60" ATi Hybrid vs 4x Radion XR30w pro's

[JohnnyBoyPerth]

Hi All,

Looking for options for lights for my new build 6 x 2.5w x 2h and need some advise.

I have been running a 3foot 8globe ATi hybrid over my current tank for 2years and have been impressed with its peformance but dont like the globe replacement every 12months. Gets expensive!

So potentially looking at 4 of the Radion XR30w pros or a larger 5foot ATi unit for my tank.

I am open to other suggestions but these are the lights i like currently. The only other light i have my eye on is the new Phillips coralcare LED fixture.

Thoughts?

[ReefCowboy]

Leds will make you thrilled with the colors you will see in the tank. Many have been having success with Radions these days.
The ATI performs, but makes the tank colors look "flat".
It seems you are ready for a change since you are tired of the bulb replacements. Maybe it is time to try the Radions?
I'm a T5 guy, but have been impressed with the Radion lit SPS tanks lately. It seems they are closing in on the correct settings ,height etc to be successful

[Superpuma]

Agree with ReefCowboy ref colours looking flat.... I went through a period of swapping and changing from PacificSun Hybrid to the pure LED of my ATI Sirius over my tank. For now l'm sticking with the ATI Sirius, the LED shimmer gives the tank more life, t5 , is as he says , kinda flat, but each to their own.

[Mark426]

Both have equal advantages and disadvantages IMO. If both are correctly setup for your tank, I bet your corals wont look or grow any different. Its really just a matter of your preference and budgeting.

Mark

p.s. At the end of 5 years I dont think there is any difference in the total costs of either fixture including the electrical costs.

[JohnnyBoyPerth]

Originally Posted by Superpuma

Agree with ReefCowboy ref colours looking flat.... I went through a period of swapping and changing from PacificSun Hybrid to the pure LED of my ATI Sirius over my tank. For now l'm sticking with the ATI Sirius, the LED shimmer gives the tank more life, t5 , is as he says , kinda flat, but each to their own.

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't even aware that ATI do a all LED fixture! Problem is I cannot find anyone in Australia that sells them. Will do some investigations

[JohnnyBoyPerth]

Originally Posted by Mark426

Both have equal advantages and disadvantages IMO. If both are correctly setup for your tank, I bet your corals wont look or grow any different. Its really just a matter of your preference and budgeting.

Mark

p.s. At the end of 5 years I dont think there is any difference in the total costs of either fixture including the electrical costs.

Just did a cost break down on a few different option.

Based on the following
10% moonlight/sunrise power for 6hrs
80% LED power for 8 hrs
100% T5 power for 8 hrs
T5 replacement every 2 years (4 gloves per fixture per year)
Power at $0.24/kW
Also as I already own a 3foot light I have allowed for this

5 foot ATi hybrid
5 foot purchase $2,900
Power $3,162
T5 tubes $1,300
Total = $7,362 for 5 years

3 foot ATi hybrid + 2 foot ATi hybrid
2 foot purchase $1,350
Power $2,455
T5 tubes $1,780
Total = $5,585 for 5 years

4 x Radion XR30w Pro
4x purchase $850x4
Power $2,085
Total = $5,485for 5 years

If I change to replacing T5 tubes every year it goes to

5foot ATi $8,662
3foot + 2 foot ATi $7,721
Radion $5,484 same


So if I maintain my process of only replacing half the globes per year, the cost will be the same as new radions over 5 years. I think the light would likely be better with the ATi's over 4 radions but not 100% sure. However if I get a single large 5foot fixture it will significatly cost more than the radions over the same time period.

Now to check out some other LED lights

[ArmanS]

I tried 5 radions on a previous tank and did not like it to be honest. I've always loved T5 / MH and thought I would try the radions. The radions were the gen 3 pros. The fixtures look great but I could not stand the disco effect and the shadowing. I sold them all and bought a 60" ati hybrid and could not have been happier. On my new build I'll be running two of the 60" hybrids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ReefCowboy]

Ive also ran AI hydras, had three AI26's over a 36" tank. Had great results, but even with "overkill coverage" for that size tank, after added T5 supplementation, corals looked even better. I run now Mh/Led, and think supplementing leds with a proven method is key for long term, although some have proven success with leds alone is possible with great results.