Upgrading tank... Let's talk lighting.

[Ccondo]

I am moving up from my current tank. It is a 185 gallon tank (60x30x24) and is currently lit by an ATI 10x54w fixture with great success.
I am moving up to a 78"x36"x28"h tank. It will have a canopy so it does not have to have a solid fixture.
Here are my thought, please advise.
1) Go with ATI PM fixtures 2 x 8 bulb 80w fixtures only 60" so that leaves 18" short on length.
2) Go with LumenMax elites 3 x250w 10k and supplement with either T5 or LED

I am leaning towards option 2 but don't know how best to proceed. Get 2 ATI sunpower 4x80w? I'd like to go actinic/blue LED but don't know my options... Maybe 4 of the CoralSky SLs with optics?

Also, any exprience with the Lumatek dimmable ballasts?

Thanks, all thoughts are welcome...
-C.J.

[scubasteve06]

On a tank that size I'd go with option number two and use a retrofit kit for T5 supplementation. Although the LED craze is in full swing now you'll probably get a lot of mixed opinions on this subject. Back to the options though like I said use the 10k bulbs for growth and supplement with T5's or LED's. I really love the new AI LED's, but they are really pricey. If you can afford them I think they are by far the way to go. 5-10 year bulb life and no heat will save you a fortune on bulbs, electricity, and a chiller if you don't already have one. The AI unit should pay for themselves by year 2-3. And since you have had a big tank in the past and are upgrading to an even bigger tank I'd think you'll be in this hobby long enough for the AI units to pay for themselves. If I had the money I'd get the AI units. The features they use are second to none as far as controllability and flexibility with sunrise, sunset, programmable moon simulation etc...And from the PAR readings I have seen they are just as comparable as MH if not even better, and this is with people using them half power with the white spectrum at 50% and blue at 100%. There is a AI thread on here complete with PAR readings and showing its controls. The guy who created the thread has the AI units on one tank and the Maxspect units on his frag tank. The par differences and spread is incredible over the Maxspect, not to mention the features they offer. Just my 2 cents to contribute to your thoughts.

[Ccondo]

Thanks for the reply. I have looked into the AI units. I posted a question in the AI forum and was told I'd need at least 6 units and that that may not be enough. I got slightly overwhelmed when I was told about varying optics needed and concern about being enough for SPS/clams...
If I found the AI to be a good solution I would contemplate forking over the cash for long term benefit.
The messages I received were mixed and it seems that LED is still in early development...

[neogenix]

I recently went through the same process, and eventually chose the AI kit. While they recommend a module per 1 foot of tank, so 6 in your case, you can certainly get away with a few less to start with, I myself am doing so, as well as many people I know in person are doing so...

The big thing to bare in mind is that if you do use smaller modules, you'll have to raise them further from the tank, thus lowering the par, but it'll still perform decently, and possibly outperform from a pure par numbers perspective a comparable T5, or maybe even a lower powered MH.

The thing that made the choice for me, was the 3 year bulb and electricity numbers... at roughly around $40/year per 100W of lighting for me, a 716W fixture comes out to be pretty costly in just electricity... also when I looked around, I managed to find an amazing deal online for 10% off, with free shipping, and a free rail (PM me for details if you want)

[detroit_fan]

I personally would go with the MH's, but I like the look of a MH tank so I may be biased. I really believe either would be a good choice.

[Rockys_Pride]

I'd say option 3, skip to the LEDs and save some $$$ with no need to supplement. I just switched and the corals are loving it. By loving it, I mean a bunch of stuff (both SPS and LPS) is coloring up to colors they never showed under MH. I got these, http://reefkoi.com/coral/index.php?m...roducts_id=840, but not from him.

I know this is the second coming of the LEDs, the first one was a flop, the second looks promising though. It is my OPINION that certain LEDs can hold their own against MH. just my .02

[Ccondo]

I really want LEDs to be the answer but I'm skeptical of the AI's small modules... I would love a Sfiligoi Genesis but that would be just over $6000! I was revisiting and the length once overflows are accounted for is probably around 66". So therefore, given my success with ATI and that I like to tinker with color I may go with T5s. I could go with the less expensive sunpowers since it will be in a canopy. Is there any difference other that looks and fan count with those ATI fixtures? Bulb changing is a b*(@ch though, and it would be like 16 bulbs...
Or I could go MH since it is cheapest to do and just plan on doing LEDs

[scotteod]

I like MH and supplementing with royal blue LED. The blue strip from coralskyLED made the best of 2010 list on the RB site...
http://************.com/2010/12/31/r...ducts-of-2010/
Hopefully RC won't yank this post cause of the link to their competitor...lol

[scotteod]

LOL...link broken...