Time to make the choice

[GratefulReef]

So, when I get my tax return I am upgrading my light setup. Currently I have a deepblue solarmax he 4x54w t5 with 8x1w leds. I have a couple of choices, and wanted some opinions before I pull the trigger, before I list the choice I have I'll say a couple things. My budget is around 7-800 dollars max! I dont want to use metal halide as my energy costs are already high enough. I only use geissemann and ati t5 bulbs, until something better is available. I have a 75g mixed reef, but recently caught an affinity for sps corals and would like to be able to grown them nicely. Ok so heres the fun part, my choices:

Deepblue solarmax he 4x54w(my current fixture) + 1 Gen2 Radion(would keep it on one side of tank for higher demanding corals)

or

ATI 6x54w sunpower dimmable(I just purchased 5 bulbs last week so I would only need to buy 1 more to fill it as they dont come filled already, only downside to ATI)

Both will be about the same amount of money give or take 100 bucks, but what will give me more bang for the buck here?

 

[GratefulReef]

man 45 views only 1 vote...tough crowd i guess

 

[Pappy]

So what's the question? T5 or t5?

 

[GratefulReef]

basically t5 with led, or a bigger t5 fixture. Poll up top.

 

[Pappy]

Sorry didn't see the poll I'm on Tapatalk and can't view for some reason. Def led t5 combo is my vote....or just get another radion and call it a day

 

[creefer]

I say ATI


Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[mike007]

Check out the Orphec leds

 

[grumpy-crab]

With 7-800 spending limit you could build a really nice DIY led set up. Check out www.rapidled.com they have the best options for DIY. Just my opinion.

 

[fragmatic]

Your shortage of volts MAY reflect your restrictive choices. For that money there is no way I would not go LED.

 

[J Rog]

I would go all LED.. I have radions and love them..

 

[GratefulReef]

Just cant really afford that. I was throwing around the idea of getting 2 maxspect razors but honestly I'm not totally sold on led yet. I'm going with the ATI fixture unless something better comes up for sale in the next couple of weeks. I appreciate all the comments though and the votes

 

[bct15]

To bad you don't want to pick mh, still tried an true and best for sps...lots of people switch back after switching to led. That being said the t5 is probably the best out of those two options.


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[Lilmatty5dimes]

if you get the right bulb combination the ati would be a killer set up. you'll be able to grow anything with the right placement but just remember you'll have to replace the bulbs every year which is going to cost 6x$25 $150 a year. waiting a lil more and getting 2 radions might be the way to go.

 

[bmarkus]

I run two tanks one with 32 39W ATI bulbs and one with 2 400W Radium bulbs the colors under the Radium's is much nicer, corals grow faster, and polyp extension is crazy under the MH that being said the ATI fixtures and bulbs do a good job. I have tried LED and the only place I would use them now is on my refugium sorry my opinion.

 

[uf_gators]

u could do a combo like I plan on doing. ledtric new light, and gutting my ALife T5 and mount 2 t5's in the back. an the led in the middle, and the other 2 t5's on the front.... just a thought ! in a canopy, that is !

 

[Dave A]

I can't see voting for either option, they both seem like a waste of money. I can't see buying a 6 bulb fixture, your just setting yourself up for 50% more in energy costs and bulb replacements. OTOH, taking the step towards LED may be a good idea but you've chosen an over-hyped and overpriced fixture.
Your budget is more than adequate for a very good DIY fixture for the whole tank and, as you've pointed out, there are commercial fixtures that would cover your whole tank in this price range. DIY is not for everyone, but if you can do the work you should consider this option. (I built my 70 LED fixture for my 90 gal for under $600, including the dimming expansion module to connect it to my Reef Angel, I'd need 7-8 T5s to get the same light). The Razors are another good option, you could do the whole tank with your budget. Why spend the same amount of money to experiment with LEDs over a third of your tank, when you could do the whole tank?
Over the last few decades I've used; T12-NO, T12-HO, T12-VHO, MH (and back to T12-VHO), PC, T5 and LED, each had it's pro's and con's and many were an improvement over older technologies. LEDs are no longer new, the technology has been around for decades and they've been around in this hobby for close to 10 years. Early fixtures used only blue and white and most users were less than thrilled with the results. In the last year or two, LEDs have made huge progress. It's understandable that you might want to test the waters before diving in, but if you like what you see, do you have the budget to convert the rest of the tank?

 

[Mike J.]

I have an eight bulb Current light on my 75 gal. with ATI bulbs. You could easily get that for much less than 800. Got my light at petmountain. Been running for four years with no problems.

 

[egghead43]

i would say get all radion pros, thats what i did with my tax return