Leds for a 6 ft by 3 ft 300 gal aquarium.

[Creetin]

Dunno if i will go all led or just for actinics.
I don't want to pay 2-4 grand to light this tank. I see lots of led 120 watt units on ebay for $169. I am on a strict budget. Please advise me on what i can get for the best bang for my buck and keep it within reason. Can i get by with 3 AI sols? Thats about the max of my budget. I KNOW about cheap you get what you pay for but i can get 6 for the price of 3 sols.
A little about my tank. Its a mixed reef with a center rock formation in the middle of the tank running the length of the tank. I like blue lighting, I run phoenix DE on 250 ballasts and 2 vho super actinics.

If theres a better option please LMK. Thanks

[spc1spc1]

I have a 6' by 3' by 27" tank and I have been looking at 6 AI sols or 3 Orphek dif 100s if theres a better option I'd like to know also

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by spc1spc1

I have a 6' by 3' by 27" tank and I have been looking at 6 AI sols or 3 Orphek dif 100s if theres a better option I'd like to know also

You will have dark areas with 6 AI on this sized tank.

[Creetin]

Originally Posted by snorvich

You will have dark areas with 6 AI on this sized tank.

So 3 i guess is out. LOL
What about 3 of the evo 150's? I dont really like the dimming features though.

[Creetin]

So a diy kit that would be the best would cost me around 2700 bucks. Sheesh. I like leds but I cant taker a hit like that right now. I am not 100% that hey have all the kinks worked out and be stuck with a old light in 1 year.

[Creetin]

Ok leaning to 4 AI sols now everything i need around $1700.

[ccuk]

check out the pasific sun leds , they do a 4x150w led panel full bluetooth controllability cree mx diode really really good piece of kit ,
stewart

[chadfarmer]

take a look at the apollo

[Creetin]

Thanks will do.

[C Dog]

LEDs are alot to build or buy but you dont have to replace bulbs every 9-12 months, CHEAPER electric bill, Tanks stays cooler, You can dim them, last for years. Alot of people DIY leds pay for them self in a few years due to cheaper electric bill and bulb replacements. DIY will be cheaper than a led that you buy pre made. Plus diy you can add more if its not enough and do the leds how ever you want.

[Kolognekoral]

I would look at the Vertex Illumilux module system. I use the Illumina (a complete fixture), but the modules allow for some interesting combis. If you are going to hide everything in a canopy, then a DIY may be a solution.

[DonaldLL]

"Budget" and "300 gal tank" don't belong in the same sentence
4 Sols on. 6'x3' tank is going to be less than optimal and may be less than sufficient. Be prepared to 'overspend' if you choose this route

[Creetin]

I know, I put a budget in place as i think LEDS are still evolving. Look at the track record in the last few years. If i was guaranteed that the fixture i buy is not going to change much in say 5 years i would not have a problem spending 3 grand. But since LEDS are still growing and could still make better refinements i don't want to be stuck with a "OLD" light in a year.
I pay a good deal for my tank and didn't skimp, But i know the stuff i bought will be around for years and I know its not going to get better, Except the lights in my case, But even with them i payed around a grand for them. (Halides and vho)
I get that i will not be replacing bulbs which in my case is $275 annually and would take me 6 years to recoup the cost. The electric well thats a wash because my heaters will have to work more.
I don't like to buy cheap products, But with such a evolving subject i refuse to spend buku bucks on a light that could be scrap in 2-3 years.

[Kolognekoral]

I hear ya. This is why I chose the fixture I did. Up-dating is a built-in option, even with the software. I've already added a red module to play with on one section to make comparisons before adding a second. For me, this is the best lighting I've owned in my 40+ years as aquarist. Believe me, I've seen it-done it over the years.

Jamie

Originally Posted by Creetin

I know, I put a budget in place as i think LEDS are still evolving. Look at the track record in the last few years. If i was guaranteed that the fixture i buy is not going to change much in say 5 years i would not have a problem spending 3 grand. But since LEDS are still growing and could still make better refinements i don't want to be stuck with a "OLD" light in a year.
I pay a good deal for my tank and didn't skimp, But i know the stuff i bought will be around for years and I know its not going to get better, Except the lights in my case, But even with them i payed around a grand for them. (Halides and vho)
I get that i will not be replacing bulbs which in my case is $275 annually and would take me 6 years to recoup the cost. The electric well thats a wash because my heaters will have to work more.
I don't like to buy cheap products, But with such a evolving subject i refuse to spend buku bucks on a light that could be scrap in 2-3 years.

[Creetin]

Thanks, I really like vertex stuff. I am paiently waiting the aquarium controller. Which would make it a better compliment to its lighting. Now if they would just have a sale. LOL

[Laith]

Orphek...

[Creetin]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I am sorry if i come across rude. I do appreciate the info given.
I am leaning SOL's or the apollo's and if i need more light i can always add reefbrite's to achive look, and par i need. 2 people i trust just said that 4 sol's would be enough.
Remember i dont have a ton of rock to light up just a 18 inch wide by 5 foot long rock island dead center of the tank.

[Creetin]

Heres an older full tank shot. I haved since added more rock but you get the idea. This is an island in the center of the tank theres roughly a foot in front and a foot in back of it that does not need strong lighting.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Then a 5' fixture would work for you.
Vertex makes one but don't know the price difference in what you were looking at.
FWIW - I run a Solaris i-5 unit & it is a sweetie!
Corals grow & the fish are happy.

[xCry0x]

I skimmed over the thread but you could probably get away with less lights since the only thing growing coral and demanding light is the narrow rock work in the middle of the tank.

If you have darker areas you could always supplement with cheaper lights, dont know how HORRIBLE having a run of the mill halogen bulb on each end of your hood would look, but since you dont need growing lights over the whole tank, you might be able to get away with it to save a lot of money.


And honestly if you were to buy 3 AI sol and then decide you want dif lights they re-sell used for pretty close to the retail..I would put 3 AI sol across the mid of the tank placing them left to right end on end, as opposed to front to back. See if they provide enough light, might be surprised.

[Wolfmann81]

Creetin - how deep is your tank? Nice simplified look in your tank BTW - I like it. Great for things to grow in! Make sure that whatever lighting you choose on this that it will be adequate to penetrate into what I assume is at least a 30" depth.

[Creetin]

Thanks!! I like simple rockwork with lots of bridges. Its 27 inches tall so i am right at the upper threshold of leds dropping par at the bottom of the tank. I think i can get by with 3 watt leds but i would not go anything less. JMO
Yeah i seem to think the SOLS will hold value better, and i can always add a couple more at a later date if i like them.
Now to wait for thanksgiving sales!!!

[this is me]

If you're gonna be worried about technology changing in a couple years, stay away from semiconductors!
LED took a drastic changed over the past 5 years and it will continue to improved. High power OLED lighting is now on the horizon.

I'm also planning on a 72"x36"x24" and lighting is the most difficult part. Not sure what to go with but DE MH is looking more and more pleasing. I would need a lot of LEDs over that sized tank and the cost would be through the roof. It would cost at least as the tank or more. While you don't have to change the bulb, the spectrum may change over time and can be less effective. Most LED fixtures requires you to change the whole panel to change a bulb!
I'm thinking 3x250W DE MH with good reflector can do the job better. A 250W DE bulb can be had for $40-50$(Pheonix, aquamaxx). Electric bill might be higher than running LEDs but if you need a crap load of LEDs to light the tank, the cost will be comparable.
Heat? Depends on your location. Some people actually can use some heat if they have a basement sump. I think I rather pay my electric bill to run the MH than the electric heater to keep my tank warm. This is especially true if cool/cold weather starts as early as late September to mid May.

Here's my lighting plan on excel file. Option 1 seem to be doable and feasible.
Option 3 would be really nice and I may not need two stripes but I doubt the 6" in width fixture can light up a 36" tank. Take it for what it's worth but on a large tank. I think MH is still plenty competitive against LED. Especially if you have a large sump sitting in a cool place.

[Wolfmann81]

I still run MH's (2x250w, 1x400w Hamiltons) on my 58". While it kills me to hear my chiller come on (cha-ching!), I am still not convinced that the LED market has hit a 'steady' point where I am not paying too much built-in R&D costs and/or the technology is on a significant upswing still.... I will wait 2 years and get better technology for less money. It is like plasma TV's 10 years ago, electric cars (Chevy volt, Leaf), 3D TV's now, etc etc. I think you get my point.

I do have a reef-friend who has 3 x 5w banks of LED's and they do fine down to 30" deep. I can't remember what brand they are, but I will say I was impressed with their coloring down to 30" for clams, sps.. I think he paid around $350 apiece (3 of them) on his 210G tank.

[boxer385]

go with the apollo system i think four would be enough. i have a 60x36x27 i'm going with 3