Maxspect Razor for 29 gallon?

[Virtual Balboa]

Hey everyone! I'm currently building a standard 29 gallon reef tank. I've got many of the supplies I need but I can not decide on a light. I live in an apartment with a cathedral ceiling so hanging a light isn't really an option. Neither is drilling into the wall to mount a light. I wanted to go with leds because I've been reading that they'll last for years and don't need to be changed periodically like fluorescents do. I should also mention that I don't want to build my own light. And I'd like something that has a controller whether built in or not. Ideally I'd like to be able to set the light on the tank very much like the Maxspect Razors can mount. I've been giving the Razor some serious consideration but it seems that if I get the 120W and set it on the tank I'll get dark spots on the sides. And would the 160W just be more overkill than the 120W? It seems like with all the options for leds and their lengths along with mounting options that the 160W Razor is going to be my best option. Can someone please share their thoughts on this?

[A sea K]

Check out this guys build thread. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2424411
He used a piece of 3/4" EMT pipe and fastened it to the stand as a support to hang his light. Very clean look and I used the idea myself but used a 1" pipe as I liked the more robust look. Turns out I could not make the bends sharp enough with the 1" so probably best to stick with 3/4.

[Virtual Balboa]

Thanks, if I were to hang a light that's how I'd have to do it. That looks nice and clean too. How do you bend the conduit? And do you know anything about the light he's using? Looks like I could save a lot of money going with that one.

[jfgoldfire]

Buy a conduit bender at home depot or lowes.

[sean obergfell]

Get the kessil A360we

I have them...love them....will buy them again!!!

You need one, with the goose neck and the 90 degree piece.

Looks very clean. A controller is an option as well.... I have one and it is wonderful

Call me if you want anymore info
716-790/2684

[Virtual Balboa]

Originally Posted by sean obergfell

Get the kessil A360we

I have them...love them....will buy them again!!!

You need one, with the goose neck and the 90 degree piece.

Looks very clean. A controller is an option as well.... I have one and it is wonderful



Call me if you want anymore info
716-790/2684

Thanks, Sean do you have a pic of your setup? I'm just about to go inside my work so I'll check out the light you recommended when I get home in the am.

[A sea K]

If you have any electrician friends you can borrow one from them as it is a needed tool for their daily routine and the 3/4 size is the most common. It will only take just a few minutes to bend the pipe.

I think the Evergrow lights are some of the chinese offerings and if I remember right does not have the ramp up and down dimming effect. I was very close to going with LedZeal fixture as it has this feature but in the end the minimal savings over the Razor was not worth the hassle. I went with 20.5" 120 watt version for my 24x24x12 30 gal tank. It's not yet installed so I have no feedback yet, hopefully tomorrow.

[AdamNC]

I use the 27"16k on my 29 gallon and have zero shading other then under the rocks. It's not over kill because you can dim them down. Currently I'm running the fixture at peak time at ch1: 60 ch2: 75 and my corals love it. I don't think I'll go any higher and everything seems to be doing real nice and growing and coloring nicely.

[Virtual Balboa]

Originally Posted by AdamNC

I use the 27"16k on my 29 gallon and have zero shading other then under the rocks. It's not over kill because you can dim them down. Currently I'm running the fixture at peak time at ch1: 60 ch2: 75 and my corals love it. I don't think I'll go any higher and everything seems to be doing real nice and growing and coloring nicely.

It's nice to hear from someone who's using this light for the same sized tank as I have. Without doing further investigation I don't know if your skimmer sticks up higher than mine. Should I be concerned about clearance issues with my hob skimmer. How far above the water is the light using tank mounts?

[Virtual Balboa]

A sea K let me know how that goes.

[Virtual Balboa]

A sea K let me know how that goes please.

[liven learn]

Originally Posted by Virtual Balboa

It's nice to hear from someone who's using this light for the same sized tank as I have. Without doing further investigation I don't know if your skimmer sticks up higher than mine. Should I be concerned about clearance issues with my hob skimmer. How far above the water is the light using tank mounts?

It's roughly 8 inches you will be good with your hob skimmer. Love the razors glad to see more people wanting them. I use 2 160s 10ks on my 93 cube. They look great the way their mounts are designed. You cant go wrong. And you should.not have shading. I had 1 on my tank just to try it out and it was perfect. I have 2 so I figured might as well use it. If worse came to worse maxspect sells different degree optics for them.

[Virtual Balboa]

Oops didn't mean to post twice. I was using my phone at work. I'm very seriously leaning toward the 27" Razor. The idea of anything made in China doesn't sit well with me even though it's probably not all bad. At least it seems to be getting better. The Kessil A360we looks pretty sweet also but it is rated for a 24" spread that might leave me with some dark spots? Or nothing can grow outside of 24"? Also was reading about people having issues with the goose neck on framed tanks. hmm??? Another thought was the Razor 120 watt with 120 degree white reflectors.

[AdamNC]

My skimmer sits at the same height as the light and there is plenty of clearance as the light can be pulled forward just a hair. With my light dead center of the tank there is about 2 inches or so of a space.

[liven learn]

Anymore everything is made in China some how.

[Virtual Balboa]

Originally Posted by liven learn

Anymore everything is made in China some how.

I agree 100%. I guess it all depends on what you're buying. Chinese made is synonymous with being poor quality and will be to me for a while. But I've been reading about people who have been having great success with cheaper led units that pack more options for the price. Reef Breeders and Reef Radiance units seem to get favorable reviews. It's sort of disappointing to me that the light I really like so far being the 160 watt Razor looks so much better than those but doesn't even come with as many options for nearly twice the price! Everything runs on wifi nowadays. My computer, phone, and TV can all be linked together. Why not my aquarium light? The thing I dislike the most about the Chinese lights are really just how they look and the fact that I would have to hang them.

[azdiver]

How about these?http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ECH...3622597&sr=8-1

[Virtual Balboa]

That light looks identical to the Reef Breeders Photon 24" I've checked out a few times. Same price too. My issue with those lights are the looks compared to the Maxspect for one. But even more that I'd have to come up with a way to hang it which was part of my original dilemma. I've been checking this one out for a couple days too. Brand new and 3 programmable channels through wifi via an phone or tablet app: http://reefradiance.com/dm-165p1.html