Which LEDs for a 55 Gallon?

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

Hello,

I'm fairly new the reefing community and the lights I am currently using are garbage to say the least, MarineLand LEDs, and they're not even built for reefs... I'm looking to upgrade to something better. I'm fully aware that the upgrade cost will be upwards of $400 for a decent set of lights. My question is what lights would be best for a 48''x12.5''x20'' with a beam across the top-middle of the tank?

Thanks in advance!

Zane · Jan 31, 2016

You could do a pair of sb reef 16" and be Just fine, and probably have a few bucks left in the budget.

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

Zane said:
You could do a pair of sb reef 16" and be Just fine, and probably have a few bucks left in the budget.

If I were to just get the regular version, wouldn't I need a controller? I think it would be worth it to go for the pro 16s.

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

2 WiFi black boxes would be an inexpensive route

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

twilliard said:
2 WiFi black boxes would be an inexpensive route

I want to go for nice so I don't have to buy twice. Would a single Atlantik Orphek v3 work? They have a picture on their website that looks promising...

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

Techie_ said:
I want to go for nice so I don't have to buy twice. Would a single Atlantik Orphek v3 work? They have a picture on their website that looks promising...

Now we are talking business!
I run the 2.1b and love it

Best way to answer that question is to shoot them an email Scott should get ahold of you.

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

twilliard said:
Now we are talking business!
I run the 2.1b and love it
Best way to answer that question is to shoot them an email Scott should get ahold of you.

The v3 looks like a great option for me tank, I contacted them to get a price, I think shipping will be expensive as I looks like it's coming from the UK...

Akida17th · Jan 31, 2016

Ocean Revive T247 units would work well with that size tank and wouldn't kill you pockets. Is there a reason you only want LEDs? Your best route will be T5 in my opinion and you can add an LED strip down the road for that pop. Your corals will probably grow quicker also given the proper conditions. Just my 2 cents

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

http://premiumaquatics.com/products...tbg849bSDUz4FBN-7ydF3mKnKirdD4qdcPBoCOMbw_wcB

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

Akida17th said:
Ocean Revive T247 units would work well with that size tank and wouldn't kill you pockets. Is there a reason you only want LEDs? Your best route will be T5 in my opinion and you can add an LED strip down the road for that pop. Your corals will probably grow quicker also given the proper conditions. Just my 2 cents

The reason for LEDs is I don't want to have to replace a $20 bulb each year. My LFS has a 4 bulb fixture with LED moonlights for $150, I'm torn between one nice LED, and buying $80 worth of good bulbs with the light.

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

Techie_ said:
The reason for LEDs is I don't want to have to replace a $20 bulb each year. My LFS has a 4 bulb fixture with LED moonlights for $150, I'm torn between one nice LED, and buying $80 worth of good bulbs with the light.

Been down that road! I feel so free mentally about not having to keep track of time and replacing bulbs.
All I do now is blow the fans out once a week.

Akida17th · Jan 31, 2016

Make sure if you go T5 you buy a reliable good fixture with adequate cooling and a good specular (usually german). I could care less about replacing bulbs if my livestock, which is worth thousands, is happy. I've never been able to get the same results with LED as T5, not even close to be honest. I'm running Radions on my new AIO 50 and miss my T5's. Wish I had room to add some T5's retrofit to it but in my living room so need a clean look.

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

twilliard said:
Been down that road! I feel so free mentally about not having to keep track of time and replacing bulbs.
All I do now is blow the fans out once a week.

Do you have a price for the v2.1 you recommended?

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

Scott will have to get you current price and availability of the 2.1 I got mine a little over a year ago

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

twilliard said:
Scott will have to get you current price and availability of the 2.1 I got mine a little over a year ago

And if both are out of my range, what would you recommend? SBreef? Or some black box, or T5?

eQuatics01 · Jan 31, 2016

Id do a reasonable HO LEDs and 4 T5's. For LEDs I'd look at a controllable strip of sorts that can be dimmed and colour adjusted. Like USA Orbit, and then regular T5's. You'll grow anything with that set up. But let's not get into current and parameters haha!!!

Techie_ · Jan 31, 2016

eQuatics01 said:
Id do a reasonable HO LEDs and 4 T5's. For LEDs I'd look at a controllable strip of sorts that can be dimmed and colour adjusted. Like USA Orbit, and then regular T5's. You'll grow anything with that set up. But let's not get into current and parameters haha!!!

Haha, thank you for your input that sounds like a really nice option for me! My parameters are (very close to) perfect!

Josh King · Jan 31, 2016

This is my light setup for less than $600. An Aquaticlife Edge + 2 Kessil A150 deep ocean blues. Not controllable but the edge has a nice sunrise sunset feature + timer and backup. The Kessils are on digital timers. So far so good. Running 1 Kessil since Nov. 2 since mid Dec.