Help with choosing LEDs

[sjfishguy]

I am looking for opinions for a specific situation. I have been keeping SPS for over 20 years. Started with MH, then T5s, then tried LEDs and they were crap 10 years ago, went back to T5s. Currently have 120g mixed reef with a lot of acros out growing the tank. Also a 10 year old, 18” blue derasa clam that is also outgrowing the tank. Planning on a 265g custom in wall build, 60”long X 34” high X 34” deep, there is a small room behind the tank. I currently have a 48” 8x54w ATI powermodule that is a beast, but also produces a lot of heat that I think will be too hot when I move it to the room. So I want to convert to LEDs now on the 120 (48x24x24) to give everything time to adjust and then move over to the new tank. But I want use the same LEDs or add to it when I move to the 265g. I do not want to supplement with bars, strips, or T5s that defeats the point to me. Another factor is a run a very balanced whiteish tank. Like 14k look or even 12k. I dislike the actinic/purplish look/hue. I do not want radions, don’t want to deal with the garbage app with all the problems and pay a premium for it. I tried reefi uno 2.1 pros but all the power of the fixture is the RB and violets, which I don’t like the look. So I can’t get the par I need from them because they don’t hasv enough whites.

I have been looking a 48” reefbreeder because it has a lot of whites but is that enough when I go to a 60” tank? Or get two 24” now, mounted perpendicular, then add another perpendicular when I get the 60” tank (which is also 34” wide). Other fixture options? No chinese black boxes. I need a fixture with a lot of white. Unique situation, thanks for the opinions

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Never dealt with covering that much tank, but will tell you the Orphek Natura iCon I have is an awesome light. But would love to see some pics of your tank

 

[TX_REEF]

Reefbreeder photon fixtures seem to garner good reviews. How about kessil 360s?

 

[SudzFD]

I am looking for opinions for a specific situation. I have been keeping SPS for over 20 years. Started with MH, then T5s, then tried LEDs and they were crap 10 years ago, went back to T5s. Currently have 120g mixed reef with a lot of acros out growing the tank. Also a 10 year old, 18” blue derasa clam that is also outgrowing the tank. Planning on a 265g custom in wall build, 60”long X 34” high X 34” deep, there is a small room behind the tank. I currently have a 48” 8x54w ATI powermodule that is a beast, but also produces a lot of heat that I think will be too hot when I move it to the room. So I want to convert to LEDs now on the 120 (48x24x24) to give everything time to adjust and then move over to the new tank. But I want use the same LEDs or add to it when I move to the 265g. I do not want to supplement with bars, strips, or T5s that defeats the point to me. Another factor is a run a very balanced whiteish tank. Like 14k look or even 12k. I dislike the actinic/purplish look/hue. I do not want radions, don’t want to deal with the garbage app with all the problems and pay a premium for it. I tried reefi uno 2.1 pros but all the power of the fixture is the RB and violets, which I don’t like the look. So I can’t get the par I need from them because they don’t hasv enough whites.

I have been looking a 48” reefbreeder because it has a lot of whites but is that enough when I go to a 60” tank? Or get two 24” now, mounted perpendicular, then add another perpendicular when I get the 60” tank (which is also 34” wide). Other fixture options? No chinese black boxes. I need a fixture with a lot of white. Unique situation, thanks for the opinions

The 48” is not enough for a 60” tank. I highly recommend the Smatfarm black box LEDS from Amazon. They are great and you can add multiple units to be slaves so you will never really be limited on how many lights you want. You can adjust the full spectrum and it has plenty of warm and cool white to mix in. I run mine with more white than most as well.

If not that brand, they have some other similar options that I think would work well in your situation.

Time to move away from strip lights.

 

[SudzFD]

Amazon.com

 

[WvAquatics]

Reefbreeders is a great light. I wouldn't buy a 48" if you are planing to upgrade later. Unless the $ isn't an issue. Look into the Quanta Atlas. 3x3 coverage per light for 500$ with a 10k mh white look. Might not fully cover the 120 but you will grow corals in the whole tank and upgrading you just buy another tank.

 

[rtparty]

What’s your budget?

ATI Straton Pros are an incredible light that penetrate the 34” and have plenty of wiggle room for color adjustments. But they aren’t cheap. You’d only need 2-3 of them.

The Reefbreeders lights are well liked in the hobby. They have a disco effect to my eye so I could never stand to run them.

 

[reeftivo]

I think the Helius program on my Orphek Natura looks very similar to 14K. I used to run 14k ushio bulbs on my old Hamilton fixture and to me it looks very similar. nice crisp light!

here's a pic on day 7 of the Naturas' acclimation program which is "helius". This was at 40% all channels on my 75 (14" from the surface of the water)

 

[xCROv]

I'm a huge fan of the lights that Reefi offers. They out perform most of these 1k+ lights and are half the price. I think the guy that makes them posts here and Humblefish also.

 

[TX_REEF]

I'm a huge fan of the lights that Reefi offers. They out perform most of these 1k+ lights and are half the price. I think the guy that makes them posts here and Humblefish also.

I think reefi is great too, but OP said he doesn't like the blue/purple heavy light that is visible when the power is turned up

 

[Dburr1014]

I am looking for opinions for a specific situation. I have been keeping SPS for over 20 years. Started with MH, then T5s, then tried LEDs and they were crap 10 years ago, went back to T5s. Currently have 120g mixed reef with a lot of acros out growing the tank. Also a 10 year old, 18” blue derasa clam that is also outgrowing the tank. Planning on a 265g custom in wall build, 60”long X 34” high X 34” deep, there is a small room behind the tank. I currently have a 48” 8x54w ATI powermodule that is a beast, but also produces a lot of heat that I think will be too hot when I move it to the room. So I want to convert to LEDs now on the 120 (48x24x24) to give everything time to adjust and then move over to the new tank. But I want use the same LEDs or add to it when I move to the 265g. I do not want to supplement with bars, strips, or T5s that defeats the point to me. Another factor is a run a very balanced whiteish tank. Like 14k look or even 12k. I dislike the actinic/purplish look/hue. I do not want radions, don’t want to deal with the garbage app with all the problems and pay a premium for it. I tried reefi uno 2.1 pros but all the power of the fixture is the RB and violets, which I don’t like the look. So I can’t get the par I need from them because they don’t hasv enough whites.

I have been looking a 48” reefbreeder because it has a lot of whites but is that enough when I go to a 60” tank? Or get two 24” now, mounted perpendicular, then add another perpendicular when I get the 60” tank (which is also 34” wide). Other fixture options? No chinese black boxes. I need a fixture with a lot of white. Unique situation, thanks for the opinions

If* you go with the Reefbreeders do not get the 48". The ends are dark. I put them on my 60" so I do know for fact.

You are getting a wide tank. I see your point not mixing. IMO, you would probably like (4) 24" fixtures. It would blanket the tank. 1 fixture centered in each quadrant.

Or 3 fixtures down the middle turned 90° with t5's flanked.

 

[xCROv]

I think reefi is great too, but OP said he doesn't like the blue/purple heavy light that is visible when the power is turned up

Totally missed that. Yeah, I could see that being an issue if you're wanting something more balanced on the heavy white side to be honest.

 

[WvAquatics]

I would definitely look into the Quanta Atlas it will reach the bottom and cover 3x3 for sps.

 

[WvAquatics]

Products

Quanta Lights

www.quanta-lights.com

 

[WvAquatics]

Thread 'Custom building my "New Frag System" picked up my glass yesterday' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...-system-picked-up-my-glass-yesterday.1057976/
Some tank shots not many using atlas yet

 

[WvAquatics]

Last couple pages are full of photos of the light

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a photon 48 on a 48” tank and it’s perfect for it. It won’t cover a 60

You would need to get the 24’s mounted perpendicular. And the photons are excellent lights

 

[VintageReefer]

I didn’t do much fine tuning basically just bumped white up over my current settings but you can go as white as you want, and there’s plenty of blues and violets for evening / night viewing to give plenty of color pop

 

[dkline]

I am looking for opinions for a specific situation. I have been keeping SPS for over 20 years. Started with MH, then T5s, then tried LEDs and they were crap 10 years ago, went back to T5s. Currently have 120g mixed reef with a lot of acros out growing the tank. Also a 10 year old, 18” blue derasa clam that is also outgrowing the tank. Planning on a 265g custom in wall build, 60”long X 34” high X 34” deep, there is a small room behind the tank. I currently have a 48” 8x54w ATI powermodule that is a beast, but also produces a lot of heat that I think will be too hot when I move it to the room. So I want to convert to LEDs now on the 120 (48x24x24) to give everything time to adjust and then move over to the new tank. But I want use the same LEDs or add to it when I move to the 265g. I do not want to supplement with bars, strips, or T5s that defeats the point to me. Another factor is a run a very balanced whiteish tank. Like 14k look or even 12k. I dislike the actinic/purplish look/hue. I do not want radions, don’t want to deal with the garbage app with all the problems and pay a premium for it. I tried reefi uno 2.1 pros but all the power of the fixture is the RB and violets, which I don’t like the look. So I can’t get the par I need from them because they don’t hasv enough whites.

I have been looking a 48” reefbreeder because it has a lot of whites but is that enough when I go to a 60” tank? Or get two 24” now, mounted perpendicular, then add another perpendicular when I get the 60” tank (which is also 34” wide). Other fixture options? No chinese black boxes. I need a fixture with a lot of white. Unique situation, thanks for the opinions

Have you looked at Dalua Illumagic x4? The pucks in the light are interchangeable so you can configure the light output you wants or replace if anything fails, they tout low heat production as well. The guys from World Wide aquarium have started using them as well.

Illumagic X4

YOU'RE READY, IT'S TIME TO MOUNT Rear mounting arm Rail Mounting Slider System Rails Only Hanging Kit for X4

dalua.com

 

[sjfishguy]

Thanks so much for all the feedback. I think I want to stick with a more tried and true brand, rather than newer brands, I appreciate it though. Good to know a 48” RB won’t work for 60”. Do you guys think the disco ball effect of the RB is any worse than any others? Also, what about orphek atlantik? Anyone have thoughts on those? I just don’t like that big ugly antennae sticking out of those. And the ATI fixture I think is just too expensive. Thanks so much for all the opinions