Questions about new tank set up

Export Eh · 12/01/2013, 09:41 AM

I've been in the hobby a couple years now and currently run a 70G rectangle. I'm going to be switching over to a 92G corner bow/cylinder tank soon since my current tank is free of fish (livestock is in a healing tank) due to an outbreak of marine velvet.

I have a couple questions so far. First, the tank is 34" on each side, 48" across the front, and 24" tall. I'm thinking about switching to an AI SOL LED and don't know if I will need one or 2 with the oddball size that is. I'm also thinking about picking up a controller at this point and was wondering which system is the better one. The Apex or ReefKeeper for ease of use and plug and play without having to buy expansions.

dwolson2 · 12/01/2013, 09:52 AM

I like my radion's so I would suggest those over the AI sol's. And yes 2 would probably be best. As for controllers, I really like my apex. I'm not sure how the RK's play with the AI/radion's, but the Apex with WXM plays with the radions. I know you were asking for no add on's, but the apex requires them. IDK if the RK is the same way. If you are looking to save some money, you can get an Apex Jr, depending on your end goals, since you can hook up like 12 lights/pumps to one radion. And, you don't need a controllable outlet for anything controled by the WXM.

Export Eh · 12/01/2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwolson2

And yes 2 would probably be best.

Dang. I was hoping that wouldn't be the answer lol. Where can one find the best prices on the LED's? I've been looking on BRS mostly. Everywhere in Canada seems to be a little more expensive

dwolson2 · 12/01/2013, 12:44 PM

All of the US suppliers/retailers(and I assume other countries) must advertise(and sell to my knowledge) the lights at the same price. That is how a lot of the reef equipment is. I usually watch the FS threads here, but you are required to have 50 useful posts to view them.
You can also look into DIY if you are trying to save money(I'm not sure if its an affordiblity thing for you or you just don't want to waste money) I am, like alot of others on a budget, but I have found that for me, I would rather spend a little more to buy good quality stuff that I don't have to fuss with, rather than buying crap. Sometimes you can find sweet deals on good stuff, sometimes cheap stuff works(Jaebo,laguna, and Aquamaxx come to mind) Some people might call me an ecotech fan boy, but ecotech and apex are a great pair.

Alberta-newb · 12/01/2013, 01:38 PM

Have you checked out Modular LED, they are in Red Deer, AB. They carry AI, Radions, Mitras, etc. not sure how prices compare as I haven't bought there yet, but at least no import costs and shipping would be cheap to MB.

Export Eh · 12/08/2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwolson2

All of the US suppliers/retailers(and I assume other countries) must advertise(and sell to my knowledge) the lights at the same price.

I've noticed that the prices between US and Canada seem to be pretty similiar. Canadian prices are about $20-30 more than I can find them in the states. I don't want to do a DIY light setup and I don't mind spending a bit of $ to get some good lights. I was more wondering if there's a store that regularly puts the lights on sale. I did notice that BRS had a 15% off sale for Black Friday but the lights I wanted were all sold out

Export Eh · 12/08/2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta-newb

Have you checked out Modular LED, they are in Red Deer, AB. They carry AI, Radions, Mitras, etc. not sure how prices compare as I haven't bought there yet, but at least no import costs and shipping would be cheap to MB.

They did a price drop on the AI SOL's to be the same as J&L which is $20 more than BRS. Hoping for a good boxing day blowout! lol

12/01/2013, 09:41 AM	#1
Export Eh Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brandon, MB Posts: 52	Questions about new tank set up I've been in the hobby a couple years now and currently run a 70G rectangle. I'm going to be switching over to a 92G corner bow/cylinder tank soon since my current tank is free of fish (livestock is in a healing tank) due to an outbreak of marine velvet. I have a couple questions so far. First, the tank is 34" on each side, 48" across the front, and 24" tall. I'm thinking about switching to an AI SOL LED and don't know if I will need one or 2 with the oddball size that is. I'm also thinking about picking up a controller at this point and was wondering which system is the better one. The Apex or ReefKeeper for ease of use and plug and play without having to buy expansions. __________________ 92G Corner Cylinder reef with 2 AI Hydras

12/01/2013, 09:52 AM	#2
dwolson2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rockledge Fl Posts: 1,348	I like my radion's so I would suggest those over the AI sol's. And yes 2 would probably be best. As for controllers, I really like my apex. I'm not sure how the RK's play with the AI/radion's, but the Apex with WXM plays with the radions. I know you were asking for no add on's, but the apex requires them. IDK if the RK is the same way. If you are looking to save some money, you can get an Apex Jr, depending on your end goals, since you can hook up like 12 lights/pumps to one radion. And, you don't need a controllable outlet for anything controled by the WXM. __________________ 220 w/75 sump. 2 Kessil AP700s, 2- MP60, 2- MP40, 1-MP10(in sump/frag tank), Waveline DC 10000, Reef Octopus elite INT220, Radion G1(over sump/frag tank), Apex Wifi with a few extras Current Tank Info: 220 in progress

12/01/2013, 12:44 PM	#4
dwolson2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rockledge Fl Posts: 1,348	All of the US suppliers/retailers(and I assume other countries) must advertise(and sell to my knowledge) the lights at the same price. That is how a lot of the reef equipment is. I usually watch the FS threads here, but you are required to have 50 useful posts to view them. You can also look into DIY if you are trying to save money(I'm not sure if its an affordiblity thing for you or you just don't want to waste money) I am, like alot of others on a budget, but I have found that for me, I would rather spend a little more to buy good quality stuff that I don't have to fuss with, rather than buying crap. Sometimes you can find sweet deals on good stuff, sometimes cheap stuff works(Jaebo,laguna, and Aquamaxx come to mind) Some people might call me an ecotech fan boy, but ecotech and apex are a great pair. __________________ 220 w/75 sump. 2 Kessil AP700s, 2- MP60, 2- MP40, 1-MP10(in sump/frag tank), Waveline DC 10000, Reef Octopus elite INT220, Radion G1(over sump/frag tank), Apex Wifi with a few extras Current Tank Info: 220 in progress

12/01/2013, 01:38 PM	#5
Alberta-newb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 246	Have you checked out Modular LED, they are in Red Deer, AB. They carry AI, Radions, Mitras, etc. not sure how prices compare as I haven't bought there yet, but at least no import costs and shipping would be cheap to MB.