Want to switch to LEDS

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

I have a 90 gal tank- palys, zoas, shrooms, acans, leathers, monti, favia, and nems. I want to replace my T5 quad and go all LED. Problem is getting enough to light to keep the corals healthy. I understand I need a minimum of 5 watts per gallon. Any recommendations on LED systems that would fit my needs? Thanks.

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

The one I am looking at puts out 8640 lumens.

redfishbluefish · Feb 21, 2016

LED's definitely work on a 90....that's what I have......albeit a five foot 90. Not sure where you got the 5 watt thing, but that's not true for LED's. Using that, 450 watts of LED's on a 90 would be like being at the center of the sun. Way too much light.

Don't know what your budget is, but on the low end of the money would be two 160W Mars Aqua fixtures. I believe two of these with 90 degree optics would work just fine. (And I'm assuming a "standard" four foot 90 gallon tank.)

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
LED's definitely work on a 90....that's what I have......albeit a five foot 90. Not sure where you got the 5 watt thing, but that's not true for LED's. Using that, 450 watts of LED's on a 90 would be like being at the center of the sun. Way too much light.

Don't know what your budget is, but on the low end of the money would be two 160W Mars Aqua fixtures. I believe two of these with 90 degree optics would work just fine. (And I'm assuming a "standard" four foot 90 gallon tank.)

It is a standard 4 footer. I know nothing about lights (which should be obvious [emoji3]). The one I was looking at has 8640 lumens. Not sure what specs I should be looking for.

What corals do you have?

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

I am looking at the orbit marine pro.

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

Or 2 of these?

KSReefing · Feb 21, 2016

Personally I would keep the T5s and possibly add more bulbs. I've gone the cheap LED route before and it's not worth it. The ones from aqua traders there wouldn't be worth it and I think you would be highly disappointed.

If you do want to do cheap LEDs. I would do the full spectrum box led lights from eBay because I did have successful growth from them. I bagged those and upgraded to AI primes for my tank and could not of been any happier.

I do realize primes are not ideal for your tank but just wanted to say you truly get what you pay for in the hobby and at least with T5s you know you will get the growth you always want.

And last you could get the cheap LEDs and supplement them with T5s. That's what I've been doing. look and growth are out of this world.

mniemann · Feb 21, 2016

I have 2 gen 2 radios over my 4ft 75 gallon tank. More than enough light and par, I actually have to turn the down because they are so strong.

MikeyAl · Feb 21, 2016

KSReefing said:
Personally I would keep the T5s and possibly add more bulbs. I've gone the cheap LED route before and it's not worth it. The ones from aqua traders there wouldn't be worth it and I think you would be highly disappointed.

If you do want to do cheap LEDs. I would do the full spectrum box led lights from eBay because I did have successful growth from them. I bagged those and upgraded to AI primes for my tank and could not of been any happier.

I do realize primes are not ideal for your tank but just wanted to say you truly get what you pay for in the hobby and at least with T5s you know you will get the growth you always want.

And last you could get the cheap LEDs and supplement them with T5s. That's what I've been doing. look and growth are out of this world.

Thanks. My T5 is an odyssea from aquatraders- personally I think it's garbage. Went on the cheap and regretting it. I think I just need to suck it up and go different T5. Any suggestions?

bklynreef123 · Feb 23, 2016

You really can't go wrong with ATI. I really love my 6x39w dimmable.

jhnnle01 · Feb 23, 2016

few people are replacing some T5 bulbs with euroquatics E5 (led).

bklynreef123 · Feb 23, 2016

There are articles about how these E5 bulbs have terrible PAR. I have a reefbright attached to my fixture to get that little bit of led pop.

jamie callard · Feb 23, 2016

I have a radion xr30 pro woth wide angle lens gets ll bit the edge. Will be buying a second they are probley the most expensive led but love the ability to operate and change lights from my computer. Makes aclimation easy i can tell you i am a 24 inch deep tank and get 200 par dead center on the bottom. Works for most lps and leathers. Doing a second light to be able to do more sps

Reef Pets · Feb 23, 2016

Check out SB Reef Lights. They're a sponsor here.
https://sbreeflights.com

MikeyAl · Mar 2, 2016

Thanks everyone. I have an opportunity to buy a RAdion, current USA orbit, or orbit pro. My options Re buy the orbit to supplement the cheap T5 or replace completely with the RAdion or Orbit Pro. ThoughtS?

MikeyAl · Mar 2, 2016

KSReefing said:
Personally I would keep the T5s and possibly add more bulbs. I've gone the cheap LED route before and it's not worth it. The ones from aqua traders there wouldn't be worth it and I think you would be highly disappointed.

If you do want to do cheap LEDs. I would do the full spectrum box led lights from eBay because I did have successful growth from them. I bagged those and upgraded to AI primes for my tank and could not of been any happier.

I do realize primes are not ideal for your tank but just wanted to say you truly get what you pay for in the hobby and at least with T5s you know you will get the growth you always want.

And last you could get the cheap LEDs and supplement them with T5s. That's what I've been doing. look and growth are out of this world.

KSreefkeeping. Something like this

dailydriven911 · Mar 2, 2016

MikeyAl said:
Thanks everyone. I have an opportunity to buy a RAdion, current USA orbit, or orbit pro. My options Re buy the orbit to supplement the cheap T5 or replace completely with the RAdion or Orbit Pro. ThoughtS?

Go Radion with those options it's not even close.