Need help with choosing new lights

Callahan88 · 02/20/2014, 05:23 PM

Hello all, I really need advice on what lights to get for my 135 gallon tank. The dimensions are 72L, 24W, 24 deep. I just need help..

Callahan88 · 02/20/2014, 05:24 PM

These are some of the lights I'm thinking about getting. Prolly need 4 uploadfromtaptalk1392938663144.jpg

Freemason1970 · 02/20/2014, 05:36 PM

I just upgraded from Current Orbit Marine LED'S to Echotech Radions Gen 2 and what a fantastic change. They are a little bit more expensive but I think they are worth it.

Callahan88 · 02/20/2014, 05:59 PM

I don't think I can afford how many I need of those

Callahan88 · 02/20/2014, 08:29 PM

Any input on the specs I posted

Dmorty217 · 02/20/2014, 09:29 PM

You could get away with 3 lights hung the length of the tank or 4 if you hang them the width. I have Radions and really like them and also have Rapidleds onyx fixture which I also really like, plus they are about half price comparably and grow everything

Dmorty217 · 02/20/2014, 09:33 PM

The lights you sighted in the pic you attached sound like Chinese LEDs which are bridgelux LEDs not Cree and where it says a 3 watt chip but turned down to 2 watts is not what you want to read. Those lights will grow some corals but longevity and getting what you pay for will really factor into the lights about a yr and a half down the road

EricBuzz · 02/20/2014, 10:00 PM

Ecotechs and I love them...

klwheat · 02/21/2014, 09:53 AM

With a 24" deep tank, you could use radions with their 120degree lense and get away with 2 or 3 for sure. Probably just 2 as long as you adjust your coral placement accordingly.

dwolson2 · 02/21/2014, 10:02 AM

Careful placement of coral and rock and you could get away with 2 radions for the time being. And you can find some used g1 radions for a descent price.

CoralReeForrest · 02/21/2014, 05:21 PM

Oceanrevive is having a twofer deal for a crazy good price! You could get 2 and the get a third one for the cheap sale price!

http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=18

Spork3245 · 02/21/2014, 05:35 PM

I would go with reef breeder photons or two Lumentek Pro 240s...

maddmaxx · 02/21/2014, 05:50 PM

i vote 2x reef breeders photon 32s....

EllisJuan · 02/23/2014, 02:19 AM

After a lot of reading, discussion, and thought I just ordered a Lumentek Pro 240 my 36" long 65g. If I was in your shoes I would put two of them over your 135g.

http://reefradiance.com/lumentek-pro-240.html

Cloudburst2000 · 02/23/2014, 05:26 AM

Well, it depends on what you are planning to keep in the tank. Do you want fish only? Do you want corals? If so, what kind? Softies can be kept with most lights...no need to go expensive. LPS will need more light then softies but usually not as much as SPS. Do you plan on keeping an anemone? If so, you will need good lights with a strong output. Give us an idea of where you want to head with this tank. We can't give proper advice without knowing what it is that you want. Also, what is your price range? That is a big issue. People keep posting lights without knowing what you have to spend on lights. Give us more information please!

Reel North · 02/23/2014, 07:53 AM

I use the Ecotech Radion Gen II on my 6 ft 150 g tank.

I have them hung 8" over the water and use the wide angle lenses. They hit the outsides on the tank and the only dark spot is about 8" deep in the middle. There is a centre brace there. Now here is the good part. Once you get more than 8" deep in the tank, the lights cross, which fully illuminates the rock work.

Essentially, you can use 2 radions with wide angle lenses with a 6 ft tank, but be aware of a small dark area at the top. You can only see it when a fish goes through it.

dkeller_nc · 02/23/2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudburst2000

Well, it depends on what you are planning to keep in the tank.

+1 to this. A tank with mushrooms and zoas will have vastly different light requirements from a tank intended to keep acropora and montipora.

This is a generalization, but the least expensive lights from an initial purchase price perspective for a high-intensity lighting setup are metal halides. T5HO fixtures (8-10 bulbs) are a bit more expensive, and high-quality LED fixtures are the most expensive. LEDs, in theory, are the cheapest to run because they don't require bulb replacements and have lower power consumption for the amount of light they put out.

That said, MH fixtures really aren't all that pricey to run in most areas of the country so long as they're hung over an open-top tank (i.e., no hood) so that one doesn't have to run a chiller to keep the tank temp reasonable.

02/20/2014, 05:23 PM	#1
Callahan88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 69	Need help with choosing new lights Hello all, I really need advice on what lights to get for my 135 gallon tank. The dimensions are 72L, 24W, 24 deep. I just need help..

02/20/2014, 09:29 PM	#6
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	You could get away with 3 lights hung the length of the tank or 4 if you hang them the width. I have Radions and really like them and also have Rapidleds onyx fixture which I also really like, plus they are about half price comparably and grow everything __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/20/2014, 09:33 PM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	The lights you sighted in the pic you attached sound like Chinese LEDs which are bridgelux LEDs not Cree and where it says a 3 watt chip but turned down to 2 watts is not what you want to read. Those lights will grow some corals but longevity and getting what you pay for will really factor into the lights about a yr and a half down the road __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/21/2014, 09:53 AM	#9
klwheat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 676	With a 24" deep tank, you could use radions with their 120degree lense and get away with 2 or 3 for sure. Probably just 2 as long as you adjust your coral placement accordingly. __________________ 180 Gallon Mixed reef President/Co-founder Running4Trisomy A Butterfly's Touch

02/21/2014, 10:02 AM	#10
dwolson2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rockledge Fl Posts: 1,348	Careful placement of coral and rock and you could get away with 2 radions for the time being. And you can find some used g1 radions for a descent price. __________________ 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

02/20/2014, 05:24 PM	#2
Callahan88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 69	These are some of the lights I'm thinking about getting. Prolly need 4 uploadfromtaptalk1392938663144.jpg

02/20/2014, 05:36 PM	#3
Freemason1970 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 48	I just upgraded from Current Orbit Marine LED'S to Echotech Radions Gen 2 and what a fantastic change. They are a little bit more expensive but I think they are worth it.

02/20/2014, 05:59 PM	#4
Callahan88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 69	I don't think I can afford how many I need of those

02/20/2014, 08:29 PM	#5
Callahan88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 69	Any input on the specs I posted

02/20/2014, 10:00 PM	#8
EricBuzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saddle Brook, NJ Posts: 53	Ecotechs and I love them...

02/21/2014, 05:21 PM	#11
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Oceanrevive is having a twofer deal for a crazy good price! You could get 2 and the get a third one for the cheap sale price! http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=18

02/21/2014, 05:35 PM	#12
Spork3245 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Central New Jersey Posts: 1,088	I would go with reef breeder photons or two Lumentek Pro 240s...

02/21/2014, 05:50 PM	#13
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	i vote 2x reef breeders photon 32s.... __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

02/23/2014, 02:19 AM	#14
EllisJuan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 1,366	After a lot of reading, discussion, and thought I just ordered a Lumentek Pro 240 my 36" long 65g. If I was in your shoes I would put two of them over your 135g. http://reefradiance.com/lumentek-pro-240.html

02/23/2014, 05:26 AM	#15
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	Well, it depends on what you are planning to keep in the tank. Do you want fish only? Do you want corals? If so, what kind? Softies can be kept with most lights...no need to go expensive. LPS will need more light then softies but usually not as much as SPS. Do you plan on keeping an anemone? If so, you will need good lights with a strong output. Give us an idea of where you want to head with this tank. We can't give proper advice without knowing what it is that you want. Also, what is your price range? That is a big issue. People keep posting lights without knowing what you have to spend on lights. Give us more information please!

02/23/2014, 07:53 AM	#16
Reel North New King of Quarantine Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hammertown, Canada eh Posts: 1,175	I use the Ecotech Radion Gen II on my 6 ft 150 g tank. I have them hung 8" over the water and use the wide angle lenses. They hit the outsides on the tank and the only dark spot is about 8" deep in the middle. There is a centre brace there. Now here is the good part. Once you get more than 8" deep in the tank, the lights cross, which fully illuminates the rock work. Essentially, you can use 2 radions with wide angle lenses with a 6 ft tank, but be aware of a small dark area at the top. You can only see it when a fish goes through it.