Reef Lighting - Old School vs latest tech....thoughts

[Michael71]

FWIW on my new 36”x36”x19” I’ve gone with an XR6 blue and a AI blade grow. (Maybe a glow too).

I really wanted more than just a single source of light. I had good luck with my AP700 and T5 combo before my crashes so the blades provide that extra coverage.

The main factor for me was mounting. Mounting on a deep tank is tricky with a pendant but the radon mounts are awesome for this application. Mobius is not the greatest but so far easier than the Kessil software.

I did love my old halide light but the heat and whatnot made it not worth it in the end.

@OriginalUserName Got pics of the cube with the lights?

 

[Oldreefer44]

All of the above will grow corals. Most led's give you control of the spectrum and intensity as opposed to the halides which while they grow coral well, are basically on and off. Some of the newer Led's even give you moonlight based on the lunar cycle and have been used to spawn corals. One, Stratons, actually gives you PAR readings that you can adjust. Consider spill over which can be irritating especially if in a often used room. Good luck.

 

[OriginalUserName]

@OriginalUserName Got pics of the cube with the lights?

I’ll be getting some up today if I can get the photos to look right. I have orange camera filters on the way.

 

[OriginalUserName]

@OriginalUserName Got pics of the cube with the lights?

1 with just the G6 on 20% AB+, the other also has the Coral Grow at mid/low setting.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

So i am planning a build and it may be unorthodox but i am planning the build around the available lighting on the market. Last reef was 15 years ago and i was a metal halide guy with a t5 filler. That said i want to do a mixed reef cube roughly 90 to 110gal display. After 3 weeks of reading, watching videos i have narrowed my selections down to the following:

Giesemann Spectra HQI 24" - can get 250 or 400w halide most likely radiums as phoenix 14k dont seem to be available anymore. Also has 4 T5 as its a hybrid system. recommended coverage is 39"x39"x28" depth. Approx initial cost $1000

Kessil A500X - 185w LED Compact Cluster with recommended coverage at 36"x36"x24-36" depth depending on lense. Aprrox initial cost $1000

Radion G6 Pro - 215w LED with recommended coverage of 48" both directions, assuming 24" depth but couldnt find that info. Approx initial cost $1300

AI Hydra 64 - 135w with recommended coverage of 30"x30"x24" depth. Most likely not going this route as i want my water depth at 20" and to hit a at least 90 gallon display i would need 32"x32" and if i go 110 the looking at 36"x36" wich means 2 fixtures at roughly $900 each with mounting etc.

So looking for opinions on people running these fixtures in the R2R community. How do you like them, how is your coral growth, what is the realistic light spread you are getting and what you dont like about them. For those running MH, how have you found availablity of bulbs and ballasts. Looking forward to your responses.

I hav 3 xr30 g5s. They are incredible, really customizable and blend from sunrise sunset to daylight really nicely. 6’ long 30” wide 24” deep aquarium. At 85% I have my acros in par from 200-450 halfway down. Par at the bottom is 130-190. The only downside I would say is they add a lot more heat to the water than the apex sky I had. But better built. I got mine used for 400$ each.

 

[nickng]

Im in the minority on this but,my pick would be halides with T5 filler. It's been ran and proven for decades and I'm getting great results. Here is a corrent pic of my tank. It's been running since September.

Really like the t5, halide spectrum. How long does the t5 and halide bulb last before needing to be replaced

 

[56longroof]

Really like the t5, halide spectrum. How long does the t5 and halide bulb last before needing to be replaced

The standard is to replace once a year.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I have a 48" 6 bulb ATI Dimmable Fixture with supplemental UV + Actinic LED's. IMO nothing beats T5's for growing corals. Biggest issue nowadays is finding T5 fixtures. The bulbs themselves will always be around.