AI or Ecotech LEDs?

scrappinangler · Sep 3, 2014

I am changing out my lighting on my year old 75g reef tank from Ecoxotic Marine LEDs. I want to add more SPS to my tank. I currently have softies, LPS, some plating monti's, some birdnest sps, and some stlyophora that have done well. I am considering AI or Ecotech LEDs. Recommendations and quantity needed for a 48" - 75g tank please.

mfinn · Sep 3, 2014

For a 48" long tank you would need 2 Radions.
I'm very happy with mine. I have 3 gen 1's over my 233. I've had them for about a year and a half.
I also have a single gen 1 which I had for about 2 years before doing the gen 3 upgrade, over my 50.

scrappinangler · Sep 3, 2014

Thanks. Do you have them tank mounted, hanging or rail mounted in your canopy?

mfinn · Sep 3, 2014

I made a single mount out of 2" x 3/8" and 1" x 1/8" aluminum bar and had it powder coated for my 50.
I made a long rack out of a product called eztube to support the 3 over my 233.
It's 1" square black aluminum tube with heavy duty plastic connectors.

scrappinangler · Sep 3, 2014

Nice 233 build! Thanks for the help!

mfinn · Sep 3, 2014

scrappinangler said:
Nice 233 build! Thanks for the help!

Thanks.
The pictures of how I mounted my Radions are in my build threads. The 3 Radions are on page 2 of the 240 build thread and page 2 of the 50 build thread.

scrappinangler · Sep 3, 2014

Those rails are cool. I am not much of a DIYer and my hubby doesn't have the necessary tools for most of it anyway. I am leaning towards either the tank mounted arms or installing the rails in my canopy. I have wrasses otherwise I would get rid of my canopy.

mfinn · Sep 3, 2014

scrappinangler said:
Those rails are cool. I am not much of a DIYer and my hubby doesn't have the necessary tools for most of it anyway. I am leaning towards either the tank mounted arms or installing the rails in my canopy. I have wrasses otherwise I would get rid of my canopy.

The new Ecotech mounts look really slick.
I wish they made them for euro braced tanks

h2pvnus · Sep 3, 2014

Go with radion. Pricey but better than Hydra 52 in control, and features. I regret buying the H52

Jimbo662 · Sep 4, 2014

I've got two kessil A360EW's on my 75g tank. The goose neck brackets work on eurobraces and the lights are doing a great job at growing all my corals. I just posted some updated pics on my build thread. They're easy to control with the apex...you just set the intensity and color...no trying to dial in the correct color combination like with the other two. I had Vega's on my last tank but just couldn't get them set properly.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/142147-75-gal-rimless-planet-aquarium-build.html

Waarrpped · Sep 4, 2014

If you need aluminum tube. My family owns a business and we carry extruded aluminum in a dark bronze (basically black) or clear. I can always cut a piece and ship it to you for a hanging kit it's very durable! Feel free to contact me via pm for pricing and information on it.

scrappinangler · Sep 5, 2014

Can I get away with the 2- XR15W's or should I definitely go for the 30's?

J Rog · Sep 5, 2014

I have 2 30's over my 120 4foot long

scrappinangler · Sep 5, 2014

Jimbo662 said:
I've got two kessil A360EW's on my 75g tank. The goose neck brackets work on eurobraces and the lights are doing a great job at growing all my corals. I just posted some updated pics on my build thread. They're easy to control with the apex...you just set the intensity and color...no trying to dial in the correct color combination like with the other two. I had Vega's on my last tank but just couldn't get them set properly.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/142147-75-gal-rimless-planet-aquarium-build.html

Gorgeous setup! Wow - did not really consider Kessil's but def on the radar now! I watched the BRS video about them and they showed an application where they are installed in a shorter canopy. I have that problem now. Was planning on upgrading my 8" canopy to a 15" tall one (long story short before someone blasts me for having a short canopy - got talked into it by a now-defunct LFS a year ago before I knew the importance of having a tall hood) to accommodate new LED's, but I might actually be able to achieve my goal with these. Going to further investigate! Thanks for your input.