and love them and the easy to control settings. Current lights are crap. The par is low and i had issues when i had mine.

 

[Zeal]

Whats your price range? You cant compare the Current Orbit lights to Radions, AI Primes HD and Kessils.

Current Orbits are garbage.

 

[Michael Llabona]

Dual Current orbits are sufficient if you want to do soft coral and lps. May be suitable for some SPS like birdsnest and montipora. A single fixture won't be enough. You would need two. If you go with AI primes/kessil/radions you will need 2 for light spread. You may also want to consider some of the LED blackboxes. I have a reefbreeder photon v2 and I really like it. You may also want to do some research on some of the T5/LED hybrid fixtures.
It ultimately comes down to your budget and coral plans

 

[Zeal]

Dual Current orbits are sufficient if you want to do soft coral and lps. May be suitable for some SPS like birdsnest and montipora. A single fixture won't be enough. You would need two. If you go with AI primes/kessil/radions you will need 2 for light spread. You may also want to consider some of the LED blackboxes. I have a reefbreeder photon v2 and I really like it. You may also want to do some research on some of the T5/LED hybrid fixtures.
It ultimately comes down to your budget and coral plans

Duel orbits.. with that money you can get an AI prime and be better off.

Imo

 

[Deiblerj]

Yeah I’m starting to see that the Current orbits aren’t the best after sifting through some older threads. Google may have led me astray with having them in the running...

I don’t want to break the bank but understand this is a hobby you cannot go cheap with. I would like to stay around the $300-$400 range with the hope that the lights I get now will be able to be used on a larger tank down the road

 

[Deiblerj]

Also - if I do go the Kessil route would it make more sense to do multiple A360we’s or AP700?

 

[Crabs McJones]

On a 40 breeder, a pair of A360's would be awesome! You could also do the AP700 (what i currently run over my 40 breeder) as it'll cover that 36" footprint perfectly

 

[Deiblerj]

On a 40 breeder, a pair of A360's would be awesome! You could also do the AP700 (what i currently run over my 40 breeder) as it'll cover that 36" footprint perfectly

Thanks for the reply and good to know you went with Kessil on a 40b as well! It seems like the A360s would be more efficient in the long run seeing as how a new one could always be added for a longer tank in the future; whereas the AP700 kind of limits you unless you get another one. Are the specs relatively similar between the A360s and AP700s?

I guess what does one get more of choosing one over the other?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks for the reply and good to know you went with Kessil on a 40b as well! It seems like the A360s would be more efficient in the long run seeing as how a new one could always be added for a longer tank in the future; whereas the AP700 kind of limits you unless you get another one. Are the specs relatively similar between the A360s and AP700s?

I guess what does one get more of choosing one over the other?

Power wise, a pair of A360s and an AP700 are pretty close, 180 watts combined with the a360 or 185watts with the AP700
The other difference is the AP700 is WIFI controllable out of the box, and gives you alot more controlability. The A360's you can go from 0% color to 100% color only either via the knob on the light or the controller. The AP700 gives you the ability to add in green and reds to your liking on top of also offering the spectral control of the A360s.

 

[Deiblerj]

Sounds like the AP700s offer a little more feature for pretty similar results. And price wise it would probably be pretty close getting 2 A360s or 1 AP700.

Do you have any pictures of your tank with the lights for a reference?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Sounds like the AP700s offer a little more feature for pretty similar results. And price wise it would probably be pretty close getting 2 A360s or 1 AP700.

Do you have any pictures of your tank with the lights for a reference?

 

[mcarroll]

I would rather pay a little more now for something nice that I can use down the road on a bigger tank.

What you have
Spending more doesn't necessarily get you "better".

Especially if what you have is working fine.

In that case it just makes you lighter, and you risk breaking what was working too.

I also wouldn't worry about "down the road" unless the new tank is already on it's way.

Focus on this tank, right now. That's enough to deal with for most reefers.

So what light do you have right now?

Current USA

Not sure why all the strong opinions against Current above...wow.

Folks who use them right don't have any problems.

Current's usage guidelines are more understandable and more reliable than most other makers.

2¢

Since you have a strip already, adding a plain Orbit strip (model #4102, <$150) could make sense.

You could even add one or two of their TrueLumen Pro dumb strips to to what you have.

The TrueLumens can come on during peak hours for a boost, but your present light can continue doing the sunrise/sunset.

If your current light already has a sunrise/sunset function this might be a really smart buy at only $60/each (model #3026 or 3027, depending if you want all-actinic, or mixed 50/50).

An Orbit IC (model #4106, <$200) is another option, but for such a short tank you'll want to mount it up off the tank, either suspended or using their mounting arm.

Kessils
For Kessil, you'll want at least two emitters....either 80's or 160's should do. I'd honestly email or call Kessil to ask....they're very responsive.

Ecotech
For Ecotech, you'll still want at least two emitters, but that's waaay overkill for this tank....so two xr15's.

My Pick
Without knowing what your present light is and assuming you don't hate it, I think adding a couple of the TrueLumen dumb strips is my favorite option. It'll give you the best coverage of all options by far and it'll give you plenty of power as well....two 36" TrueLumens will take up to 46 watts. Two is enough to power the whole tank, let alone having your existing light as well.

If you decide to spend a bundle on spotlights, I'd pick Kessil.

I hope this helps!

 

[Johnson556]

Two Kessil A160's and 2-4 T5's would be able to grow whatever you want. Highly recommend hybrid set ups.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

 

[Vahanyos]

The Current USA light's are good for softies and lps, but not strong enough to grow SPS or higher demanding coral. If you plan to get them in the future, then do not buy the Current Orbits lights. Just go with something with more power. Kessils and Radions will suffice! I currently use the AI Hydra's - and they are beasts.

 

[Deiblerj]

On a 40 breeder, a pair of A360's would be awesome! You could also do the AP700 (what i currently run over my 40 breeder) as it'll cover that 36" footprint perfectly

Thanks for the reply and good to know you went with Kessil on a 40b as well! It seems like the A360s would be more efficient in the long run seeing as how a new one could always be added for a longer tank in the future; whereas the AP700 kind of limits you unless you get another one. Are the specs relatively similar between the A360s and the AP700?

Awesome looking tank! Really like the look of the lights!

 

[Deiblerj]

What you have
Spending more doesn't necessarily get you "better".

Especially if what you have is working fine.

In that case it just makes you lighter, and you risk breaking what was working too.

I also wouldn't worry about "down the road" unless the new tank is already on it's way.

Focus on this tank, right now. That's enough to deal with for most reefers.

So what light do you have right now?

Current USA

Not sure why all the strong opinions against Current above...wow.

Folks who use them right don't have any problems.

Current's usage guidelines are more understandable and more reliable than most other makers.

2¢

Since you have a strip already, adding a plain Orbit strip (model #4102, <$150) could make sense.

You could even add one or two of their TrueLumen Pro dumb strips to to what you have.

The TrueLumens can come on during peak hours for a boost, but your present light can continue doing the sunrise/sunset.

If your current light already has a sunrise/sunset function this might be a really smart buy at only $60/each (model #3026 or 3027, depending if you want all-actinic, or mixed 50/50).

An Orbit IC (model #4106, <$200) is another option, but for such a short tank you'll want to mount it up off the tank, either suspended or using their mounting arm.

Kessils
For Kessil, you'll want at least two emitters....either 80's or 160's should do. I'd honestly email or call Kessil to ask....they're very responsive.

Ecotech
For Ecotech, you'll still want at least two emitters, but that's waaay overkill for this tank....so two xr15's.

My Pick
Without knowing what your present light is and assuming you don't hate it, I think adding a couple of the TrueLumen dumb strips is my favorite option. It'll give you the best coverage of all options by far and it'll give you plenty of power as well....two 36" TrueLumens will take up to 46 watts. Two is enough to power the whole tank, let alone having your existing light as well.

If you decide to spend a bundle on spotlights, I'd pick Kessil.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for your response. I appreciate you lot honesty. I am currently running an Aqueon Optibright 30-36” strip. Not very powerful...the light does have a 30 minute ramp up/ramp down but I am looking for more out of my lights which had led me to this thread.

I like the idea of possibly doing a hybrid but haven’t put much thought into it just yet.

Looking to grow some a mix of corals

Thanks for all the feedback everything. Definitely opened my eyes a bit to the possibilities. Biting the bullet with a $700 light is going to take some time to mull over and weigh the pros and cons

 

[Bpb]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate you lot honesty. I am currently running an Aqueon Optibright 30-36” strip. Not very powerful...the light does have a 30 minute ramp up/ramp down but I am looking for more out of my lights which had led me to this thread.

I like the idea of possibly doing a hybrid but haven’t put much thought into it just yet.

Looking to grow some a mix of corals

Thanks for all the feedback everything. Definitely opened my eyes a bit to the possibilities. Biting the bullet with a $700 light is going to take some time to mull over and weigh the pros and cons

Unless you plan on getting heavy into acropora, don’t sweat it so much. I wouldn’t personally use the current lights because I really want to stay in the 300-500 par range at every point in the tank, but just about everyone who runs a lower light softy tank that uses the current lights seems to be pretty happy with them.

Too often do veteran hobbyists recommend “acro tank equipment or bust” without realizing that by and large the bulk of hobbyists in general, and especially new hobbyists have zero interest in acropora. Get an orbit pro strip or a couple true lumens and you’ll be fine. Leather corals and most deep water lps can do perfectly fine in less than 100 par

 

[mcarroll]

Thanks for your response. I appreciate you lot honesty. I am currently running an Aqueon Optibright 30-36” strip. Not very powerful...the light does have a 30 minute ramp up/ramp down but I am looking for more out of my lights which had led me to this thread.

I like the idea of possibly doing a hybrid but haven’t put much thought into it just yet.

Looking to grow some a mix of corals

Thanks for all the feedback everything. Definitely opened my eyes a bit to the possibilities. Biting the bullet with a $700 light is going to take some time to mull over and weigh the pros and cons

If you have any hesitation on the dollar amount, IMO that's your gut talking. You should listen.

If there really is going to be a next tank, it'll happen and it may make more sense to "go whole hog" on lights when that happens.

I am currently running an Aqueon Optibright 30-36” strip. Not very powerful...the light does have a 30 minute ramp up/ramp down but I am looking for more out of my lights which had led me to this thread.

Is it plain "Optibright" or "Optibright+"?

30 min ramp is ideal....no need for more as far as that feature goes. What more did you have in mind?

Keep in mind the corals are fine if the lights are just blue and white and just turn ON and OFF. The other features are a lot more for you than the tank.

As far as I can tell, that's a planted tank light, which isn't all bad. If it's got any kind of power, then all you're lacking is added blue to balance the colors closer to 20,000K.

Since your light is probably around 6500K in color, I'd add at least one CurrentUSA #3027 all-blue strip.

If you look on your light, or on the transformer itself, it should say what the max power draw for your light it – I'm still curious if you don' t mind checking it. You could need more, but it's very possible that adding a single $60 truelumen strip would be all you really need.

But even if you went with 4x TrueLumens (92 watts total) it would only run you $240.

You have PLENTY of options between where you are and $700 that are all worthy of consideration....get the one that fits your budget so you can afford all the other aspects of the tank without guilt.

I hope this helps!


P.S. I'm not sure, but it seems like some folks think that only a single LED strip can be used at once. Think of LED strips more like T5 tubes....2x, 4x and 6x (or more) ought to be common.

High-powered strips like the Current IC's can use almost 40% more power and get about a 30% bump from their stronger lenses, so they will do more than "ordinary strips" or a T5 tube, but it's still common to see 2x or more strips on a tank of any size.

For the record, some of the best results I've had since switching from a dual-150w Radium setup was from a set of four Ecoxotic strips – 1w LED's, no lenses, mounted about 1" from the water over a 36x12x17"H tank.

The strips burned up prematurely so I couldn't recommend those LED strips. (Which also aren't made anymore.)

But quality LED strips, used as intended, are a great lighting solution.

No less-so than LED spotlights, halides or T5's....or even power compacts, for that matter.

You can even grow corals with normal-output T12's – the magic is not in the light fixture.