The wife says - BDay surprise Lights or Reef Controller

asudavew · 08/06/2013, 09:56 AM

I'm currently remodeling our front den for my new 180.

6x2x2.

My wife surprised me yesterday by telling me, for my B-day, she should would buy lights or a reef controller for my new tank.

What to do?

I'm leaning toward lights... but have no idea what.

I'm leaning toward a Neptune Apex system... but not sure exactly what I want to do with it...

Neptune's are about $500 so... I'm thinking of selecting lights in that price range or a bit more.

I'm open to suggestion!

Help a feller out!

What would you get?

Mattewell · 08/06/2013, 10:00 AM

If it was me, and I needed lights, I would get lights. A controller is nice, but not a necessity. Lights are needed, and if you plan on stoney corals, you will need decent lights.

thegrun · 08/06/2013, 10:15 AM

Get the lights, for a 180 gallon system they will cost a lot more than the controller.

Bpb · 08/06/2013, 11:12 AM

Definitely lights. Controllers will hold their resale value better, but they just make things more convenient, they don't actually open up possibilities of livestock the way lights will. Budget will dictate what you can get. You could light that tank with 4 radions or two reef breeders fixtures (for half the price of the radions).

asudavew · 08/06/2013, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the opinions. I was thinking lights too. I'll have to cheek out the radions and the reef breeders. I've already been checking out the ATI t5ho units. They look nice too.

55350man · 08/06/2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Get the lights, for a 180 gallon system they will cost a lot more than the controller.

Agreed. Get as much out of your bday as possible lol

sanababit · 08/06/2013, 09:22 PM

Get the lights first, they will be more expensive than the controller, good luck and happy bday

Sana

CedzAquAddictio · 08/06/2013, 09:58 PM

Just make sure you get lights that can work with a controller in case you get a controller later...

Sure, the controller can turn all lights on and off, but, they can also control the dimming as well if you get the right lights...

asudavew · 08/06/2013, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CedzAquAddictio

Just make sure you get lights that can work with a controller in case you get a controller later...

Sure, the controller can turn all lights on and off, but, they can also control the dimming as well if you get the right lights...

Any suggestions?

thegrun · 08/06/2013, 10:53 PM

I've been very happy with my AI Vegas if you are thinking of going LED. I don't get as much growth with LEDs as used to under metal halide lighting, but my electricity bill went way down and no more chiller noise! The corals themselves have great color, just not as much growth.

08/06/2013, 09:56 AM	#1
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	The wife says - BDay surprise Lights or Reef Controller I'm currently remodeling our front den for my new 180. 6x2x2. My wife surprised me yesterday by telling me, for my B-day, she should would buy lights or a reef controller for my new tank. What to do? I'm leaning toward lights... but have no idea what. I'm leaning toward a Neptune Apex system... but not sure exactly what I want to do with it... Neptune's are about $500 so... I'm thinking of selecting lights in that price range or a bit more. I'm open to suggestion! Help a feller out! What would you get? __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

08/06/2013, 07:15 PM	#5
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	Thanks for the opinions. I was thinking lights too. I'll have to cheek out the radions and the reef breeders. I've already been checking out the ATI t5ho units. They look nice too. __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

08/06/2013, 09:22 PM	#7
sanababit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uranus Posts: 3,094	Get the lights first, they will be more expensive than the controller, good luck and happy bday Sana __________________ Senior Member of the "Hardly any Water Changes, Temp Swinging, T5ing, No Qtining, Frag Exchanging for Fish Food Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae

08/06/2013, 10:00 AM	#2
Mattewell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rochester,Mn Posts: 308	If it was me, and I needed lights, I would get lights. A controller is nice, but not a necessity. Lights are needed, and if you plan on stoney corals, you will need decent lights.

08/06/2013, 10:15 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Get the lights, for a 180 gallon system they will cost a lot more than the controller.

08/06/2013, 11:12 AM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Definitely lights. Controllers will hold their resale value better, but they just make things more convenient, they don't actually open up possibilities of livestock the way lights will. Budget will dictate what you can get. You could light that tank with 4 radions or two reef breeders fixtures (for half the price of the radions).

08/06/2013, 09:58 PM	#8
CedzAquAddictio Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 931	Just make sure you get lights that can work with a controller in case you get a controller later... Sure, the controller can turn all lights on and off, but, they can also control the dimming as well if you get the right lights...

08/06/2013, 10:53 PM	#10
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I've been very happy with my AI Vegas if you are thinking of going LED. I don't get as much growth with LEDs as used to under metal halide lighting, but my electricity bill went way down and no more chiller noise! The corals themselves have great color, just not as much growth.