Suggestion: Light for 120G - 4x2x2

[TexasTodd]

Hey Hentz, what did you have the colors and intensity set at?

 

[Hentz]

Hey Hentz, what did you have the colors and intensity set at?

I vaguely remember... but I’m pretty sure Intensity was at 80% Blue, 30% White.

Those were the V1’s. All they had was 2 Channels to change the intensity at.

 

[Bpb]

Throwing my opinion in the mix. If your absolute musts are tank rim mounted, sos capable end to end, and under $1200... photon v2 is the clear choice. You could consider 3 kessil a360we or 3 ecotech Radion xr15 units, or 3 AI Hydra 26HD units but it’s pushing you at or slightly over budget for basically the same amount of light, control, diode quality, and coverage, but the downside of having to manage 3 separate mounts and cables instead of just one

 

[TexasTodd]

Thanks Hentz.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Hi Guys,

The thread title is pretty much self-explaining. I'm trying to find some options for my new tank. I would like to get something cost x benefit but at the same time something that would be efficient and good for my corals.

Could please give me some light, LOL?

Thanks

I'm going to recommend you back up a bit. You really should decide what type of lighting you prefer visually. Do you like the look of T5s only? Do you like shimmer and want the controlability of LEDs? Do you prefer the look of t5 and LED combined? Go look (in person) at someone's tank running a T5 and LED combo and you will be able to help narrow your preferences down as you can see the led only on, T5 only on, and then the combination together. Don't focus so much on the color of the tank with the t5s on, as you can customize your bulb choice to fit what you like (same with the leds). You will be able to tell easily the difference in the diffuse nature of T5s versus (most) puck style led units. When I saw kessil shimmer for instance, i knew i had to have some leds! However, I love the diffuse nature of my T5s, though, so I had to implement a hybrid option. After you decide your preference, you can then really start to hone in on your specific options (as your budget is high enough to give you a lot of good choices).

With that being said, all the previous posters gave you some really good suggestions. I'm just afraid you might be as overwhelmed and undecided now as when you started!

 

[johnbr]

I'm going to recommend you back up a bit. You really should decide what type of lighting you prefer visually. Do you like the look of T5s only? Do you like shimmer and want the controlability of LEDs? Do you prefer the look of t5 and LED combined? Go look (in person) at someone's tank running a T5 and LED combo and you will be able to help narrow your preferences down as you can see the led only on, T5 only on, and then the combination together. Don't focus so much on the color of the tank with the t5s on, as you can customize your bulb choice to fit what you like (same with the leds). You will be able to tell easily the difference in the diffuse nature of T5s versus (most) puck style led units. When I saw kessil shimmer for instance, i knew i had to have some leds! However, I love the diffuse nature of my T5s, though, so I had to implement a hybrid option. After you decide your preference, you can then really start to hone in on your specific options (as your budget is high enough to give you a lot of good choices).

With that being said, all the previous posters gave you some really good suggestions. I'm just afraid you might be as overwhelmed and undecided now as when you started!

That's exactly what I'm feeling. I would have to pick LED since I don't want to run something there's not cost x efficient and also puts a lot of heat. I got an amazing deal for 2x radion's xr30 and I might ended up getting those.

Thanks for everything guys. this forum is amazing.

 

[jda]

Plan on adding some T5s to those Radions if you get them... lots of people do when they see the shortcomings in spectrum and coverage... they excel at neither.

If it were me, I would get a 8 bulb ATI and be done with it... put anything you want where ever you want and never worry about spectrum or coverage.

 

[Daniel Waters]

That's exactly what I'm feeling. I would have to pick LED since I don't want to run something there's not cost x efficient and also puts a lot of heat. I got an amazing deal for 2x radion's xr30 and I might ended up getting those.

Thanks for everything guys. this forum is amazing.

I'm not sure that T5's are THAT less efficient when everything is factored in. I guess it really depends on your local utilities rates. I'm in TN and our electric rates overall are very low compared to a lot of places in the country, so I don't consider power usage that much in my decision making. Also, the upfront cost on using T5's is typically quite a bit less, so I think it will take 3+ years before you actually realize any real savings, even accounting for costs of T5 replacement bulbs each year. As far as heat, T5's aren't that bad about putting out heat in my experience. Unless you're running your house at 76+ degrees in the summer, I wouldn't think you'd have much issue with your tank temperature increasing too much.

With all that being said, I think two XR30 are a fine option for your tank. It should give you adequate coverage and intensity to allow you to grow about any coral you want.

Full disclosure, I run radions, kessils, and T5s all together. I like and dislike each for various reasons.

 

[TaylorPilot]

I am very sensitive to the disco effect from most fixtures, so for me the only viable LED option is kessil. I would do one of the aquatic life t5 kits and put 3 kessil's in it.

This:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

and three of these:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kessil-a360w-tuna-blue-led-aquarium-light.html

It's right at, or a little over your budget, but if spread and shimmer is your goal, this would be my pick (if they ever stop making MH bulbs). Since the aquatic life fixture is out of stock, I image there are for allot of other people who feel the same as well.

You could start with two Kessil's and just be conscious of where you place things, then in a while once you get over the initial setup cost, get a 3rd, or maybe even 4 depending on how much light/spread you want.

 

[TaylorPilot]

If I had to pick only one light source to go with, it would be an ATI 8 bulb T5. No shimmer, but man they look nice and bright with even coverage.

 

[jda]

Take daily running costs and bulbs out of your decision. This has been debated to death... on paper you might find a winner, but trust the people who post back that nothing changed in their electric bill or running costs when replace like output with like output. Initial costs are real, however. Factor in about a 4 year useful life of the LEDs - some people use them longer, but the vast majority do not.

I would select something based on aesthetics vs performance... somewhere on that sliding scale is a place for you and only you can decide where it is. If you are not sure where you are yet, then look for some cheaper used stuff until you figure it out... that is not always a bad plan since it is hard to know where you are going to be when you are fully into the hobby. For me, I know where I am... 100% on coral performance for acropora and clams and I do not mind bulb changes, so I am Metal Halide all the way.

 

[Bpb]

Honestly unless you’re comparing them to the cheapest black box units, literally the only downside to t5ho is the lack of the shimmer aesthetic. You have all the spectrum you could want. And endless combo of colors. Startup is on the lower end, operating cost is on the lower end, there’s enough par to grow anything and everything. zero limiting factors on what you can do with them, and they’re affordable compared to just about anything. They just lack shimmer

 

[lbacha]

I just got the orphek atlantik v4 it might be slightly higher priced than some of the other high end options but it is also higher output than them it will give you a huge area of sps quality light with only the edges of your tank being lower light. If you want to have 100% sps coverage I would add a atlantik compact vs a second v4 but you can always add that later. The biggest issue based on what you have stated is mounting it but it is a very nice looking light so you wife may not mind it hanging from the ceiling.

 

[johnbr]

Is there any mount for t5's and radion 30?

 

[TaylorPilot]

The Aquatic life will mount both.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Is there any mount for t5's and radion 30?

The aquatic life will allow you to mount a radion XR30 into the unit in between the T5 bulbs. You then mount the aquatic life from the ceiling or some work around solution like arm rails on the back of the tank or wall mounts to hang the fixture from. If you're considering a hybrid option now like the aquatic life fixture, I would recommend one Kessil AP700 or two radion XR15's over one radion XR30 for the LED option in the middle of the fixture. Using two XR 15's versus one XR30, you will have better control on placing the pucks to get better coverage for the whole tank compared to the XR30. You would not need two XR30's if you also run 4 T5 bulbs.

 

[johnbr]

Guys I will have a canopy. Now let me ask you guys. Since I already bought the radion's do I need the T5's as well? I want to by successful with SPS but I now that it takes a lot maturity in the tank from them to grow so, can I wait a little bit (to much money spent already)? Also, how I'm gonna dial the timer in the T5's and how far from the tank should I mount the lights?

Thanks

 

[Daniel Waters]

No, you don't need the T5s. Two xr30s will light that tank fine for SPS. You had stated earlier you "might" get the radions. You weren't clear you already bought them. No need to second guess yourself at this point. If you will have a canopy, you can add a retrofit T5 later if you decide you want to add in some T5 bulbs.

 

[johnbr]

No, you don't need the T5s. Two xr30s will light that tank fine for SPS. You had stated earlier you "might" get the radions. You weren't clear you already bought them. No need to second guess yourself at this point. If you will have a canopy, you can add a retrofit T5 later if you decide you want to add in some T5 bulbs.

Thanks @Daniel Waters

How do you guys control T5's bulb? Timers?

 

[Oldreefer44]

I have two v4's on a 6ft tank and love them. No doubt in my mind that 1 would be enough for a 4ft tank. Just not sure about the mounting.