Debating a new light fixture......

[ReeferMaddness843]

So I have a 90 gallon tank with a temporary hood (which I feel has become more permanent yet I despise it lol). It houses 2 X kessil a160we and 4 ati bulbs on Home Depot fixtures ( no reflector, don't judge me) Well, I'm trying to decide a new fixture as I want something cleaner and without the hood the t5 spills everywhere and the kessils alone don't cut it alone in my eyes. So, looking for advice and suggestion. I have been thinking of doing an ati sunpower dimmable 6 bulb t5. Also thought of dual SB or a photon v2. Anyone with pics or suggestions of other options worthwhile? I'd say my $ cap would be about 800 (a bit flexible for the right item) and plan to do around end of the year. Thanks in advance.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I will add it is an acrylic tank with eurobrace. Not sure if that matters for light penetration. (Current pic of what I have going on)

 

[Harambe]

I have the 16" sb reef box over my 40 breeder and love it! The lights look amazing and run quieter than my kessils did. Im also setting up a 90 gallon and i ordered the 32 inch sb for it.

 

[Bpb]

I'd actually keep the Kessil stuff and get a pair of the giesemann retrofit t5ho units that way you can get good par and coverage out of them. Otherwise I'm a big fan of the ati sunpowers. I use the 8x54 watt one on my 90 gallon and absolutely love it. I've found that even hung 12" over the water, and my corals not reaching more than 1/2 way up the height of the tank, everything has done MUCH better only running the 2 bulb channel for dawn dusk, and the 6 bulb channel as the daylight, never running all 8. I did all 8 for a while but it was just a bit too much

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

That was my concern. Was gonna do the 8, but thought 8 was too much. That may be an option for upgrade later (which is inevitable in this hobby). Didn't think about using 2, then switching to 6. Great idea! Any pics?

I'd actually keep the Kessil stuff and get a pair of the giesemann retrofit t5ho units that way you can get good par and coverage out of them. Otherwise I'm a big fan of the ati sunpowers. I use the 8x54 watt one on my 90 gallon and absolutely love it. I've found that even hung 12" over the water, and my corals not reaching more than 1/2 way up the height of the tank, everything has done MUCH better only running the 2 bulb channel for dawn dusk, and the 6 bulb channel as the daylight, never running all 8. I did all 8 for a while but it was just a bit too much

 

[Highgrade]

Go with an ATI power module and keep the kessils. 36 in 39w 6 or 8 bulb even the 48in 54w 6 bulb. The 48in 6 bulb with 2 A160we is what I run on my 120gal 48x24x24 SPS tank. Easy to mount the Kessils and adds a nice shimmer that you won't get with the T5 alone. BRS is having their 10x member rewards on Oct 8th. Sign up and get 10% back towards a future purchase. ATI unit with bulbs would be in the ballpark of $400-600 with bulbs if you went with the dimmable option it would be around another $100.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I like that! I may do so, but I'm thinking of moving the kessils to my 20Long. I'm going with 48" if opt for ati.

Go with an ATI power module and keep the kessils. 36 in 39w 6 or 8 bulb even the 48in 54w 6 bulb. The 48in 6 bulb with 2 A160we is what I run on my 120gal 48x24x24 SPS tank. Easy to mount the Kessils and adds a nice shimmer that you won't get with the T5 alone. BRS is having their 10x member rewards on Oct 8th. Sign up and get 10% back towards a future purchase.

 

[spartanman22]

I've got 3 OR-T247's over my 80 gallon. Pretty happy with the results. I get good growth and great color. Plan to add the bluefish mini's to make them Wifi controllable.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Beautiful tank! Going to research those lights too now.

 

[FarmerTy]

Big fan of my Ocean Revive units too. I supplemented with T5s.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

How many would you suggest on a 48x18x24?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I like the t5 add ons, but trying to eliminate hood altogether

 

[FarmerTy]

How many would you suggest on a 48x18x24?

Two would be fine sideways.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Big fan of my Ocean Revive units too. I supplemented with T5s.

Gorgeous tank!!

 

[spartanman22]

I started with two on my 48*24*18 and ended up adding a third. It just seemed a bit dim on the sides plus I wanted to grow SPS everywhere.

 

[FarmerTy]

Yeah, for 24" deep tank, I'd go with 3 and place them front to back instead of sideways. With his 18" depth, I was leaning towards just two but sideways. You can never go wrong with another light though.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Was thinking that as well. Saw the dimensions were shallower. And for the price point of what anticipated already plus bulbs, still come out cheaper with 3. Researching them last couple days.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

How is their customer service dept?

 

[FarmerTy]

How is their customer service dept?

Only ever needed replacement fans from them so I order them when needed. It is not going to be like ordering from a larger manufacturer though. You deal with about 2 people in that department with Ocean Revive but they have been responsive when needed.

 

[spartanman22]

Only ever needed replacement fans from them so I order them when needed. It is not going to be like ordering from a larger manufacturer though. You deal with about 2 people in that department with Ocean Revive but they have been responsive when needed.

I've also never personally dealt with them either. But from what I've heard they've been pretty good to work with. There's someone local to me that has a killer SPS tank with 5 of these, and he dealt with them ordering new LEDs to tweak the spectrum to his liking. I just run stock and love it.