60 gallon cube mixed reef lighting suggestion

[zbryant91]

So for the last 3 years I have been using a 165 galaxy hyrdo black box light from amazon. ~$120

Hoping to purchase in the next month or so. So not a huge rush

I am now looking to upgrade to a better light that can handle a mixed reef. Some sps up towards the top and lps and softies towards the bottom. Currently have 11 frags in the tank and they are happy. I just want to move up to something better. Hopefully <$750 range including mounting/controls. I have an apex neptune classic controller.

Over the past couple weeks I have seen some good things about the Illumagic blaze x-60 and orphek atlantik compact. have also heard good things about radions and hydra's.

Seems I have looked at too many things and just want to get some more opinions on my size tank and try to narrow it down a bit.

Thanks

 

[Katrina71]

Noopsyche!

 

[zbryant91]

I guess another bit of info that would help is I am leaning towards led for the control-ability and lack of maintenance. I considered a t5 hybrid with led but am not sure what

 

[zbryant91]

Noopsyche!

Are you running these? I remember briefly skimming through some threads about these.

Would I need 2?

 

[dantimdad]

I would say you would start with one on a mixed reef.

They are really good lights.

I normally DIY black boxes and have not done this on my 93 cube. I have a K7 on it and want to add another.

 

[zbryant91]

Kind of disappointed that I missed the group buy by a couple of days..

 

[dantimdad]

You can still do it, I believe. @Manose ? Can he still?

 

[zbryant91]

If I can, I would probably go ahead and get 2 with the 20%off with 2 brackets and a controller

 

[mattzang]

i have a 50 cube so similar dimensions and started with 1 ai prime hd and it has been great for LPS/softies. but i recently tried an sps frag and it didn't die so if i want to do more of those, the coverage needs to be better. lots of shading on the frag unless it's under the direct light. i'm leaning towards just getting a 2nd ai prime, but there are some really cool lights out there..

the reefbreeders 24" would probably be a nice fit, that one tempts me. or you could just go with a hydra 26 or even 52

the illumagic are cool too, but a little pricey for me



that guy is rocking the illumagic

 

[zbryant91]

i have a 50 cube so similar dimensions and started with 1 ai prime hd and it has been great for LPS/softies. but i recently tried an sps frag and it didn't die so if i want to do more of those, the coverage needs to be better. lots of shading on the frag unless it's under the direct light. i'm leaning towards just getting a 2nd ai prime, but there are some really cool lights out there..

the reefbreeders 24" would probably be a nice fit, that one tempts me. or you could just go with a hydra 26 or even 52

the illumagic are cool too, but a little pricey for me



that guy is rocking the illumagic

Yep this is the video that got my looking at them. His setup is awesome.

 

[zbryant91]

Time to purchase is getting closer. Still on the fence about what lighting to get. Even thinking about doing a hybrid led/t5 fixture. saw the ones on BRS and they have a bracket for the a360x now... decisions decisions..

If I were to do a t5/led combo, what color t5's do people suggest? For the price of all the equipment to make that work, I may just stick with led. too many options.

 

[dputt88]

 

[zbryant91]

Do you know if this light can be programmed to do moon lighting as well? Not a deal breaker. Just curious.

 

[zbryant91]

Nevermind. Found the description on their website that says it can do all of it. Looks like really good functionality for the price. Also may look at getting one of the rp-m powerheads as well..

 

[zbryant91]

So I ordered and have received the Reefbreeders photon v2+ 24". Opened it up today and tested to make sure everything is there and working and all is good. Initial impressions of the light are very good.

Anyone care to share what settings they are running for a mixed reef? Going to start with the recommended settings from reefbreeders with a max at 30% to acclimate. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions based on personal preference to tweak the colors or any of that fun stuff.

Will post pics on my build thread this weekend after getting everything setup.