Need help picking an LED

Gomes · 12/11/2014, 02:00 AM

Hello reefcentral I am new to the hobby and trying to soak up as much information and opinions before I invest in my equipment.
With that being said on a 90 gallon aquarium with 20 or perhaps 30 gallon sump which of the following lights do you guys think is the best bang for your buck?
2 16" or 24" photons?
1 48" photon?
2 Radion XR15w Pros?
2 Raidon XR30w Pro or non Pro?

Lighting seems to be one of the most difficult parts to make a proper decision on with all the conflicting information just hoping to find some clarity here

Thanks

mikeatjac · 12/11/2014, 04:31 AM

Radion pro gets my vote.

Gomes · 12/11/2014, 04:36 AM

Thank you for responding! You think that 2 raidon XR15w pro's would handle a 90 gallon tank? I was iffy if they would have the power to do it. I also could buy a GEN 2 raidon XR30w [not pro] used but its only the single light. Would there be any harm in me purchasing a Gen 2 for a deal and then getting a Gen 3 XR30w to go beside it? Can I mix match the technology?

pisanoal · 12/11/2014, 07:01 AM

I can't speak to the specific fixtures you are asking about, but there shouldn't be any harm in pputting the different fixtures side by side. At least not from a coral health point of view. People mix lighting all the time. T5 and mh, t5 and led... Etc. The only concern I would have would be the aesthetics. Not sure how different the fixtures themselves look, or if the spectrums will be easily matched but that would be something to consider.

power boat jim · 12/11/2014, 07:13 AM

RadionXR15s would be good, they come with a wide angle lens. You could always add one more if needed but two on a 90 should be fine.

Gomes · 12/11/2014, 07:27 AM

One other question if I can't purchase this radion XR30w for a deal I was looking at would you guys recommend 2 24" photons or 1 48" photon. I will be hanging the lights from my ceiling and I have a canopy on my tank which measures 8" high. I read for 18-30" deep and 18-24" wide tanks you should hang the photons 8-12" high.
Thanks again

ghostman · 12/11/2014, 07:28 AM

Of your choices, I would pick the Reefbreeeder photons in 24" or 48" configuration. I base that one the use of warm white leds and the overall color the lamp produces. It is also far less money, which is a good thing as well

If you were to ask my opinion, I would suggest an ATI T5 unit. Based only on your post count, it seems you are a newer member and T5s may be a little more forgiving. Many reefers, even advanced ones, have some troubles dialing in leds for the best coloration and growth of their systems. That is debatable, and people have strong opinions on it. That's fine. Most people would agree that T5 is a safe way to go. JMO.

Gomes · 12/11/2014, 07:57 AM

Thanks. I am likely going to buy the Photon 48" because I think having to find a second XR30w to match would be difficult even if I can get the single one for a good deal. Only thing is the 48" reefbreeder is sold out atm. Other then the pleasant aesthetic look would there be any benefit to paying the extra $150 and buying 2 24" photons instead?

RiddlerJoe · 12/11/2014, 09:05 AM

Have you seen the ledzeal units? I just bought one for my 90 gallon and I've very impressed. It's a Chinese unit but to be honest it looks very well built. It fit perfectly into my canopy as it's just under 48".

Do a search on here and there's a huge thread about them. Plus there direct from the manufacturer which means huge savings.

Riddler

Gomes · 12/11/2014, 09:32 AM

With the reviews on the reefbreeder 48" photon and the price being $499 it seems like a very reasonable purchase. I just need help on the 2x 24" or 1x 48" opinion. Unless the Ledzeal unit is $300 or less I can't see the reason to choose it over the photon with how little information is out there. I wasn't able to even figure out a price on the units.

djkingtutt · 03/02/2015, 07:43 AM

This is late but I've had the Photon 48 from Reef Breeders for over a year now and it has been fantastic but, eventually I'm looking at two Radion XR30w Pro's for more control with my Apex.

Stackemdeep · 03/02/2015, 07:31 PM

Gomes,
I run the reefbreeder photon48 with the standard 90 optics. Tank is 24" deep. My sps showed marked improvement when I moved the fixture from 12" up to 17" off the water. Better blending, less spotlighting and happier coral. There is a fellow here that has a group of tanks and a fragging system who runs the Reefbreeders and he hangs his 20" off the water. You may find this thread worth the read. Good Luck.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2475731

12/11/2014, 02:00 AM	#1
Gomes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 58	Need help picking an LED Hello reefcentral I am new to the hobby and trying to soak up as much information and opinions before I invest in my equipment. With that being said on a 90 gallon aquarium with 20 or perhaps 30 gallon sump which of the following lights do you guys think is the best bang for your buck? 2 16" or 24" photons? 1 48" photon? 2 Radion XR15w Pros? 2 Raidon XR30w Pro or non Pro? Lighting seems to be one of the most difficult parts to make a proper decision on with all the conflicting information just hoping to find some clarity here Thanks

12/11/2014, 07:28 AM	#7
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	Of your choices, I would pick the Reefbreeeder photons in 24" or 48" configuration. I base that one the use of warm white leds and the overall color the lamp produces. It is also far less money, which is a good thing as well If you were to ask my opinion, I would suggest an ATI T5 unit. Based only on your post count, it seems you are a newer member and T5s may be a little more forgiving. Many reefers, even advanced ones, have some troubles dialing in leds for the best coloration and growth of their systems. That is debatable, and people have strong opinions on it. That's fine. Most people would agree that T5 is a safe way to go. JMO. __________________ 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.

03/02/2015, 07:31 PM	#12
Stackemdeep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Carolina Beach NC Posts: 429	Gomes, I run the reefbreeder photon48 with the standard 90 optics. Tank is 24" deep. My sps showed marked improvement when I moved the fixture from 12" up to 17" off the water. Better blending, less spotlighting and happier coral. There is a fellow here that has a group of tanks and a fragging system who runs the Reefbreeders and he hangs his 20" off the water. You may find this thread worth the read. Good Luck. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2475731 __________________ Paul Current Tank Info: 120g SPS tank

12/11/2014, 04:31 AM	#2
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	Radion pro gets my vote.

12/11/2014, 04:36 AM	#3
Gomes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 58	Thank you for responding! You think that 2 raidon XR15w pro's would handle a 90 gallon tank? I was iffy if they would have the power to do it. I also could buy a GEN 2 raidon XR30w [not pro] used but its only the single light. Would there be any harm in me purchasing a Gen 2 for a deal and then getting a Gen 3 XR30w to go beside it? Can I mix match the technology?

12/11/2014, 07:01 AM	#4
pisanoal Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 705	I can't speak to the specific fixtures you are asking about, but there shouldn't be any harm in pputting the different fixtures side by side. At least not from a coral health point of view. People mix lighting all the time. T5 and mh, t5 and led... Etc. The only concern I would have would be the aesthetics. Not sure how different the fixtures themselves look, or if the spectrums will be easily matched but that would be something to consider.

12/11/2014, 07:13 AM	#5
power boat jim Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wisconsin, The big peninsula Posts: 2,100	RadionXR15s would be good, they come with a wide angle lens. You could always add one more if needed but two on a 90 should be fine.

12/11/2014, 07:27 AM	#6
Gomes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 58	One other question if I can't purchase this radion XR30w for a deal I was looking at would you guys recommend 2 24" photons or 1 48" photon. I will be hanging the lights from my ceiling and I have a canopy on my tank which measures 8" high. I read for 18-30" deep and 18-24" wide tanks you should hang the photons 8-12" high. Thanks again

12/11/2014, 07:57 AM	#8
Gomes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 58	Thanks. I am likely going to buy the Photon 48" because I think having to find a second XR30w to match would be difficult even if I can get the single one for a good deal. Only thing is the 48" reefbreeder is sold out atm. Other then the pleasant aesthetic look would there be any benefit to paying the extra $150 and buying 2 24" photons instead?

12/11/2014, 09:05 AM	#9
RiddlerJoe Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Posts: 85	Have you seen the ledzeal units? I just bought one for my 90 gallon and I've very impressed. It's a Chinese unit but to be honest it looks very well built. It fit perfectly into my canopy as it's just under 48". Do a search on here and there's a huge thread about them. Plus there direct from the manufacturer which means huge savings. Riddler

12/11/2014, 09:32 AM	#10
Gomes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 58	With the reviews on the reefbreeder 48" photon and the price being $499 it seems like a very reasonable purchase. I just need help on the 2x 24" or 1x 48" opinion. Unless the Ledzeal unit is $300 or less I can't see the reason to choose it over the photon with how little information is out there. I wasn't able to even figure out a price on the units.

03/02/2015, 07:43 AM	#11
djkingtutt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 1	This is late but I've had the Photon 48 from Reef Breeders for over a year now and it has been fantastic but, eventually I'm looking at two Radion XR30w Pro's for more control with my Apex.