My new RSM 250 - LED recommendations

ViolentA79 · 03/17/2021, 09:22 AM

Hey all! Just joined the forum. I recently inherited a RSM 250 from my office as they decided they no longer wanted to pay for the upkeep. So last weekend we moved it into my house and so far it's doing great. Got everything I need for the care, kept all the original water and life in tact post move. Added some new fish. But now onto my issue. Only 2 T5s were on so I bought 6 replacement bulbs so I could get going on a replacement schedule. Come to find out, only 2 fixtures actually work. So it could be ballasts, could be something else. I don't know. All that said, I've heard from some fellow enthusiasts to look into LEDs. So I've been doing that and boy there's a lot out there. I've narrowed it down to a handful of options, but I don't really know what to do. Here is what I found in other forums and through researching.

Ideally I want something I can just drop into the current hood with little or no modifications save removing the current T5s and dropping something new in there.

Steve's LEDs - RED SEA MAX 250/C250 LED UPGRADE - PLUG AND PLAY - $799 but you know I'm gonna throw the add ons to make it $875

Reefbreeders - Photon 32-V2+ - $589 - look decent but not sure about the controls on them.

Aqua Illumination AI Hydra 32HD LED -$366 x 2

Noopsyche K7 PRO II LED Light - $155 x 2 and controller for $57

and finally... the cheapo option but might just be worth a try...

DSunY T75 Reef Led Aquarium Light - $185

Any help, recommendations, reviews would be so helpful as I'm driving myself insane trying to make the right/easiest decision here.

ViolentA79 · 03/17/2021, 07:01 PM

just found a pretty amazing deal on a kessil AP700, thoughts?

$549

ViolentA79 · 03/19/2021, 07:39 AM

Well, after much research, discussion and deliberation I took the plunge and I'm going to try the Steves LEDs retrofit kit. Seemed like the easiest and best install option as it's made custom for my hood. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes and post some pix when done. Thanks for all your input and fingers crossed this all goes well.

https://www.stevesleds.com/Red-Sea-M...lay_p_192.html

03/17/2021, 07:01 PM	#2
ViolentA79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 4	just found a pretty amazing deal on a kessil AP700, thoughts? $549

03/19/2021, 07:39 AM	#3
ViolentA79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 4	Well, after much research, discussion and deliberation I took the plunge and I'm going to try the Steves LEDs retrofit kit. Seemed like the easiest and best install option as it's made custom for my hood. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes and post some pix when done. Thanks for all your input and fingers crossed this all goes well. https://www.stevesleds.com/Red-Sea-M...lay_p_192.html