I'm currently shopping lights I really need help. I don't really know what I'm looking at to be honest. I currently have a beams work and I don't think it is worth over 50$ I need suggestions please. So far eccotech radion xr30w is my only suggestion.
What light should I get? 75 gallon
- Thread starter Bmorejoe
- Start date
- Tagged users None
dieselkeeper
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2012
- Messages
- 998
- Reaction score
- 2,339
I love T5's. I'd go with an ATI Sunpower, 54 w, 4 bulb. 2 blue plus, 1 coral plus and 1 purple plus. You could grow SPS on the sand bed if you wanted with this light.
nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
Are you looking at LED's? T5's? What's your budget? I'm guessing you can spend more than $300 on lighting since you're looking at an xr30 Radion. How deep is your tank?
I'm sorry it's a 55 gallon tank.
48" x 13" x 21" tall. I eventually want to get a bigger tank but want to get thus one right 1st. My girlfriend is not happy about the idea of spending that much either so I'm looking into cost vs. need.
48" x 13" x 21" tall. I eventually want to get a bigger tank but want to get thus one right 1st. My girlfriend is not happy about the idea of spending that much either so I'm looking into cost vs. need.
brownsalt92
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2015
- Messages
- 812
- Reaction score
- 170
They say 12-18 months. I just switched over to t5. I'm swaping new ati bulbs into it now week by week bulbs in cheap light I bought were garbage. I will change at 12 months tho
Salt Creep
Active Member
bulbs last about 9-12 months before they start shifting in spectrum too much. I had quality LEDs for about 3 years and switched back to T5. I just don't like how LEDs are like little flashlights and cause so much shadowing making coral lose color at the base when they get bigger. LEDs made my coral look awesome... if I was looking top-down, but how many regular people that see your tank do that? Once I switched back to T5 I got color all over my coral from the light scatter. I lost the shimmer, but better looking coral is more important to me. If you do a LED/T5 combo... that would be great. If not then I vote T5. Do you have a local club you belong to? I got both my 6 bulb fixtures for $50 each from local reefers. One is 36" Coralvue with moonlight LEDs over my 40 breeder and the other is 48" Tek that I am saving for when I set up the 120. The main thing is don't buy a crappy fixture that does not have individual reflectors if going T5.
Just to clarify when I say T5 I mean T5HO
Just to clarify when I say T5 I mean T5HO
Last edited:
Breadman03
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,250
- Reaction score
- 2,022
- Location
- Luzerne County, PA
- What state or country do you live in
- Pennsylvania
"A" Radion won't light a 55 well. You will need at least two. If you want tried and true, I suggest T-5's.
nervousmonkey
LPS Lover, SPS Enabler
You can also think about a combo of LED and T5's. That's what I run and it works amazingly well. If not both, then follow @Salt Creep 's advice. A really good T5 like the ATI will cost you but will be worth it. A better question to ask these guys is what bulb combinations they're running. That'll help educate you the best.
Breadman03
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2015
- Messages
- 2,250
- Reaction score
- 2,022
- Location
- Luzerne County, PA
- What state or country do you live in
- Pennsylvania
ATI Dimmable Sunpower, 6x54 watt is $618. http://www.marinedepot.com/ATI_48_I..._Light_Fixtures-ATI-UZ3315-FILTFIT58U-vi.html
AT $20 each for 6 bulbs, add on another $120 for an approximate total cost of $740. That's also using a premium fixture with premium bulbs. You could opt for a more middle of the road fixture and end up a bit less expensive.
A pair of Gen 3 (non-pro) Radions will run you $1300.
You would need to replace T-5 bulbs periodically, they will consume a bit more electricity, and they will throw a bit more heat, but T-5's are much more plug and play than LED.
AT $20 each for 6 bulbs, add on another $120 for an approximate total cost of $740. That's also using a premium fixture with premium bulbs. You could opt for a more middle of the road fixture and end up a bit less expensive.
A pair of Gen 3 (non-pro) Radions will run you $1300.
You would need to replace T-5 bulbs periodically, they will consume a bit more electricity, and they will throw a bit more heat, but T-5's are much more plug and play than LED.
clownfish chris
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2015
- Messages
- 284
- Reaction score
- 254
Okay, this may come out of left field and many may disagree but I would go with a Metal Hilde t5 combo. You can get a couple of 250 watt hqi pendants and add a t5 retro kit as well. This will give you great growth and color for any coral you would ever want. Anything from the Odyssea (replace the bulbs on day 1 as they are trash) up to a cebu sun fixture. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamil...utput-cebu-sun-lighting-system-with-leds.html The odyssea needs to be a new one and you would want to upgrade the ballast at some point as well to get the best performance out of the bulb. I personally would go with the cebu on your budget.
The issue you will run into is that power consumption is higher and bulbs need to be replaced. I change mine annually.
The issue you will run into is that power consumption is higher and bulbs need to be replaced. I change mine annually.
PatW
2500 Club Member
LED lights cost you more up front, but you save on electricity, less heat and no bulb changes. You can go with a premium light like the radion or the aqua illumination or a more budget approach like reef breeders. You can go with a hybrid option of T5 and LED which can work very well or straight T5. You can even go retro and do metal halides with their heat and power consumption, but they do work.
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2015
- Messages
- 8,484
- Reaction score
- 7,744
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
- What state or country do you live in
- North Carolina
Your on the forum of the best club in the USA!
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2015
- Messages
- 8,484
- Reaction score
- 7,744
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
- What state or country do you live in
- North Carolina
Depending on what your going to keep and your budget will enable you to determine your lighting. You said your on a tight budget so the least expensive way to start is T5, IMO. If you want to get a little more advanced in the future you can add LEDs or a "Hybrid" system which I believe many agree gives you the best coverage, color and par. I personally have a LED/T5 hybrid and love it due to the above mentioned advantages. Often there are lighting systems for sale on this forum, so keep an eye out for one. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
