Upgrading Lighting, Please Help

Squishie89 · May 17, 2013

I currently have the silly marineland reef capable 48" light. I am looking to upgrade my lights. My budget is 500 dollars max, I want pre-configured and assembled LEDs and I need to have some way of mounting them over the tank without using the ceiling or wall. I have a 90g tank (48â€x18â€x24â€). My tank is a fish with inverts (and live rock) with the possibility of some corals (LPS, not SPS) and I will have clams. Please help me out guys, I am just really lost and flustered about this and starting to lose my head.

Sdoutreefer · May 17, 2013

Spend the extra money and get a radion. So worth it.

TonsOfun · May 17, 2013

Is one radion enough for a 48" tank?

Paul C. · May 17, 2013

Gunna need 2 for a 4 footer. I have 2 Gen 1's over my 75. Thinking the depth of a 90 is going to require Gen 2's minimum.

mike007 · May 17, 2013

Orphec pr 156 if you want a serious upgrade. You will love them.

Squishie89 · May 17, 2013

I just can't afford those (orphek, radions). What about reefbreeders? Especially the bridgelux?

Squishie89 · May 17, 2013

My original plan was to get a 48" 14k reef light from buildmyled.com but I did some looking and it seems BML suggests 2 fixtures to light clams. This is not out of the question as 2 48" lights would be less than 500 dollars and I can fit them both on the tank. Thoughts?

Sdoutreefer · May 18, 2013

I havent heard of their fixtures before. You just want to make sure that the fixture is a full spectrum fixture. And yes you wi need 2 radions for a 4' tank. If youre wanting to upgrade youre lighting, spending the money on something nice is 100% worth it.

Toomnymods · May 19, 2013

not worth upgrading really unless your willing to do it right.. I have seen very noticeable effects in my corals health going from ai sols (Blue and white spectrum) to radion gen 2's all my lps open more, sps has a lot more vibrance and color and the growth is enormous compared to before.. their is no comparison your corals need that extra red and green spectrum.

EpicWin · May 19, 2013

Reef breeders are great LEDs for the money. You could do 3 for 600$. Probably your best bet. They, like radions, use many different color LEDs. Just google reefbreeders and look at the value fixture.

ronnie · May 19, 2013

The reef breeders are good lights. They have a photon 32 which I believe would cover your tank well enough. Price is $449 shipped, too. So under budget. I do love my radions, but for some it isn't feasible.

reefbreeders

ronnie · May 19, 2013

To mount, you could use some 80/20 t-slot to build an L bracket that would attach to the back of the stand. Or bend some conduit and do the same thing.