Question on Lighting

[Matthew Frost]

I have been working on my 90 gallon build for several months now and I'm down to my last purchase, lighting. I have read everything there is to read, comparison shopped so many brands online and stalked every LFS asking for opinions. I believe I have settled on AI, two Prime HD's to start with possibility of upgrading to three in the future.

First question: why buy more expensive lighting and not run it full potential? (Ex. Buying Radions or another high end light and run it at 30%) Why not buy a less expensive unit and utilize all of the light?

Second question: With regard to "high end" lighting, is the value really there? I am clearly on the lower end of lighting with my budget, people have told me buy the best (Radions) and you will have it for years. OK, but with the industry changing like it is does it really make sense to spend 3-4 times as much on lighting that will likely be outdated long before it wears out?

Question three: From a standpoint of reliability, we are putting these pieces of equipment in arguably one of the harshest possible environments. It's well documented how long LED's can last realistically, what's the life span?

Any feedback is appreciated, I am just looking to broaden my knowledge base and maybe shed some "light" on this for other newer reefers.

 

[sbash]

First question: You won't. Generally speaking (I feel like I am about to poke a bear here)... Higher end lights have better quality components and better controllers, the light output will be pretty much the same... A 3 watt LED is a 3 watt LED... I know, I know, there are all these videos comparing PAR and light levels, but I have seen little evidence the high end lights produce nicer livestock than the same spec'd cheapos (I've also never seen any tanks with acros in their sand bed, not that I have looked)... the cheapos just don't last a long or are not as controllable (channels, ramping times and so on)...

Second question: Like I said above, you are paying for a top notch controller and high quality electronic components. The high end companies also might actually have someone on staff with letters after their name designing the lights (so theoretically you will get better results). I have a $1000 AquaticLife XS-UV fixture on my 90 and I'm sure it will outlast the $500s worth of fixtures on my 220 gallon system (3 times the lighting for half the cost)... But I prefer the look of my blackbox lights over the fancy stuff...

Question three: You're not really... The electronic components should be very well protected against the elements of the aquarium. Even with the black box fixtures the components are pretty well protected (not as well as the high end fixtures, but good enough to keep the components dry and salt free)...

 

[Finhead]

Most of it in the control of each color in the fixture. I run Hydra 26's and feel they are as good as I need for a LED and don't break the bank. Run T5's along with them so I don't have to buy 2X as many.

If you want a cheaper LED with full control look at the ReefBreeders Photon V2's

 

[Matthew Frost]

Most of it in the control of each color in the fixture. I run Hydra 26's and feel they are as good as I need for a LED and don't break the bank. Run T5's along with them so I don't have to buy 2X as many.

If you want a cheaper LED with full control look at the ReefBreeders Photon V2's

I almost bought 2 used hydra 26 hd`s, I think that would have been perfect.