Which is better?

[Currdawg12]

I have a 45 gallon 24x24

For lighting I’m thinking ai hd prime or viparspectra 165

Wanting to do all types of coral

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Either will work fine but I imagine the Prime HD would be a better user experience. You would, however, get better light spread with the viparspectra though. Just sort of depends on how you set up your aquascape. You would be in the clear to keep most SPS corals and most LPS coral with either light.

 

[jda]

Check out ReefBreeders Photon V2 or a SB Reef light... they are more light than the prime with more channels and a few more features than he Vipar. They are where a lot of people land for a middle-level compromise.

FWIW - the prime is a little underpowered to cover 24x24.

 

[Currdawg12]

Check out ReefBreeders Photon V2 or a SB Reef light... they are more light than the prime with more channels and a few more features than he Vipar. They are where a lot of people land for a middle-level compromise.

FWIW - the prime is a little underpowered to cover 24x24.

Thank you I will go look now! Do you mind if I ask what you use?

 

[jda]

I do not use any of these. I usually like to mention this, so my apologies for not doing so. It is only fair that you know how the basis of any post so that you can discount it if you would like.

I use Metal Halide.

 

[Geebs19]

1 AI prime isnt really going to cover the whole 24 inches, your sides really wont be covered.

 

[Currdawg12]

1 AI prime isnt really going to cover the whole 24 inches, your sides really wont be covered.

That’s what I keep hearing and everything I watch has good reviews on the viparspectra

 

[Vahanyos]

Be careful with the Viparspectra's - they are powerful. Just some chinese brand so the better question is which is more RELIABLE?

 

[Currdawg12]

I do not use any of these. I usually like to mention this, so my apologies for not doing so. It is only fair that you know how the basis of any post so that you can discount it if you would like.

I use Metal Halide.

The sb lights look awesome

 

[Currdawg12]

I do not use any of these. I usually like to mention this, so my apologies for not doing so. It is only fair that you know how the basis of any post so that you can discount it if you would like.

I use Metal Halide.

Well in your option what would be the best lighting set up for my tank?

 

[Vahanyos]

Hydra 52 HD would work well for your 24x24 tank. I have one over my 30" tank and I have it set pretty low right now but I still get good coverage and growth on the ends. If i lift it up a little higher off the water line it'll get much brighter but it covers 24" easily

 

[jda]

Well in your option what would be the best lighting set up for my tank?

Looks like you are new(er) to the hobby? If so, then get a 6 bulb T5 with some mixture of ATI Blue Plus and Coral Plus bulbs, plug it in and change the bulbs at 24 months. This is foolproof and a great performer.

 

[KMench]

I have AI Hydra 26s lighting my tank. I do like them a lot, but think one Prime would be a bit underpowered for your setup. Then again, it depends on what your ultimate goal is. If you do a good job of placing your corals by lighting preference and are ok with having only a certain area for higher light SPS, than a prime would probably work. You could even upgrade to a Hydra 26 and get a much larger area of lighting that is acceptable for keeping higher light corals.

 

[Currdawg12]

Looks like you are new(er) to the hobby? If so, then get a 6 bulb T5 with some mixture of ATI Blue Plus and Coral Plus bulbs, plug it in and change the bulbs at 24 months. This is foolproof and a great performer.

What about heat and what do I do at nights? Just turn off?

 

[dferran1]

I agree with the prime being underpowered. I also have a 24" cube. My experience is from an SPS standpoint but I would go with the hydra or spend the extra money and go with an EcoTech marine radion xr30 G4 pro. I know they are expensive, but in my experience I don't think there is a better LED option available on the market at this time, especially if you don't intend on doing any T5 supplementation. You can also look at picking up a used G3, and upgrade to wide angle lenses or the diffusor panel. I have seen the G3 radions produce some very impressive tanks even though the newer G4 model is available.

Edit: also have personally used the reef breeder photons, and they come in at a close second for me. They produced really good results for me, and include a tank mounting kit. If I'm not mistaken, this is the LED used by Adam at Battlecorals.

 

[Currdawg12]

I agree with the prime being underpowered. I also have a 24" cube. My experience is from an SPS standpoint but I would go with the hydra or spend the extra money and go with an EcoTech marine radion xr30 G4 pro. I know they are expensive, but in my experience I don't think there is a better LED option available on the market at this time, especially if you don't intend on doing any T5 supplementation. You can also look at picking up a used G3, and upgrade to wide angle lenses or the diffusor panel. I have seen the G3 radions produce some very impressive tanks even though the newer G4 model is available.

Edit: also have personally used the reef breeder photons, and they come in at a close second for me. They produced really good results for me, and include a tank mounting kit. If I'm not mistaken, this is the LED used by Adam at Battlecorals.

Have you ever used t5s?

 

[dferran1]

I used T5's in my first tank in the early 2000's. No doubt they are effective. Probably one of the most effective methods of delivering uniform coverage of light and avoiding the shadowing once the corals grow in. However, they lack the controllability and that is why a lot of people are using LEDS now. They cannot ramp up and down, and may run hotter. Unless I am mistaken, you still pretty much plug them into a timer and they will just switch on/ off. Its older technology. The LED's will give you the controllability. That said, some people will supplement their LED's with T5's.

Historically, the metal halide/ T5 combo has probably been the most proven and effective lighting option for growing SPS corals. However, many people such as myself do not want to deal with the extra heat, resulting possible need for a chiller, bulb replacements, etc. This is why I am using LED's. With that said, in my experience and from what I have seen, I think the radions are pretty much the gold standard of LED'S at this point, and have the most well documented examples of success, and the science behind them. There is a reason why a lot of the top names in the hobby, (e.g, Sanjay Joshi, Mike Paletta, and World Wide Corals, to name a few.) are using them.


I got back into the hobby in 2015 after a 10 year hiatus, and initially purchased/ set up my tank with cheaper equipment. After being out of the hobby and suddenly coming back into it, I had never heard of Ecotech radions or vortex pumps. Since upgrading all my equipment to radion lights and vortex pumps, I am beyond blown away with them. Its well worth the money in the long run.

My tank is the same 24 x 24 " as yours, so feel free to ask me any questions. I will say, with any of the single puck LED options, you WILL have problems with shadowing/ coverage when the corals grow in. Right now I am using a single radion xr30 g4 pro on the 24" x 24" cube, and there are issues with shadowing, and getting light to the corals located near the corners. The tank really could use 2 xr 30's at this point in all honesty.

 

[Currdawg12]

Well I’m most worried about the shadowing and I’m now looking at the sb reef lights that are 18in! I just don’t have 300 or more dollars to spend on a light is I want to start a tank and get everything going pretty quick but I do worry about not getting enough light. Also do you mind if I ask what vortec do you use

 

[jda]

You won't have any heat from T5s unless you have a closed-up tight canopy... and even then, heat from a LED panel can be a problem since they give off heat too. Yes, you just turn T5 off and on - your tank does not need any light at night... this is for the reefer not the reef. If you are most worried about shadowing, then get a T5 system... this is one area where they excel.

T5s will not really have any shimmer and you cannot play with them other than changing bulb colors - some people like to change things from a iOS app on their couch, but others will swear that this ability is the downside of LEDs since people just won't leave them alone.

Aquatic Life has Hybrid systems that can house a LED panel of your choice and also 2 or 4 T5 bulbs. These are very popular for people who have puck-style LEDs, were good at their craft and now have shadows. They are also popular for people who have reached the ceiling with SPS color with LEDs and need more spectrum to push through to the next level.

If you are contemplating spending Radion money, then look at Orphek Atlantik V4... it is the best LED on the market, IMO, and what I would use if somebody forced me to.

 

[dferran1]

Well I’m most worried about the shadowing and I’m now looking at the sb reef lights that are 18in! I just don’t have 300 or more dollars to spend on a light is I want to start a tank and get everything going pretty quick but I do worry about not getting enough light. Also do you mind if I ask what vortec do you use

3 x vortex MP 10's. Now that the corals are grown in, it's still not enough. If you are on a budget and cannot spend on the vortex pumps, check out the Tunze nano stream products. They are also excellent.

Given you stated you have a lighting budget of $300, I would recommend checking out a Reefbreeder Photon for the LED option ( I think the one that fit my tank was around $350). In my experience, the photons had great coverage. I agree with the above user that T5's can be an option for you as well, and with proper ventilation, heat may very well be a non- issue. Just keep in mind, they will require an ongoing cost of bulb replacement, you will have to use a timer, and contend with lack of shimmer, etc. Additionally, the best frequency of bulb replacement is still very much debated.

I strongly agree with the above user that the controllability of the LED's can definitely be a drawback, from the standpoint that people tend to constantly play around with the LED's due to the slider bars on the apps, etc. I think in one of the BRS videos, they stated something along the lines that you cannot be constantly playing around with the animal's life support by adjusting the LEDS based solely on visual appeal, and things looking "cool", rather than selecting a lighting schedule based on proper PAR and SPECTRUM. With that said, if you do go the LED route, do your research and select an appropriate schedule based on PAR and spectrum, and then set it and forget it. Stability is key.