New 75 gallon questions

[Ron Reefman]

I have been using led fixtures from China that are not UL listed for 6 or 7 years now and I've never had an issue. I'd wager there are literally thousands of Mars Aqua users out there. I wouldn't give it a second thought. But that's me and I don't have 3 toddlers.

 

[Coasty4147]

When I bought the mars aqua lights I was trying to get set up as inexpensively as I could and be able to grow most types of coral.

The more I think about this I really want high quality reliable equipment that will get me started with easier coral. In the future I want to be able to add to (not replace) so that I can have harder corals.

I think that points me towards smaller name brand LED lights (Kessil and AI pucks?) And T5 fixtures.

I have an old coralife t5 fixture that holds 2 48" bulbs. I am contemplating that with new bulbs plus 2 AI prime HD or 3 Kessil A80. Long run would be 3 AI prime HD or 4 A80.

Thoughts, tweaks, other options? I tend to be an obsessive researcher (I am a data analyst) so share away.

I have a kessil a80 for a small nano tank works great, but I put it over the 75g just to see and it definitely is not nearly bright enough if you looking for any kind of performance long term, barely reaches the bottom of the tank. I will be doing 2 a360x when I get the money.

 

[brian.badge]

So BRS says coverage for thre A80 is 18 x 18. Is that width and length or is one number depth?

 

[Coasty4147]

So BRS says coverage for thre A80 is 18 x 18. Is that width and length or is one number depth?

I believe it’s length x width from what I have seen. It should give more info on kessils website.

 

[brian.badge]

I believe it’s length x width from what I have seen. It should give more info on kessils website.

Great suggestion. Watched a YouTube video on their site and this screenshot is their recommendation.

 

[brian.badge]

So the kessil a80 doesnt have the penetration. Any opinion on the HD prime?

Their website claims coverage of 24 x 24 and par or 100 at depth of 24.

Any other suggestions keeping in mind these are pushing my budget.

 

[brian.badge]

I also started looking at a pair of kessil a160, but that is really pushing the budget. I think I need some experienced advice since research is making things less clear.

 

[BeejReef]

You'll go crazy trying to find the "perfect" light.. lol.

Welcome to the hobby. The start-up costs are sickening. Thankfully, they transition into livestock costs (which is at least a lot more fun). It sounds like your head is in the right place.
Nothing wrong with HOB or just water changes in a DT if that's what you want. If that's not what you want, strongly consider biting the bullet on a sump now. Just make a decision you're committed to living with for 3 years so you don't have to spend the same money twice.

I have two kids as well. There's no way around the fact that you'll have at least 6 or 7 cords, a couple power strips, and 100+ gallons of water, with lights perched above.

If they're feisty little devils, you might consider just a DT and no sump. They can't reach into the DT. I'm forever chasing my kids out from under the stand. They like the fuge light and the "yucky bubbles" skimmer. We have gvci and a brand new breaker box, but I still worry they'll knock the fuge light into the water. Anyhow, the UL rating of your lights probly will not be your primary safety concern. My kids love the tank though. I'm sure yours will too!

 

[eggplantparrot]

check out MicMol smart LED squares on Amazon. I have the smaller version on my nano and it grows sps. a couple of the larger ones should be great for a 75.

 

[BeejReef]

Think you off to a great start! The sump is the way to go if you can do it. Remember it doesn’t have to be elaborate to work, and it definitely keeps you from messing around in the DT. As for flow, if your getting at least 3-5 times turnover through your filter your good. The rest of the water movement will depend on what you put in the tank and how strong a flow it requires. (My 75g)

nice tank!

 

[brian.badge]

You'll go crazy trying to find the "perfect" light.. lol.

Welcome to the hobby. The start-up costs are sickening. Thankfully, they transition into livestock costs (which is at least a lot more fun). It sounds like your head is in the right place.
Nothing wrong with HOB or just water changes in a DT if that's what you want. If that's not what you want, strongly consider biting the bullet on a sump now. Just make a decision you're committed to living with for 3 years so you don't have to spend the same money twice.

I have two kids as well. There's no way around the fact that you'll have at least 6 or 7 cords, a couple power strips, and 100+ gallons of water, with lights perched above.

If they're feisty little devils, you might consider just a DT and no sump. They can't reach into the DT. I'm forever chasing my kids out from under the stand. They like the fuge light and the "yucky bubbles" skimmer. We have gvci and a brand new breaker box, but I still worry they'll knock the fuge light into the water. Anyhow, the UL rating of your lights probly will not be your primary safety concern. My kids love the tank though. I'm sure yours will too!

I hear you. For the lights I dont need perfect, just good enough for now with an eye to adding to without having to replace. I am having difficulty finding out what will work for now.

As far as a sump goes I will likely add one in the future. My tank is drilled high on the back and just capped with a bulkhead and plug. I would need a overflow box, sump, etc and I am intentionally starting without it to avoid the cost. Worst case is the HOB skimmer stays on the tank instead of moving to the sump.

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

I run the reef octo hob on my 75 so I think you picked well there. As far as lights, I use two ViparSpectra 165's on mine. They grow montipora and hydnophora for sps, lps, and keep a large Fiji leather happy on the bottom with some zoa's and paly's. The lights are at 65% blues and 10% whites for now. Mushrooms always unattach and move around but I'm not sure it's light related and not flow related. I think the Mars aqua lights will provide you with enough par for most things as long as your placements are well thought out. All I can suggest is to hang them about 10-14" above the water to get better spread. I would also suggest you use your t5 fixture as black box LEDs definitely leave some shadowing. Especially on the under-side of branching corals.
Welcome to reef2reef! There are a lot of kind people that can help with any and all questions, concerns, and issues that arise in this rollercoaster hobby.

 

[Ferrell]

Welcome to R2R. Sounds like a nice set up and I agree with many above. The equipment you have is good and you research everything which is important as it will help you make good decisions going forward. The hard part, and I think we all can attest to it, is moving sloooow in the hobby. A reef is not built in a day. Mine has been a year and a half in the making and still not ther! Getting there but not there. Enjoy yourself, start a build thread and ask for help when needed. Most helpful group around