Upgrade advice: Lights or PHs

jiminy_crime · 03/14/2016, 09:33 PM

I have a chance to UG some equipment on my tank and am deciding between 3 things:
*Apex Controller
*2 Kessill 160WE pendant lights
*2 MP10's

Here is what I currently have on my 36 gallon bow front:
•No controller
•18" Orbit Marine LED fixture
•2-600 gph Aquatop PHs

Coral care is the direction I am moving and looking to go with something that is going to give me the best coral growth and longevity in my tank. Would also like to carry over as much of this equipment to my future UG of a bigger tank.

Thanks for the input!

kmbyrnes · 03/15/2016, 05:45 AM

I vote for lights.

homer1475 · 03/15/2016, 06:40 AM

While the controller is nice, it is just a toy afterall. Many many tanks run perfectly fine without one.

Your PH are sufficient for now, I vote for lights if you want to keep corals.

sde1500 · 03/15/2016, 06:49 AM

I would vote light as well.

MelloW33 · 03/15/2016, 07:14 AM

Lights!

drummerboyevil · 03/15/2016, 11:20 AM

What's your lighting budget (both immediate and long term (yearly))

TangingOut · 03/15/2016, 11:30 AM

Buy used and get both lights and pumps.

jiminy_crime · 03/15/2016, 05:10 PM

$500 is the budget.

I was leaning towards lights and everyone seems to agree.

I was thinking two Kessil pendant lights (160WE) as I have a brace on center of tank and want one shooting through both openings. Thoughts on anything better?

Maybe a Reeftorch?

jiminy_crime · 03/15/2016, 05:15 PM

Does anyone know where you can find used lights and pumps in good condition? Used make me nervous but would consider them if lightly used.

Ryan1190 · 03/15/2016, 05:31 PM

You can check the classifieds on the various forums, ebay, local reef clubs, facebook buy/sell groups, and craigslist for used lights. If you buy with paypal (not the family/friends option) you are covered if the lights or equipment are broken and not as described by the seller.

03/14/2016, 09:33 PM	#1
jiminy_crime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 981	Upgrade advice: Lights or PHs I have a chance to UG some equipment on my tank and am deciding between 3 things: Apex Controller 2 Kessill 160WE pendant lights *2 MP10's Here is what I currently have on my 36 gallon bow front: •No controller •18" Orbit Marine LED fixture •2-600 gph Aquatop PHs Coral care is the direction I am moving and looking to go with something that is going to give me the best coral growth and longevity in my tank. Would also like to carry over as much of this equipment to my future UG of a bigger tank. Thanks for the input! __________________ 1.025 SG/High-pH 8.021 Low-pH 8.00/9-9.3dKh/Ca 440/Mg 1280/Temp 78.5/NO3 .25 ppm/PO4 0/ORP 380 Current Tank Info: 91 gallon RSR 350/RO 152s protein skimmer/36” ATI Dimmable/Neptune WAV/Neptune Apex

03/15/2016, 05:45 AM	#2
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I vote for lights. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

03/15/2016, 06:40 AM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	While the controller is nice, it is just a toy afterall. Many many tanks run perfectly fine without one. Your PH are sufficient for now, I vote for lights if you want to keep corals. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

03/15/2016, 06:49 AM	#4
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	I would vote light as well. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

03/15/2016, 07:14 AM	#5
MelloW33 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 591	Lights! __________________ Mark

03/15/2016, 11:20 AM	#6
drummerboyevil Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 654	What's your lighting budget (both immediate and long term (yearly))

03/15/2016, 11:30 AM	#7
TangingOut Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,511	Buy used and get both lights and pumps.

03/15/2016, 05:10 PM	#8
jiminy_crime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 981	$500 is the budget. I was leaning towards lights and everyone seems to agree. I was thinking two Kessil pendant lights (160WE) as I have a brace on center of tank and want one shooting through both openings. Thoughts on anything better? Maybe a Reeftorch? __________________ 1.025 SG/High-pH 8.021 Low-pH 8.00/9-9.3dKh/Ca 440/Mg 1280/Temp 78.5/NO3 .25 ppm/PO4 0/ORP 380 Current Tank Info: 91 gallon RSR 350/RO 152s protein skimmer/36” ATI Dimmable/Neptune WAV/Neptune Apex

03/15/2016, 05:15 PM	#9
jiminy_crime Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 981	Does anyone know where you can find used lights and pumps in good condition? Used make me nervous but would consider them if lightly used. __________________ 1.025 SG/High-pH 8.021 Low-pH 8.00/9-9.3dKh/Ca 440/Mg 1280/Temp 78.5/NO3 .25 ppm/PO4 0/ORP 380 Current Tank Info: 91 gallon RSR 350/RO 152s protein skimmer/36” ATI Dimmable/Neptune WAV/Neptune Apex

03/15/2016, 05:31 PM	#10
Ryan1190 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Washington DC Posts: 109	You can check the classifieds on the various forums, ebay, local reef clubs, facebook buy/sell groups, and craigslist for used lights. If you buy with paypal (not the family/friends option) you are covered if the lights or equipment are broken and not as described by the seller.