40 Breeder SPS tank with 4x T5 needs lighting upgrade. Add LED?

musicsmaker · Feb 28, 2023

I'm looking to upgrade the lighting on my 40 breeder SPS tank. Currently, I have four T5 bulbs supplemented by two 24 watt Current USA LED strips for sunrise, sunset, etc.

I'm thinking of adding two Kessil A160we's and possibly ditching the LED strips. Will they be enough? Could I get away with just one A360x in the middle instead?

Would switching the 24 watt Current USA strip lights out for Reef Brights be a equally good option, or nah?

What would you do? The tank is currently up and running with strictly SPS. I'd like to get better growth and coloration, especially on acro's.

Thanks.

legionofdoon · Feb 28, 2023

Are you sure you need more light? 4 T5s and two currents should be enough. I'm running 3 currents on my 40 and I've turned them down.

legionofdoon · Feb 28, 2023

I'm using the R24s not the strip lights.

musicsmaker · Feb 28, 2023

These strip lights aren't very powerful. Your R24's are Current's entry into the LED pendant game.

Do I need more? I think I do. My SPS is colorful and growing, but not as well as it could be. My yellow-tip acro doesn't have yellow tips, the Leng Sy cap doesn't have much purple in the rim. I feel like I need more power. I also like the shimmer, which my tank doesn't have right now.

rtparty · Feb 28, 2023

Grab an AI Blade Grow and replace the Current strips for now. If you like it enough, grab another and ditch the T5s

Graemesreef · Feb 28, 2023

I kept a single aqua medic 250 at 16 off the surface on our 40b. The only problem was I had to buy a bigger tank lol.

NoohpyT · Feb 28, 2023

rtparty said:
Grab an AI Blade Grow and replace the Current strips for now. If you like it enough, grab another and ditch the T5s

Came here to say this, the AI Blade so far seems to be pretty good

Oregon Grown Reef · Feb 28, 2023

Do you know what your current par levels are? Adding par may not be the solution if your current numbers are sufficient. Color could be improved with more random flow or lowering nutrient levels if too high. Lack of growth could be due to many things. More info is needed before you take the most expensive route.

SamMule · Feb 28, 2023

If I were you, I would just swap out the light strips for something more powerful.
Reefbrite, orphek, and AI make some excellent straps.

Fwiw, I just put together a tank with an Orphek Icon, and no matter what I do, I can't match the spectrum I get with T5's and a reefbrite actinic strip.

T5 and LED is the best of both worlds IMO.

musicsmaker · Mar 1, 2023

SamMule said:
If I were you, I would just swap out the light strips for something more powerful.
Reefbrite, orphek, and AI make some excellent straps.

Fwiw, I just put together a tank with an Orphek Icon, and no matter what I do, I can't match the spectrum I get with T5's and a reefbrite actinic strip.

T5 and LED is the best of both worlds IMO.

I've looked into reef brights, and they're out. If I could program them to do sunset and moonlight, I'd be all about them but they're either on or off which is a dealbreaker.

musicsmaker · Mar 1, 2023

Oregon Grown Reef said:
Do you know what your current par levels are? Adding par may not be the solution if your current numbers are sufficient. Color could be improved with more random flow or lowering nutrient levels if too high. Lack of growth could be due to many things. More info is needed before you take the most expensive route.

I do not know what my par levels are, but I'm sure they are similar to what others are getting from T5's. I have wavemakers alternating the flow, and pushing just hard enough to move the lightest frags around and keep anything from settling on the bare bottom. My nutrients are low. I have to dose phosphate and nitrate to keep from hitting zero, and I dose Reef Energy AB+ twice a day.

Color and growth aren't bad, I just think that some of my acropora might enjoy a little extra par. I would also personally enjoy the shimmer.

StatelineReefer · Mar 1, 2023

Add Blades or Noopsyche K7v3's. Keep the strip leds for visual pop.

BranchingHammer · Mar 2, 2023

Reefbreeders photon V2+ would be a great, powerful option if you're looking to buy a new fixture. I have three and they grow acros well.

musicsmaker · Mar 2, 2023

BranchingHammer said:
Reefbreeders photon V2+ would be a great, powerful option if you're looking to buy a new fixture. I have three and they grow acros well.

One of the reasons I specifically want the Kessils is the fact that they pack the LEDs in tight, which reduces the discoball effect and also gives more shimmer.

rtparty · Mar 2, 2023

musicsmaker said:
One of the reasons I specifically want the Kessils is the fact that they pack the LEDs in tight, which reduces the discoball effect and also gives more shimmer.

It also creates terrible shadowing that is detrimental to the corals. Kessils are best with a fill light added

musicsmaker · Mar 2, 2023

rtparty said:
It also creates terrible shadowing that is detrimental to the corals. Kessils are best with a fill light added

I have the T5's.

SamMule · Mar 2, 2023

musicsmaker said:
I've looked into reef brights, and they're out. If I could program them to do sunset and moonlight, I'd be all about them but they're either on or off which is a dealbreaker.

Did you look into the Bluetooth dimmer they sell? Not sure if it can be programmed for gradual sunrise/sunset. I just have mine on a surge protector with a timer.
The inline dimmer works great for adjusting intensity and is like $20

BranchingHammer · Mar 2, 2023

musicsmaker said:
One of the reasons I specifically want the Kessils is the fact that they pack the LEDs in tight, which reduces the discoball effect and also gives more shimmer.

Mounting the reefbreeders high enough gives you that shimmer without the discoball effect and most importantly high/consistent spread. But if you're not looking to replace your entire fixture, you could look at the Quantareeef LED bars. They seem to be super powerful and have good reviews.

musicsmaker · Mar 2, 2023

SamMule said:
Did you look into the Bluetooth dimmer they sell? Not sure if it can be programmed for gradual sunrise/sunset. I just have mine on a surge protector with a timer.
The inline dimmer works great for adjusting intensity and is like $20

Just now! I didn't know that was a thing. It looks like Reef Brights are back in contention.