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Advice? What lighting would you choose?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Fence13, Apr 12, 2016.

Which lighting option do you choose?

  1. Hamilton cebu 24" mh/t5

    3 vote(s)
    17.6%

  2. ATI 24" 8 bulb

    6 vote(s)
    35.3%

  3. 2 Kessil 360s

    4 vote(s)
    23.5%

  4. Other: comment below

    4 vote(s)
    23.5%
  1. Apr 12, 2016 #1
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Seems like a nice time to ask this question as there are a couple other talks about lighting going on.

    I've been debating this for awhile now and interested in everyone's thoughts. I've asked a couple of you but wanted to get a poll.

    The tank I'm lighting is 30x30x24 and the goal is mixed reef, LPS and sps. Grow stuff on the bottom without burning the top row corals.

    Thinking about the following:
    24" Hamilton cebu mh with t5
    24 " ATI Sunpower 8 bulbs
    2 Kessil 360
    Other
     
  2. Apr 13, 2016 #2
    glaspie69

    glaspie69 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I opted for the kessil ap700 rather than two 360s, mainly because cost wise to buy 2 and a controller was the same price as the ap700, the ap has a built in wireless option and an app tbat you can program via tablet. Super easy to provram and change whwn needed, color options are awesome and the overall look is the closest ive seen to a halide, ive had great color and growth out of everything ive thrown at it. After being a halide guy for years im happy with the switch
     
  3. Apr 13, 2016 #3
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    It's interesting to see how there is no clear winner yet! The T5 is only ahead by one vote.
     
  4. Apr 13, 2016 #4
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    I would like to see the more tank's and long term results under kessil's, I really think they have something better going than all the other LED manufacturers.
    Kessils with some T5's as additional/supplemental lighting would be something I would love to try. I think there are more benefits with less drawbacks to an LED T5 combo than any single fixture or other combo.
     
  5. Apr 14, 2016 #5
    glaspie69

    glaspie69 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I have 4 diy t5s ill be adding in addition to my ap700, my 75 is at the spread limit for the fixture and its hard for me to get decent lighting to the very bottom corners of the tank so i figure i might as well see how the combo works
     
  6. Apr 14, 2016 #6
    Kungpaoshizi davenport

    Kungpaoshizi Well-Known ReefKeeper

    561
    davenport
    Ratings:
    +39 / 1 / -0
    Led's, but not too familiar with the kessil. (radions ftw :) )
     
  7. Apr 14, 2016 #7
    Roman Cedar Rapids, IA

    Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    I have the same tank . A marineland 93 gallon cube. I have 1 xr30 pro with the RMS mounts over each of my cubes and the lighting is more than adequate and it still maintains a clean look above.
     
  8. Apr 14, 2016 #8
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    I really really like what T5s do for coral.

    But I dont like the thought of changing bulbs every 6-12 months.
     
  9. Apr 14, 2016 #9
    Roman Cedar Rapids, IA

    Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

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    The Ati is definitely a nice fixture but it is a pretty big fixture to work around and having to change out 8 bulbs all of the time will be costly.
     
  10. Apr 14, 2016 #10
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Just one? Do you have any issues with shadowing? Part of the reason I run two 350's at the moment is because one creates too many shadows.
     
  11. Apr 14, 2016 #11
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    That is the drawback to T5 and MH :(

    The T5/MH combo of the cebu fixture has the same drawback, although MH bulbs are a bit pricey compared to their T5 cousins.
     
  12. Apr 14, 2016 #12
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
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    Nice. keep us updated on how you like the combo.
     
  13. Apr 15, 2016 #13
    mrelaz Waterloo, IA

    mrelaz

    137
    Waterloo, IA
    Ratings:
    +20 / 0 / -0
    If you go with kessil 360's I'll sell 2 8 months of use with the controller for $500.
     
  14. Apr 15, 2016 #14
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    It's tempting to stick with Kessil because they have a great track record with me. They can be expensive when new but you can buy used for a good price. Then you either get the controller or the apex module if you have the Apex Jr which is what I have on that tank. :(

    Since some of you suggested the Radions I did look into a bit. The Radion x30 is tempting because it's only one module :D compared to the two you need for the Kessils , could be some shadowing but there are two LED pucks instead of one. It's cheaper because you only need one. Which is why I'm even considering it. :) If I had to get two x30's I wouldn't even consider this an option.

    Kind of surprised no one mentioned AI Hydra 52s. Maybe they just aren't as good as the Radions.

    Part of me wants to do something different then the LEDs I already run the the thought of going a different direction would be to using an all T5 or MH/T5 combo. I ran the "long term" cost numbers over lunch today and by the time I change out my 2nd set of bulbs, I would surpass the price of the Radion. Unless I bought a used fixture, that was on "brand new" fixtures.

    I'm sometimes too cheap to want to spend that much money every year. I'm jealous of those who run all T5 or even MH fixtures long term. I don't deny how awesome they look.
     
  15. Apr 15, 2016 #15
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

    2,382
    Davenport, IA
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    The ATI you change bulbs every 12 months. Cheaper fixture that don't cool as well or over cool then 6 to 9 months.
    Halides. Depending on ballast and bulb 12-18 months before replacement. Also depending on light times run per day. You can find used to and halide setups used at decent prices too. That would help also. And if your hung up on annual bulb change costs you better not consider these and go led.
     
  16. Apr 16, 2016 #16
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Naw I'm just the type of person who over thinks everything, particularly on big items like this. :)
     
  17. Apr 16, 2016 #17
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    Just think of it like buying bulk coral food for the year. :cool: And your heater won't run from now until November.
     
  18. Apr 19, 2016 #18
    Fence13 Des Moines

    Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Sometimes it's the other factors. With the temperature finally getting warm, my tank is running a max of 79 to 80 degrees now. Hesitant to add more heat in the room with the MH fixture.

    Additionally, the spousal factor. They don't want anything hanging and would prefer LEDS. Looks like that narrows down some options.
     

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