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Lighting expert? (1 Viewer)

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Epicurious

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Hello, I just joined this forum in an effort to find a really good lighting person. I have a 200 gallon tank I am prepping for A SPS dominant reef.

I need help with both lighting design and setup. I currently have 3 LEDs on my tank. 2 Hydra 32HDs and 1 Hydra 26. I have a wooden canopy on my tank which would make using MH very difficult. I have been looking at T5 hybrid systems and other LEDs.

I am looking for “the best” lighting guy in Houston, Tx.

Any recommendations?
 

TriggerFan

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I think my fellow reefers will say that lightning is a personal choice on how you want your tank to look and what lights you need to get that look.
LEDs only, T5s only, LEDs + T5s, LEDs + MH, T5s + MH it's all preference.

A hybrid fixture will certainly give you the advantage of using any of the combinations or switch them at any given time to get the look and light requirement for the type of coral you will have.

I am probably the least qualified to provide advice, but this is pretty much what I have learned and others are welcome to correct me.

On a separate note, if you decide to get a hybrid fixture, I have a like-new 48" Aquatic Life DX18 + bulbs for sale.
 
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Epicurious

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I think my fellow reefers will say that lightning is a personal choice on how you want your tank to look and what lights you need to get that look.
LEDs only, T5s only, LEDs + T5s, LEDs + MH, T5s + MH it's all preference.

A hybrid fixture will certainly give you the advantage of using any of the combinations or switch them at any given time to get the look and light requirement for the type of coral you will have.

I am probably the least qualified to provide advice, but this is pretty much what I have learned and others are welcome to correct me.

On a separate note, if you decide to get a hybrid fixture, I have a like-new 48" Aquatic Life DX18 + bulbs for sale.
I wish I could use the 48”... My tank is 72” wide. I feel I need a 60” fixture : )
 
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Far from an expert, but I’ll give you some of the current (most popular) lighting for SPS dominated tanks.

-6 Fixtures-

ATI LED Hybrid PowerModule
Metal Halides (wouldn’t go this route anymore, but still a lot of old school reefers using them.)
Giesemann Aurora Hybrid
The Orphek Atlantik V4 Gen 2
Ecotech Radion XR30 G5 Pro’s
The Aquatic Life DX18 Hybrid
 

Tangs

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I will never go back to t5s. Depending on what you want to grow in your tank I am very happy using LED lighting.
 

Stickboy97

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No expert here either, but I will say if you are going SPS, over do it... if you think 4 fixtures will cover well, get 5. I have 3 g4 XR30 Pro Radions on my 48" tank, grows sps very well.... I've heard lots of good things from people with combo t5 and LED, I just don't like the look.
 
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Epicurious

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No expert here either, but I will say if you are going SPS, over do it... if you think 4 fixtures will cover well, get 5. I have 3 g4 XR30 Pro Radions on my 48" tank, grows sps very well.... I've heard lots of good things from people with combo t5 and LED, I just don't like the look.
Don’t like the look? You mean the light they give off or the appearance of the fixture?
 

TX_Punisher

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Have you gotten your app and the lights to communicate? Set your program yet?

I have a 72” tank and i don’t think 2 32hd’s and a 26 would cut it for my sticks. A local has a 50g almost cube and runs 2 hydra 64’s high off the water with great results.

3 radion g5 pro with 200w each covers my 72” x 24” x 24” tank perfectly. image.jpg

still getting it dialed in and cleaned up.
 
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Epicurious

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Have you gotten your app and the lights to communicate? Set your program yet?

I have a 72” tank and i don’t think 2 32hd’s and a 26 would cut it for my sticks. A local has a 50g almost cube and runs 2 hydra 64’s high off the water with great results.

3 radion g5 pro with 200w each covers my 72” x 24” x 24” tank perfectly. image.jpg

still getting it dialed in and cleaned up.
Looking good! Yeah, I know I don’t have enough light yet for what I am trying to do. I did just buy a AquaticLife 61" T5HO X18 Hybrid NON-Dimmable Fixture today. It should be here by next weekend. Once I get it installed, I’ll need to get it all dial in for PAR level.
 

TX_Punisher

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How many T5 bulbs will that fixture have? Perhaps puck up another 32hd and sell the 26? I just swapped from an 8-bulb T5 60” ATI. IT WAS A WORKHORSE AND PAR MONSTER. Got tired of the heat and evap. Also saving $ on electricity with the swap.
 
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Epicurious

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How many T5 bulbs will that fixture have? Perhaps puck up another 32hd and sell the 26? I just swapped from an 8-bulb T5 60” ATI. IT WAS A WORKHORSE AND PAR MONSTER. Got tired of the heat and evap. Also saving $ on electricity with the swap.
Yes, it is a 4 bulb And my Hydras will mount staright to it. If I need more, then yes, I’ll find some more LEDs
 

Stickboy97

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Don’t like the look? You mean the light they give off or the appearance of the fixture?
I don't like the look of the t5 fixtures. I have my Radions mounted using 80/20 from the back (didn't like the ecotech arms) and they just float above the tank (rimless 105g). I tried a t5 hybrid fixture and I didn't like the look.

The light output & the pop is great
 
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Epicurious

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I don't like the look of the t5 fixtures. I have my Radions mounted using 80/20 from the back (didn't like the ecotech arms) and they just float above the tank (rimless 105g). I tried a t5 hybrid fixture and I didn't like the look.

The light output & the pop is great
Mine will be hidden under my canopy : )
 

Tangs

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Ya well don't flex your LEDs too much or they will snap. I get a lot less algae with led and they are a lot cheaper to buy and to run. But what ever tickles your fancy.
 
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