LED Lighting upgrade for a 150G FOWLR

nigeldcat · 06/23/2013, 11:17 PM

A little more than a year and half ago I upgraded my 90G to a 150G. Both were FOWLR but for the 90 I had 2 150W pendants. When I bought the 150G, I opted to get rid of the MH in favor of 4 Marineland double bright LED's fixtures as was FOWLR and wanted to save electricity bill.

The lights have been fine, but a lot dim for my preference especially after the two MH pendants. The power adapters for them have been miserable and have had to replace everyone of them at least once. Marineland has been great for customer service in terms of replacing them.

The other night one of the adapters blew a filter capacitor and the sound it made was like my tank had cracked. I was still paranoid the next morning and was looking for any signs of a leak until I confirmed it was the power wall wart that "popped". On my last backup power supply, so time to consider new lights.

I am going to install in my canopy. Yep I still use a canopy and prefer how you do not get the distraction of the light source when it is covered up by the canopy.

So for the upgrade I am considering 2 Maxspect 27" 160W 10k's in the canopy. Tis option seems to be my best option of currently available options, as the tank is center braced and even though the canopy is partially open at the top and at the back, the Razors seem to have good heat sinking and the fans look like they will line up with opening in the top of the canopy if they ever do kick in which I doubt as I will probably not run this at 100%. This option looks to be right at $1020

The other option is the new AI Hydras, but at a minimum I would need 3 and preferably 4. The center brace makes placement of three difficult. So for the Hydras am looking at about $1280 (3 units) to $1680 (4 units) when I add a controller. This option, especially with 4 units, seems a bit overkill to me.

The third option is to use 2 Hydras and then supplement with couple of 36" stunner strips to even it out. But again I am looking at around $1040 for this option with a controller.

The Razors again look to be the best option as although I do like the idea of the AI director coming out, I can still program the Razors and have them on my APEX for ON/OFF if needed and keep track of the operating status via APEX current draw as I would expect to see a change in current as the units ramp up and down during the day.

I about got myself convinced the Razors are the way to go, as would allow me to add a few corals if I want to, and seems to be the best bang for the buck for what I want. The only reason I am considering the Hydras is the redundancy of multiple units.

I do not want to go with a Chinese knock off at this time to save a few bucks especially after the reliability issues with my current fixture supplies.

Sound like a plan?

vette.tech · 06/24/2013, 11:46 AM

Personally I think FO tanks look really cool with point source lighting casting large shadows with a ton of shimmer, some kessils would be perfect for that and allow you to grow corals as well. A buddy of mine did some home depot led spotlights and it just looked stunning. That's of course only my opinion and your plans would Look awesome as well, just thought I'd throw that out there

nigeldcat · 06/24/2013, 10:23 PM

Thanks I had not thought about the kessils, but that is almost like the two pendants I used to have. I'll add those to my pro/con spreadsheet.

BigAl2007 · 06/26/2013, 12:53 PM

Have you ever looked into GHL Mitras LED units?

saltymix · 06/26/2013, 03:18 PM

Check out the Orphek Atlantiks, they have the most capability out of all of them.

R.W. · 06/26/2013, 03:30 PM

what about buildmyled.com units?

I am also trying to decide what to change my lights to, I have an 8 bulb t5 unit, but want to go to something less powerful.

nigeldcat · 06/30/2013, 10:42 PM

Looked at the Buildmyleds, but the 1/2" extra for the power cord was a deal breaker for fitting in the canopy. Four 36" inch units would have been preferred but would have to offset them to fit, but these are really 36.5" long. Like the redundancy of 4 units though.

nigeldcat · 07/06/2013, 06:41 PM

Finally decided on the Maxspects. They arrived and fit nicely in the canopy. Slowly ramping up the intensity and adjusting programs so lights are on when I am home in the evenings. Thanks for the inputs.

moondoggy4 · 07/07/2013, 11:50 AM

What did you get? two razor?

06/23/2013, 11:17 PM	#1
nigeldcat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 73	LED Lighting upgrade for a 150G FOWLR A little more than a year and half ago I upgraded my 90G to a 150G. Both were FOWLR but for the 90 I had 2 150W pendants. When I bought the 150G, I opted to get rid of the MH in favor of 4 Marineland double bright LED's fixtures as was FOWLR and wanted to save electricity bill. The lights have been fine, but a lot dim for my preference especially after the two MH pendants. The power adapters for them have been miserable and have had to replace everyone of them at least once. Marineland has been great for customer service in terms of replacing them. The other night one of the adapters blew a filter capacitor and the sound it made was like my tank had cracked. I was still paranoid the next morning and was looking for any signs of a leak until I confirmed it was the power wall wart that "popped". On my last backup power supply, so time to consider new lights. I am going to install in my canopy. Yep I still use a canopy and prefer how you do not get the distraction of the light source when it is covered up by the canopy. So for the upgrade I am considering 2 Maxspect 27" 160W 10k's in the canopy. Tis option seems to be my best option of currently available options, as the tank is center braced and even though the canopy is partially open at the top and at the back, the Razors seem to have good heat sinking and the fans look like they will line up with opening in the top of the canopy if they ever do kick in which I doubt as I will probably not run this at 100%. This option looks to be right at $1020 The other option is the new AI Hydras, but at a minimum I would need 3 and preferably 4. The center brace makes placement of three difficult. So for the Hydras am looking at about $1280 (3 units) to $1680 (4 units) when I add a controller. This option, especially with 4 units, seems a bit overkill to me. The third option is to use 2 Hydras and then supplement with couple of 36" stunner strips to even it out. But again I am looking at around $1040 for this option with a controller. The Razors again look to be the best option as although I do like the idea of the AI director coming out, I can still program the Razors and have them on my APEX for ON/OFF if needed and keep track of the operating status via APEX current draw as I would expect to see a change in current as the units ramp up and down during the day. I about got myself convinced the Razors are the way to go, as would allow me to add a few corals if I want to, and seems to be the best bang for the buck for what I want. The only reason I am considering the Hydras is the redundancy of multiple units. I do not want to go with a Chinese knock off at this time to save a few bucks especially after the reliability issues with my current fixture supplies. Sound like a plan?

06/26/2013, 03:30 PM	#6
R.W. Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 890	what about buildmyled.com units? I am also trying to decide what to change my lights to, I have an 8 bulb t5 unit, but want to go to something less powerful. __________________ 180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors."

06/24/2013, 11:46 AM	#2
vette.tech Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 367	Personally I think FO tanks look really cool with point source lighting casting large shadows with a ton of shimmer, some kessils would be perfect for that and allow you to grow corals as well. A buddy of mine did some home depot led spotlights and it just looked stunning. That's of course only my opinion and your plans would Look awesome as well, just thought I'd throw that out there

06/24/2013, 10:23 PM	#3
nigeldcat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 73	Thanks I had not thought about the kessils, but that is almost like the two pendants I used to have. I'll add those to my pro/con spreadsheet.

06/26/2013, 12:53 PM	#4
BigAl2007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waynesville, NC USA Posts: 1,737	Have you ever looked into GHL Mitras LED units?

06/26/2013, 03:18 PM	#5
saltymix Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 67	Check out the Orphek Atlantiks, they have the most capability out of all of them.

06/30/2013, 10:42 PM	#7
nigeldcat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 73	Looked at the Buildmyleds, but the 1/2" extra for the power cord was a deal breaker for fitting in the canopy. Four 36" inch units would have been preferred but would have to offset them to fit, but these are really 36.5" long. Like the redundancy of 4 units though.

07/06/2013, 06:41 PM	#8
nigeldcat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 73	Finally decided on the Maxspects. They arrived and fit nicely in the canopy. Slowly ramping up the intensity and adjusting programs so lights are on when I am home in the evenings. Thanks for the inputs.

07/07/2013, 11:50 AM	#9
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	What did you get? two razor?