New, New and New (and asking for input)

[Josh_P]

Hello All,

I am new to the forum, new to the hobby, and (hopefully) starting a new build soon. I have always wanted to start a mixed reef tank, and think I am finally going to get started. I'm still in the "homework" phase, but plan to start buying components soon.

It will be a mixed tank, I'm thinking clownfish, couple of firefish a goby or blenny, and maybe a coral beauty. Plus the typical clean up crew inverts and some type of anenome. As far as coral it will probably mostly be soft corals, mushrooms and polyps. All in due time of course. Maybe eventually some hard corals or a clam.

I was hoping to get some input/opinions on what I am thinking so far:

Waterbox Platinum 75.2 (tank dims are 24x24x21)
Current USA eFlux LOOP Return Pump (1900gph)
Current USA eFlux Wave Pumps (2x 1050GPH)
Bubble Magus Curve 7 or Reef Octopus Classic 152-S Skimmer
Eheim Jager 200w

Now for the big debate:

AI Hyda 52 HD (I'm definitely open to suggestion here. I'm leaning towards this fixture, but would like some opinions on it vs A-360we, XR30w and the Photon v2)

Thanks in advance!

 

[jsker]

I have two Hydra 26 HD's over my 72 bowfront, and I am very happy. How that for making it harder?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello All,

I am new to the forum, new to the hobby, and (hopefully) starting a new build soon. I have always wanted to start a mixed reef tank, and think I am finally going to get started. I'm still in the "homework" phase, but plan to start buying components soon.

It will be a mixed tank, I'm thinking clownfish, couple of firefish a goby or blenny, and maybe a coral beauty. Plus the typical clean up crew inverts and some type of anenome. As far as coral it will probably mostly be soft corals, mushrooms and polyps. All in due time of course. Maybe eventually some hard corals or a clam.

I was hoping to get some input/opinions on what I am thinking so far:

Waterbox Platinum 75.2 (tank dims are 24x24x21)
Current USA eFlux LOOP Return Pump (1900gph)
Current USA eFlux Wave Pumps (2x 1050GPH)
Bubble Magus Curve 7 or Reef Octopus Classic 152-S Skimmer
Eheim Jager 200w

Now for the big debate:

AI Hyda 52 HD (I'm definitely open to suggestion here. I'm leaning towards this fixture, but would like some opinions on it vs A-360we, XR30w and the Photon v2)

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to R2R!!

#WelcometoR2R
The Hydra 52 is a great light, wi-fi controllable right out of the box, and will grow pretty much any coral you put under it. With that being said I am a HUGE kessil fan and would always recommend either a single A360 or a pair of A160's. Kessils shimmer, color blending, and ease of use are next to none in my opinion. ONly downfall to them is that they are not wi-fi controllable out of the box. They need to be controlled by an external controller such as Kessils own Spectral controller or the neptune Apex. But once you get a setting you like you can just set it and forget it.

 

[Jason mack]

Welcome to R2R, my suggestion for lights would be the kessil we 360 .. fantastic light you can grow anything with them , happy Reefing!!

 

[Greybeard]

Welcome

Seems a good starting list. Quality components, should work out well. Information is the key in this hobby, the fact that you're here, asking questions, is a good sign

I have no opinion on the LED's. I'm a T5 kind of a guy, but all that you list are quality lights.

I have one of the eFlux return pumps, it's been running without issue for what, 8 months now?

 

[Josh_P]

Thanks for all the input, it is really appreciated.

The Kessil was a very close 2nd to the AI Hydra, maybe in the lead now. I’ve seen them in person and love the shimmer. The tanks I have seen them on didn’t have powerheads though, so I’m a little worried about the shimmer combined with the water movement I’ll have with the eFlux wave pumps. Anyone have any issue with this, or is it just a problem I’m making up in my head?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks for all the input, it is really appreciated.

The Kessil was a very close 2nd to the AI Hydra, maybe in the lead now. I’ve seen them in person and love the shimmer. The tanks I have seen them on didn’t have powerheads though, so I’m a little worried about the shimmer combined with the water movement I’ll have with the eFlux wave pumps. Anyone have any issue with this, or is it just a problem I’m making up in my head?

Not a problem. I have the AP700 with two MP10 vortechs at almost 100% all the time, and the surface tension shimmer is not an issue. If you're getting to much shimmer out of your light raise it higher and turn up the intensity to compensate.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[lion king]

Welcome to R2R

Opinions on equipment are just that, everything you are looking at are quality. Personally I don't care the kessil's and think AI has some the best lights going. I have a BM curve skimmer on one tank and am not impressed, I'd lean towards the Reef Octopus.

 

[Ironwill723]

I've been very happy with the Kessil 360s over my tanks.