new lighting for biocube

[Camaro Show Corals]

so my biocube is a sps dom with some lps and a bounce shroom, the tank currently has a hydro galaxy 165w led black box light and its okay it grows it but i want to upgrade, my thoughts are kessil a360, radion i was org thinking at xr30 but then i was told get a xr15 but stil not sure if thats enough light when its not at 100% and ai.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

The xr15 is more than enough light for a 29 Biocube, the xr30 is probably overkill. I would also probably get the diffuser for it to reduce the disco effect.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

okay and hows the controllably of it ive heard mixed things

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

okay and hows the controllably of it ive heard mixed things

Really it's about the same as everything else, pretty much all Wi-Fi enabled lighting fixtures have moments where connectivity is spotty or the app acts weird, but more or less you can get it to do whatever you want it to do. Ecotech has done a pretty good job at adding nearly every feature you could ever want to their lights but that's not necessarily a good thing to some folks. Also, fidgeting with the settings constantly is not good for corals and you may be tempted to do so with this sort of lighting.

 

[RobZilla04]

A360we would be my choice. Simply cannot beat the shimmer they provide.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

hows the growth on both for sps

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

hows the growth on both for sps

Water chemistry will play a bigger part in SPS growth, but generally both lights do a good job.

 

[RobZilla04]

Lighting is third in the importance line. First is chemistry followed by flow. Black box LED's will grow SPS just fine if the first two priorities are managed correctly.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

i know it will grow it fine just looking to upgrade also more for looks

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Bump

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Bump

 

[RobZilla04]

What is your exact question?

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

will I see better results with better lighting

 

[RobZilla04]

will I see better results with better lighting

Not likely. This is why you see so many successful reefs with MH, T5HO, & LED. Each has advantages & disadvantages yet all will grow coral. Again, coral growth (speed of growth as you are asking for) is dependent upon much more than a light. You'll likely get responses from others based on what "they" use, but that doesn't mean you should expect their results on your tank with the same light.

Lighting choices should be made based on controllability for one. Including timing, controllability of intensity & color, & specific spectrum for the far advanced user. Second choice when it comes to lighting is cost. Black box LED's will grow coral just as well as thousand dollar single fixtures. The cost difference comes with quality of build, parts, warranty, and features (wireless, programmable, controllable, etc.).

I will say two of the better light choices IMO for a Bio Cube is the AI Prime HD and Kessil A360WE with spectral controller.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

I heard the prime hd isn’t enough for sps?

 

[daytonajim00]

I have a black box. It's been going strong for 3 or 4 years now. I keep the white channel on lowest setting and blues about 20% up. I did open it up and tape (covered) some of the warm white LED's as a makeshift way to adjust the visual hue; worked great. I will probably go with another 100$ fixture when this one goes. I agree with the other posters- with 29 gallons you have a lot of options. Base your choice of what light looks good to you and what options you like included. I have a controller that controls my black box so that's further reason for me to keep it simple lighting wise.

Another idea, is to make your own custom fixture. I am seriously entertaining this idea as I'm thinking about going back to T5HO fluorescents for the blues and LED's for the rest!