iwasaki flanked by two ai primes

cleopt · 05/04/2015, 06:14 PM

To anyone here with experience in using LEDs as supplement.

How will a single 250w iwasaki look flanked by ai primes? Will the led blues be noticeable enough or will they get drowned out?

Or will a radium go better with the LEDs?

Jeremy B. · 05/05/2015, 09:54 AM

I'm assuming this is an sps tank and why you're considering the Iwasaki? For pure growth there is no light source out there that will touch an Iwasaki lamp (that includes every type of lighting as well), the 10K XM would be the next closest thing to it. Having said that, it's VERY yellow in appearance, and you need a substantial amount of blue to offset that. IMO going with something such as the ReefBrite XHO's would be better to flank the sides with the Iwasaki than what the Primes would be. If you're wanting a better mix of both coloration and growth I'd just do a Radium and then supplement with whatever you want. You won't need anywhere near as much blue then.

cleopt · 05/05/2015, 10:50 AM

Thanks! that makes sense. Yeah Im going for the Iwasaki because pure sps growth is my priority. Im not bothered by its appearance because it mimics that shallow reef look. I originally thought of the AI Primes because im not using a hood enclosure and don't have much space in the way of supplementation. But I guess they wouldn't have enough punch and will be drowned out.

Im using the Hamilton Cabo Sun Mini and not sure how easy it will be to mount the Reefbrite XHO.
Assuming I opt for no supplementation then I guess eventually the Radium would be my next best option. The tank is a 40 breeder by the way, but shallower. So probably a single 250w Radium powered by HQI or even 400w?!

Jeremy B. · 05/05/2015, 11:10 AM

If power consumption and heat is not an issue then a 400w Radium in that reflector would be a great balance between growth and coloration, but still more towards color than growth. The 250 Iwasaki will offer the best growth versus power consump and heat of any of them, and of course the 400w Iwasaki is just that much better.

I am currently running 2 x 400w lamps on a 16" deep sps setup that is 48" x 24" footprint. The heat isn't as bad as what you would think, but it definitely needs to be dealt with still.

It would take a little creativity to attach the LED's, but it's definitely doable. Not sure how much DIY you want to get into with it though.

05/04/2015, 06:14 PM	#1
cleopt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: California Posts: 6	iwasaki flanked by two ai primes To anyone here with experience in using LEDs as supplement. How will a single 250w iwasaki look flanked by ai primes? Will the led blues be noticeable enough or will they get drowned out? Or will a radium go better with the LEDs?

05/05/2015, 10:50 AM	#3
cleopt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: California Posts: 6	Thanks! that makes sense. Yeah Im going for the Iwasaki because pure sps growth is my priority. Im not bothered by its appearance because it mimics that shallow reef look. I originally thought of the AI Primes because im not using a hood enclosure and don't have much space in the way of supplementation. But I guess they wouldn't have enough punch and will be drowned out. Im using the Hamilton Cabo Sun Mini and not sure how easy it will be to mount the Reefbrite XHO. Assuming I opt for no supplementation then I guess eventually the Radium would be my next best option. The tank is a 40 breeder by the way, but shallower. So probably a single 250w Radium powered by HQI or even 400w?! Last edited by cleopt; 05/05/2015 at 11:06 AM. Reason: to clarify

05/05/2015, 09:54 AM	#2
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	I'm assuming this is an sps tank and why you're considering the Iwasaki? For pure growth there is no light source out there that will touch an Iwasaki lamp (that includes every type of lighting as well), the 10K XM would be the next closest thing to it. Having said that, it's VERY yellow in appearance, and you need a substantial amount of blue to offset that. IMO going with something such as the ReefBrite XHO's would be better to flank the sides with the Iwasaki than what the Primes would be. If you're wanting a better mix of both coloration and growth I'd just do a Radium and then supplement with whatever you want. You won't need anywhere near as much blue then.

05/05/2015, 11:10 AM	#4
Jeremy B. Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN / Muncie, IN Posts: 8,219	If power consumption and heat is not an issue then a 400w Radium in that reflector would be a great balance between growth and coloration, but still more towards color than growth. The 250 Iwasaki will offer the best growth versus power consump and heat of any of them, and of course the 400w Iwasaki is just that much better. I am currently running 2 x 400w lamps on a 16" deep sps setup that is 48" x 24" footprint. The heat isn't as bad as what you would think, but it definitely needs to be dealt with still. It would take a little creativity to attach the LED's, but it's definitely doable. Not sure how much DIY you want to get into with it though.