The classic "What lighting should I do on this build" Question...

AllTankDylan · Mar 25, 2017

Hello everyone,

So it's another build for me, this time with a 20" Cube, a Solana 34G tank.

It's going to pretty much be only SPS with the exception of some high end mushrooms at the bottom. And I'm honestly torn on a few lighting choices.

I want to run radions with success but I don't want to waste my time or money with them from the mixed personal opinion on if they work well for SPS or not. I know they do work, but I've also seen them not work as well. But in the end, I'd rather start with the best option than to bounce around between lighting.

So here are my choices but feel free to add and say what you think I should run for this build.

-Radion Gen3 Pro XR30 (With or without T5 supplement)

-24" 6 or 8 bulb ATI sunpower with reefbrite XHO strip

-24" 4 bulb ATI Hybrid fixture

-Reefbrite Halide Hybrid 250w with 20K Radium bulb and dual XHO actinic strips

Peanut · Mar 25, 2017

It took me forever to get on the LED bandwagon, but now that I'm here, I can't see doing it any other way. I have 2 tanks, one 5 foot wide with 3 cheapo led units, one 4 foot wide with 2 Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue (you should definitely add the Kessil to your list for consideration). I honestly like both setups. Both are fully controlled by my Apex and run similar cycles. One day when I merge the two tanks into one Super Tank, I plan on combining and using some mix of both.

Having said all that...lighting is just one piece the puzzle. Its important, but whatever choice you make isn't going to make or break the tank. I personally find that the chemistry of the water is far more important. Today my tank with the cheapo leds looks absolutely amazing and I credit it to spending several weeks testing daily in order to dial in the exact 2 part dosing levels that my load required.

AllTankDylan · Mar 25, 2017

Peanut said:
It took me forever to get on the LED bandwagon, but now that I'm here, I can't see doing it any other way. I have 2 tanks, one 5 foot wide with 3 cheapo led units, one 4 foot wide with 2 Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue (you should definitely add the Kessil to your list for consideration). I honestly like both setups. Both are fully controlled by my Apex and run similar cycles. One day when I merge the two tanks into one Super Tank, I plan on combining and using some mix of both.

Having said all that...lighting is just one piece the puzzle. Its important, but whatever choice you make isn't going to make or break the tank. I personally find that the chemistry of the water is far more important. Today my tank with the cheapo leds looks absolutely amazing and I credit it to spending several weeks testing daily in order to dial in the exact 2 part dosing levels that my load required.

Kessil are nice, they look good and the shimmer is amazing. But they do cause a lot of shadowing due to the small source of light. I've ran them before.

That's true, lighting isn't end all be all. Just looking to get the input on what everyone things is the best lighting setup for basically an SPS only 20" cube.

reef80 · Mar 25, 2017

I'd go with ati hybrid. I have 4 different tanks with 4 different lighting set up. I keep all parms the same for all tanks but the hybrid outshines all. It's 8bulb36inch fixture but I only use 4 bulb and blast up my blue leds... It brings out the color more then others...my display is 12bulb ATI and 2xregular reefbrites and they don't compare. The ati leds are super cool and they help my sps hold their colors and bright them up better...newly acquire sps will outshine my display sps in weeks. Don't know all the wiz behind pars spectrum and all but the Germans did it right on that fixture...Also keep in mind that those bulbs haven't been changed since 2yrs ago. Lol.

AllTankDylan · Mar 25, 2017

Wow, nice setup you've got! @reef80

I was worried a 4 bulb ATI Hybrid wouldn't be enough for SPS only pretty much, but I guess it is!

reef80 · Mar 25, 2017

Thanks! I think you should be fine. Having all 8 bulbs on that 36x24x12 inch tank was overkill so I took out the outer four. Sps are growing just fine close to the walls of the tank. Its also about 18 inches off the tank...those leds are ridiculous awesome...check them out locally if you know someone...