Reef Lighting decision

LakeCityReef · Sep 15, 2015

Okay, I'm in the process of building a 40 breeder mixed reef tank. I'm trying to decide on light. I have LEDs on my current tank, but in this new one I'm wanting SPS as well as LPS and zoos, a little bit of everything. I was looking at the fixtures that have the metal halide with 4 T5s all in one, (36"). But I'm wondering, would that metal halide be to much for the softies? I just want you get the best possible light for good, healthy coral. Opinions are good but I'd really like to hear from people with personal experience on their favorite mixed reef light. Thanks

Tahoe61 · Sep 15, 2015

I'll pick metal halide and T5 over anything else except for cost, energy and heat.

I am pretty happy once switching to LED's. No it's not my ideal Radium metal halide tank but it's definitely doable.

LakeCityReef · Sep 15, 2015

Do you see good growth on SPS with led

LakeCityReef · Sep 15, 2015

I'm not against led by no means I just want the best for the corals

Tahoe61 · Sep 15, 2015

Yes, they grow sps just fine. I am not going to lie not as good as metal halide, but for the cost on unit, the absence of a chiller, energy bill I will keep the LEDS.

Just take a look around look at tanks under all lighting methods, it's a personal choice. The battle wages on regarding lighting types, buy what works for you and what you can afford. If you want a solely dominate sps system and have the money then metal halide, just my opinion. There are absolutely stunning sps dominated tanks running Radion or AI or DIY, nothing beats metal halide when all is said and done.

LakeCityReef · Sep 15, 2015

What Kind of LEDs are you running

jazonPartij · Sep 15, 2015

I just purchased a metal halide/t5 combo. I'm excited for them to arrive... But unfortunately I'm no help to you. Never used either, new to the game.

Tahoe61 · Sep 15, 2015

AI Hydra 52. I ran metal halide previously.

My dream fixture is the ATI sunpower and supplemental Radium Metal Halide 400 watts. I like Giesemann as well. If I had money to burn on LED's I would have gotten the Radion Gen 3. Over all I am happy with the Hydra.

ls2ttgto · Sep 15, 2015

I grew SPS, LPS and softies under Chinese LED with my previous setup. Currently running the same lights, but i will say that i still run my VHO lamps with the LEDs.

D maul · Sep 15, 2015

The softies should be alright if there lower with the halides. You just have to figure out how much you would like to spend on a light fixture. I run halide but if I had to buy different light fixture it would be a ati power module awesome light fixture.

LakeCityReef · Sep 15, 2015

VHO is that t8 or t12? I actually have two of the big Chinese led light on my other tank and it does fine, I just don't have SPS in there. I'm big into dIY I wonder if I could do led and then put two t5s in the front and back of the canopy on each side of the led

LakeCityReef · Sep 16, 2015

I have spent the last 3 hours reviewing the kessil a 160 blue tuna, and comparing it to the max spect razor 420r 160. Only an $80 price difference being ill need two kessil and the controller. Anyone got any I put on these two?

ls2ttgto · Sep 17, 2015

LakeCityReef said:
VHO is that t8 or t12? I actually have two of the big Chinese led light on my other tank and it does fine, I just don't have SPS in there. I'm big into dIY I wonder if I could do led and then put two t5s in the front and back of the canopy on each side of the led

T12

Txdragonslayer · Sep 17, 2015

LakeCityReef said:
Okay, I'm in the process of building a 40 breeder mixed reef tank. I'm trying to decide on light. I have LEDs on my current tank, but in this new one I'm wanting SPS as well as LPS and zoos, a little bit of everything. I was looking at the fixtures that have the metal halide with 4 T5s all in one, (36"). But I'm wondering, would that metal halide be to much for the softies? I just want you get the best possible light for good, healthy coral. Opinions are good but I'd really like to hear from people with personal experience on their favorite mixed reef light. Thanks

@LakeCityReef I think each lighting technology has its advantages. I think thats why chose to start incorporating all three technologies in my tank. I DIY'd a kessil into my MH/T5 light. In my opinion a tank is wroth looking at, so you want it to look best over all. Decide on what you like to look at first then decide on the technology from there.

Check out my DIY build on my build thread. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-reefer-450-white-tiger.211634/

hig789 · Sep 18, 2015

Nothing has the look of halides IMO. I loved my 20k halides and VHO combo years ago on my 90. When I got back into the hobby this year I went with leds on my 15g nano. I love them, so much overall control and pretty good growth. I'm going to be upgrading to a 40 breeder also in a few months and I am going with a 24" hybrid from NanoBox. 4 led pucks and 2 T5's ran by a bluefish mini controller. Should be here early next week.

This. One sexy light IMO.

http://reefbuilders.com/2015/04/02/nanobox-reefs-hybrid-t5-led-light-ready-class-coral-aquarium/