Upgrading LEDs for sps dominated tank

Bender19 · 11/06/2013, 09:33 AM

I have an old setup with 120x 1 watt LEDs but I recently upgraded to a 24" deep tank and the lights just don't seem efficient for my sps. I was wondering what recommendations people can make for me as far as a new fixture(s). MH is out question due to heat (already battle enough heat from a mag24 and a mag12).

Thank you

RedStangGA · 11/06/2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender19

I have an old setup with 120x 1 watt LEDs but I recently upgraded to a 24" deep tank and the lights just don't seem efficient for my sps. I was wondering what recommendations people can make for me as far as a new fixture(s). MH is out question due to heat (already battle enough heat from a mag24 and a mag12).

Thank you

Tank dimensions?

Bender19 · 11/06/2013, 11:19 AM

48" wide 24" tall.

nanoreefer1000 · 11/06/2013, 03:27 PM

Maxspect, Reefbreeders, Nanobox, and DIY are good

zachts · 11/06/2013, 06:38 PM

Buildmyleds.com
Pacific Sun

or DIY, but I'm a cheap skate and partial to DIY.

Bender19 · 11/06/2013, 09:40 PM

Is there anything i should really look at when it comes to looking at LEDS? Most of the wavelengthsw look more or less the same throughout all the LEDs i've looked at.

ifarmer · 11/06/2013, 10:10 PM

6 bulbs T5 should be good and can give you good color as well

Bender19 · 11/08/2013, 05:05 AM

I see pacific rim has a combo t5 and led. What would be some benefits for a combo?

nanoreefer1000 · 11/08/2013, 05:09 PM

A combo would be AWESOME!
For a full spectrum led fixture these colors are usually used:
NW or CW and WW (I would do NW)
RB
CB
Cyan
DR or WW
and HV or TV (HV is better)

Bender19 · 11/15/2013, 11:44 AM

Does the reef breeder come w/ full spectrum? Also would u suggest x2 16" or x1 48"

Bob Nell · 11/15/2013, 11:53 AM

Look into the Sicce pumps. A comparable pump has less watts and a lot less heat.

Bender19 · 11/15/2013, 03:04 PM

The sicce pumps are not heavy duty enough for my tank. I need to push vertical 15' from basement to first floor tank.

dunc101 · 11/15/2013, 04:32 PM

LEDS:
- For value I would recommend reefbreeders Photon 48 ($500) which will cover the entire tank. Oceanrevive and reefradiance also have similar fixtures as the Photon 48 mentioned above.
- You may also want to look into the new 300 watt Maxspect Razor ($899) I believe.
LED/T5 - 4 x 54 watt T5 and 3 LED clusters ATI Powermodule. This is a VERY expensive fixture however ($1,782.95).

All LED fixtures above are 'full spectrum.' The ATI PM combo just has blues and whites I believe, but the T5's will make the unit full spectrum.

Over my tank, I have 2 of the 120 watt razors + 3 DIY T5's that I added to give it more light. I wish they would've had the 43.5 inch razor out when I bought mine (one I mentioned above) but I like my combo now at least. Note: some people say the Razor's look a bit too 'purple' for them and I can attest that I didn't even notice it until I added the 3 Blue + T5's to my tank (which I could clearly tell the difference when the T5's come on now of the 'purpleish' look).

ghostman · 11/16/2013, 09:02 AM

I agree with a hybrid T5/LED unit as the best of both worlds. The ATI system looks nice. The Pacific Sun is usually for wider tanks, and probably not worth the extra money. Reef Breeder lights are nice and full spectrum. A single Pacific Sun Hyperion will cover your tank and is top of the line, as are the GHL Mitras. I would look for full spectrum (down to 400nm (violet), easy control, easy upgrades, and reliability in an LED fixture. Good Luck.

11/06/2013, 09:33 AM	#1
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	Upgrading LEDs for sps dominated tank I have an old setup with 120x 1 watt LEDs but I recently upgraded to a 24" deep tank and the lights just don't seem efficient for my sps. I was wondering what recommendations people can make for me as far as a new fixture(s). MH is out question due to heat (already battle enough heat from a mag24 and a mag12). Thank you __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48

11/06/2013, 11:19 AM	#3
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	48" wide 24" tall. __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48

11/06/2013, 03:27 PM	#4
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	Maxspect, Reefbreeders, Nanobox, and DIY are good __________________ 6 gallon reef

11/06/2013, 09:40 PM	#6
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	Is there anything i should really look at when it comes to looking at LEDS? Most of the wavelengthsw look more or less the same throughout all the LEDs i've looked at. __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48

11/08/2013, 05:05 AM	#8
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	I see pacific rim has a combo t5 and led. What would be some benefits for a combo? __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48

11/06/2013, 06:38 PM	#5
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	Buildmyleds.com Pacific Sun or DIY, but I'm a cheap skate and partial to DIY.

11/06/2013, 10:10 PM	#7
ifarmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: New York City Posts: 243	6 bulbs T5 should be good and can give you good color as well

11/08/2013, 05:09 PM	#9
nanoreefer1000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area,CA Posts: 1,040	A combo would be AWESOME! For a full spectrum led fixture these colors are usually used: NW or CW and WW (I would do NW) RB CB Cyan DR or WW and HV or TV (HV is better) __________________ 6 gallon reef

11/15/2013, 11:44 AM	#10
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	Does the reef breeder come w/ full spectrum? Also would u suggest x2 16" or x1 48" __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48

11/15/2013, 11:53 AM	#11
Bob Nell Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: pittsburgh, pa Posts: 128	Look into the Sicce pumps. A comparable pump has less watts and a lot less heat.

11/15/2013, 03:04 PM	#12
Bender19 It is, what it is. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orchard Park, NY Posts: 258	The sicce pumps are not heavy duty enough for my tank. I need to push vertical 15' from basement to first floor tank. __________________ I take others advice, but only Truly learn from my own experience. Ammonia/Nitrate: 0; Calcium: 420; Magnesium: 1350; Alkalinity: 8.3dKH; Salinity: 1.025; Temp abt 79. Current Tank Info: 90g Mixed Reef; 75g Fuge; PM r36 SUMP; PM RL150; RB Photon 48 Last edited by Bender19; 11/15/2013 at 03:05 PM. Reason: spelling mistake

11/15/2013, 04:32 PM	#13
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 758	LEDS: - For value I would recommend reefbreeders Photon 48 ($500) which will cover the entire tank. Oceanrevive and reefradiance also have similar fixtures as the Photon 48 mentioned above. - You may also want to look into the new 300 watt Maxspect Razor ($899) I believe. LED/T5 - 4 x 54 watt T5 and 3 LED clusters ATI Powermodule. This is a VERY expensive fixture however ($1,782.95). All LED fixtures above are 'full spectrum.' The ATI PM combo just has blues and whites I believe, but the T5's will make the unit full spectrum. Over my tank, I have 2 of the 120 watt razors + 3 DIY T5's that I added to give it more light. I wish they would've had the 43.5 inch razor out when I bought mine (one I mentioned above) but I like my combo now at least. Note: some people say the Razor's look a bit too 'purple' for them and I can attest that I didn't even notice it until I added the 3 Blue + T5's to my tank (which I could clearly tell the difference when the T5's come on now of the 'purpleish' look). __________________ Duncan

11/16/2013, 09:02 AM	#14
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	I agree with a hybrid T5/LED unit as the best of both worlds. The ATI system looks nice. The Pacific Sun is usually for wider tanks, and probably not worth the extra money. Reef Breeder lights are nice and full spectrum. A single Pacific Sun Hyperion will cover your tank and is top of the line, as are the GHL Mitras. I would look for full spectrum (down to 400nm (violet), easy control, easy upgrades, and reliability in an LED fixture. Good Luck. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.