Lighting Help for 36x36x24 LPS Rimless (led or T5)

Red_Ant · 09/05/2012, 02:33 PM

I'm setting up a new 36x36x24 rimless tank and I can't make up my mind on what I want to use for my lighting. It will be a LPS dominated tank eventually (I say eventually because I'm a newbie). If I eventually do SPS or Clams it will be at the top of the tank. The tank will be mostly acans and chalice with a "U" lagoon aquascape.

I'm leaning towards either T5 or LEDs but I'm unsure on how much light or which fixture I will need since I won't be keeping SPS. I like that I can tinker with the LEDs (dusk/dawn), but not that big of deal since my tank is near a window.

Led wise I was looking at the new Razor or Vega, but I may need two because of my tank width with the Vega but I think that may be over kill. No idea on T5 fixtures.

Help please.

bnumair · 09/05/2012, 04:47 PM

led's are costly and u probably are going to need 2 units of AI SOL or Radions or even the generic brand now available in market. cost wise $800 for 2x AI ,2x radion $1400, generics about $400.
if you can afford leds go for them but if u have to watch ur pocket then a good 6 or 8 bulb fixture will serve the purpose.

Red_Ant · 09/05/2012, 05:00 PM

Good point. I can afford led, but I guess the question I should ask myself is if that money is better spent elsewhere or if I gain anything with the led over the T5s.

What are the good T5 fixtures? Would I still need two AIs if I did a softy tank first then add a second Vega as my coral collection grow and I get more LPS?

bnumair · 09/05/2012, 05:48 PM

problem with led's is spread of light. AI vegs is suppose to have 80 degree lens and even with 10-12" above the water line u wont have enough spread to cover the whole tank (my opinion) softies or sps its more spread issue than intensity as LED is more spot beam then regular light spread. But on the good note with 2 units of Vega you will be able to control the color and intensity and grow anything u want.
A good T5 unit with 6 to 8 bulbs will do the job as well and will grow anything.
I am not sure on which brand is good as i have never bought straight T5 units, i always (before LED) used Hamilton MH + T5 mix setup. maybe some one else with more experience with T5 can chime in.

Red_Ant · 09/05/2012, 07:12 PM

Ok, so I need to worry about the spread more than anything given my 36" width. I definitely love my cube, but it definitely offers some unique challenges. So I guess it really comes down to a cost analysis. The cost of a 6 or 8 bulb T5 unit plus the bulb replacement cost against cost of 2 AI Vegas or 2 160 razors. Can't really go by electricity saving because two led unit will be the same or more electricity then the T5 unit. Thank you so much for your help!

Anyone else with some input on the T5 or LED options for my 36x36x24 tank?

Agu · 09/05/2012, 07:35 PM

I recently put a Kessil 350w on my 24X24X12 tank. It's about 14" above the water and turned down to about 40% of what it's capable of putting out. I picked it because with a square tank it's hard to get even coverage. I also liked that I could adjust the color and intensity.

I suspect it would work on your tank for all but the most demanding corals

Red_Ant · 09/05/2012, 07:56 PM

I didn't even think about the Kessil 350W, good idea as another option. Would it cover a 36" cube as well as a 24" cube or would I need two?

gregphoenix · 09/05/2012, 10:19 PM

Red Ant, I am currently planning on using 2 kessil 350W on my 48-30-20 rimless. With a width of 36" I would probably buy 1 first ($400.00), and see how it works. Do you want your entire tank lit or do you like low light on the edges? I think the look of a rimless tank with pendent lighting is extremely attractive!

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 10:46 AM

I would like the tank to "look" bright and well lite, but I'm fine with having low par levels at the edges/corners. I'm fine with keeping my corals either on the rock work or in the center of the lagoon in the center of the tank. So it's may be more about, what would make my tank "look" well lite vs what it will support in the tank because I could always play with coral placement to match the light. It will probably be a 1 or 2 years before I have a closer to fully stocked tank anyways.

So I wonder if one Led would work for now to make it look well lite and I can start slow adding corals and maybe add a second light and coral later as I stock up or would a T5 be better?

WillM · 09/06/2012, 01:34 PM

I prefer LED to T5. I just don't like having to replace the T5s every 6 months. There are some cheaper options than AI and Radions out there. Plus there's always DIY if you are really feeling froggy. My vote is for LEDs.

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 01:57 PM

Thanks everyone. It sounds like Led it is. Does anyone know if Kessil is making a programmable version? Now I guess I need a thread on which Led to choose.

lwillis22 · 09/06/2012, 07:10 PM

I have just purchased Aqua UFO's from sunshine systems. They are amazing lights, very happy with them so far. They are 90 watt LED's and are comparable to 500 watt MH without the high electric bill. The units are inexpensive too about $275 per light.

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 07:13 PM

What is the spread on them?

aandfsoccr04 · 09/06/2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agu

I recently put a Kessil 350w on my 24X24X12 tank. It's about 14" above the water and turned down to about 40% of what it's capable of putting out. I picked it because with a square tank it's hard to get even coverage. I also liked that I could adjust the color and intensity.

I suspect it would work on your tank for all but the most demanding corals

How do you like it so far? I'm thinking about going with that light for a frag tank.

Agu · 09/06/2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Ant

I didn't even think about the Kessil 350W, good idea as another option. Would it cover a 36" cube as well as a 24" cube or would I need two?

Depends on your corals, I'm running it at less than 50% power on an LPS tank. Although I plan to ramp it up I doubt I'll be able to run the light at 100% without burning my corals.

BTW, My tank is a half cube 24X24X12 ........

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 07:45 PM

Makes sense. Does it make a difference not being able to program it for dusk/dawn, moon cycle, etc? I'm wondering if the programming of the other lights in my application may be overrated since my tank is in my two story foyer that has a huge window in front and behind it anyways. I could always add the Apex lunar module to take care of the moon lights.

zoafarm · 09/06/2012, 07:58 PM

So, I started with T5s and had good results. About a year ago I built a LED light for my 48"x18"x22". It has 48 LEDs (36 royal blue, 12 cool white) with no lenses (125 degree spread). They run at about 40% to 50% of full power. I have SPS, LPS, and zoa/palys in the tank, and all of them do pretty good under the new light. The SPS and LPS do the best, but the zoas/palys took a while to adjust. But here a picture to see the look.

Happy Reefing

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 08:12 PM

Awesome tank. Where did you get your DIY parts? I've been tempted to do DIY, but I'm leaning towards the clean look of ready made.

zoafarm · 09/06/2012, 08:21 PM

All of the LED parts were obtained from Rapidled.com . The heatsink I had made at a local welding shop. I think I would lean towards the clean look with a rimless tank. Just wanted to give you an idea of the light look...wish I had a picture with the old T5s for comparison. LEDs are much brighter with less heat.

Red_Ant · 09/06/2012, 08:59 PM

Yeah, I like the clean look. Kessils and the Razor looks great, but the Vega look promising and the Radion gets great reviews.

Red_Ant · 09/14/2012, 11:17 AM

I'm going with the 160 Razor to start and will get a second one if it doesn't provide enough light.

thegrun · 09/14/2012, 11:35 AM

Here is my AI SOL Blue mounted over my rimless 50 cube:

I would go with the Vegas over the SOL Blues. I recently added a couple of UV, Red and Green LEDs to the SOL Blue and I like the color rendition better. The Vegas have those colors already in the fixture. You would need at least two Vega fixtures to cover your tank, I have my SOL Blue mounted 13" above the waterline (24" x 24" footprint), a single fixture would need to be much higher to cover a 36" wide tank.

Red_Ant · 09/14/2012, 06:40 PM

I thought about the vegas but just not enough information yet. Love the stand btw.

Red_Ant · 10/26/2012, 01:59 PM

I hate to revive this thread, but I'm back on the fence again. I ordered the 160 Razor but it is on back order. I just found a deal on a Current USA Nova Extreme Pro brand new for around $250 new. Pretty good deal for a 6 bulb T5. Compared to almost $500 for the Razor (may end up needing 2 Razors since my tank is 36x36). Thoughts? Should I stick with the Razor or just go with the T5? What's easier for a beginner?

BigAl2007 · 10/26/2012, 02:13 PM

Have you looked into the GHL Mitras LED? TONS of coverage and it's outperforming the factory specs across the board.

09/05/2012, 02:33 PM	#1
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Lighting Help for 36x36x24 LPS Rimless (led or T5) I'm setting up a new 36x36x24 rimless tank and I can't make up my mind on what I want to use for my lighting. It will be a LPS dominated tank eventually (I say eventually because I'm a newbie). If I eventually do SPS or Clams it will be at the top of the tank. The tank will be mostly acans and chalice with a "U" lagoon aquascape. I'm leaning towards either T5 or LEDs but I'm unsure on how much light or which fixture I will need since I won't be keeping SPS. I like that I can tinker with the LEDs (dusk/dawn), but not that big of deal since my tank is near a window. Led wise I was looking at the new Razor or Vega, but I may need two because of my tank width with the Vega but I think that may be over kill. No idea on T5 fixtures. Help please.

09/05/2012, 04:47 PM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	led's are costly and u probably are going to need 2 units of AI SOL or Radions or even the generic brand now available in market. cost wise $800 for 2x AI ,2x radion $1400, generics about $400. if you can afford leds go for them but if u have to watch ur pocket then a good 6 or 8 bulb fixture will serve the purpose. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

09/05/2012, 05:48 PM	#4
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	problem with led's is spread of light. AI vegs is suppose to have 80 degree lens and even with 10-12" above the water line u wont have enough spread to cover the whole tank (my opinion) softies or sps its more spread issue than intensity as LED is more spot beam then regular light spread. But on the good note with 2 units of Vega you will be able to control the color and intensity and grow anything u want. A good T5 unit with 6 to 8 bulbs will do the job as well and will grow anything. I am not sure on which brand is good as i have never bought straight T5 units, i always (before LED) used Hamilton MH + T5 mix setup. maybe some one else with more experience with T5 can chime in. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

09/05/2012, 07:35 PM	#6
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I recently put a Kessil 350w on my 24X24X12 tank. It's about 14" above the water and turned down to about 40% of what it's capable of putting out. I picked it because with a square tank it's hard to get even coverage. I also liked that I could adjust the color and intensity. I suspect it would work on your tank for all but the most demanding corals __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

09/05/2012, 05:00 PM	#3
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Good point. I can afford led, but I guess the question I should ask myself is if that money is better spent elsewhere or if I gain anything with the led over the T5s. What are the good T5 fixtures? Would I still need two AIs if I did a softy tank first then add a second Vega as my coral collection grow and I get more LPS?

09/05/2012, 07:12 PM	#5
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Ok, so I need to worry about the spread more than anything given my 36" width. I definitely love my cube, but it definitely offers some unique challenges. So I guess it really comes down to a cost analysis. The cost of a 6 or 8 bulb T5 unit plus the bulb replacement cost against cost of 2 AI Vegas or 2 160 razors. Can't really go by electricity saving because two led unit will be the same or more electricity then the T5 unit. Thank you so much for your help! Anyone else with some input on the T5 or LED options for my 36x36x24 tank?

09/05/2012, 07:56 PM	#7
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	I didn't even think about the Kessil 350W, good idea as another option. Would it cover a 36" cube as well as a 24" cube or would I need two?

09/05/2012, 10:19 PM	#8
gregphoenix Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: phoenix, AZ Posts: 28	Red Ant, I am currently planning on using 2 kessil 350W on my 48-30-20 rimless. With a width of 36" I would probably buy 1 first ($400.00), and see how it works. Do you want your entire tank lit or do you like low light on the edges? I think the look of a rimless tank with pendent lighting is extremely attractive!

09/06/2012, 10:46 AM	#9
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	I would like the tank to "look" bright and well lite, but I'm fine with having low par levels at the edges/corners. I'm fine with keeping my corals either on the rock work or in the center of the lagoon in the center of the tank. So it's may be more about, what would make my tank "look" well lite vs what it will support in the tank because I could always play with coral placement to match the light. It will probably be a 1 or 2 years before I have a closer to fully stocked tank anyways. So I wonder if one Led would work for now to make it look well lite and I can start slow adding corals and maybe add a second light and coral later as I stock up or would a T5 be better?

09/06/2012, 01:34 PM	#10
WillM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 663	I prefer LED to T5. I just don't like having to replace the T5s every 6 months. There are some cheaper options than AI and Radions out there. Plus there's always DIY if you are really feeling froggy. My vote is for LEDs.

09/06/2012, 01:57 PM	#11
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Thanks everyone. It sounds like Led it is. Does anyone know if Kessil is making a programmable version? Now I guess I need a thread on which Led to choose.

09/06/2012, 07:10 PM	#12
lwillis22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 303	I have just purchased Aqua UFO's from sunshine systems. They are amazing lights, very happy with them so far. They are 90 watt LED's and are comparable to 500 watt MH without the high electric bill. The units are inexpensive too about $275 per light.

09/06/2012, 07:13 PM	#13
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	What is the spread on them?

09/06/2012, 07:45 PM	#16
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Makes sense. Does it make a difference not being able to program it for dusk/dawn, moon cycle, etc? I'm wondering if the programming of the other lights in my application may be overrated since my tank is in my two story foyer that has a huge window in front and behind it anyways. I could always add the Apex lunar module to take care of the moon lights.

09/06/2012, 07:58 PM	#17
zoafarm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 306	So, I started with T5s and had good results. About a year ago I built a LED light for my 48"x18"x22". It has 48 LEDs (36 royal blue, 12 cool white) with no lenses (125 degree spread). They run at about 40% to 50% of full power. I have SPS, LPS, and zoa/palys in the tank, and all of them do pretty good under the new light. The SPS and LPS do the best, but the zoas/palys took a while to adjust. But here a picture to see the look. Happy Reefing

09/06/2012, 08:12 PM	#18
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Awesome tank. Where did you get your DIY parts? I've been tempted to do DIY, but I'm leaning towards the clean look of ready made.

09/06/2012, 08:21 PM	#19
zoafarm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 306	All of the LED parts were obtained from Rapidled.com . The heatsink I had made at a local welding shop. I think I would lean towards the clean look with a rimless tank. Just wanted to give you an idea of the light look...wish I had a picture with the old T5s for comparison. LEDs are much brighter with less heat.

09/06/2012, 08:59 PM	#20
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	Yeah, I like the clean look. Kessils and the Razor looks great, but the Vega look promising and the Radion gets great reviews.

09/14/2012, 11:17 AM	#21
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	I'm going with the 160 Razor to start and will get a second one if it doesn't provide enough light.

09/14/2012, 11:35 AM	#22
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Here is my AI SOL Blue mounted over my rimless 50 cube: I would go with the Vegas over the SOL Blues. I recently added a couple of UV, Red and Green LEDs to the SOL Blue and I like the color rendition better. The Vegas have those colors already in the fixture. You would need at least two Vega fixtures to cover your tank, I have my SOL Blue mounted 13" above the waterline (24" x 24" footprint), a single fixture would need to be much higher to cover a 36" wide tank.

09/14/2012, 06:40 PM	#23
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	I thought about the vegas but just not enough information yet. Love the stand btw.

10/26/2012, 01:59 PM	#24
Red_Ant Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 231	I hate to revive this thread, but I'm back on the fence again. I ordered the 160 Razor but it is on back order. I just found a deal on a Current USA Nova Extreme Pro brand new for around $250 new. Pretty good deal for a 6 bulb T5. Compared to almost $500 for the Razor (may end up needing 2 Razors since my tank is 36x36). Thoughts? Should I stick with the Razor or just go with the T5? What's easier for a beginner?

10/26/2012, 02:13 PM	#25
BigAl2007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waynesville, NC USA Posts: 1,737	Have you looked into the GHL Mitras LED? TONS of coverage and it's outperforming the factory specs across the board.