Help choosing appropriate lights please

[ILLSMOQ]

I’m ready to upgrade my lighting. Been running 6 AI VEGA’s for the last 10 years. Thinking to go with four Kessil AP9x or four Reef Builder Meridian’s.

My tank is 96” long 24” deep and 31” tall.

The hood / cabinetry above the tank has some structural support inside which leaves me with four openings about 23”x23”. Not really sure what lights I should go with or how to position them inside the canopy.

Thanks for any help guys!

 

[Tahoe61]

A bump for you.

Ten yr old AI Vega, boy are you going to love new fixtures.

 

[BryanM]

I would go with the ReefBreeder meridians. I love mine. Support is fantastic as well.

 

[mcarroll]

I’m ready to upgrade my lighting. Been running 6 AI VEGA’s for the last 10 years.

Assuming you didn't hate the Vega's since you had them so long.

Also assuming they did a good job for the same reason.

So why switch now?

Why not continue with AI?

(These answers are necessary if you want more meaningful advice on what to switch to.....dunno yet why you had what you had or how you liked it. Suggesting something at this point without more info would just be random to you.)

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Assuming you didn't hate the Vega's since you had them so long.

Also assuming they did a good job for the same reason.

So why switch now?

Why not continue with AI?

(These answers are necessary if you want more meaningful advice on what to switch to.....dunno yet why you had what you had or how you liked it. Suggesting something at this point without more info would just be random to you.)

I didn’t love the Vega’s. I was never 100% happy with the way they lit my tank. They worked though snd I spent a lot of money on them so I’ve kept them this long. I had to replace the tank due to a leak so I’m updating everything.

I want to keep fish, zoos, anemones and probably some LPS.

 

[mcarroll]

I didn’t love the Vega’s. I was never 100% happy with the way they lit my tank. They worked though snd I spent a lot of money on them so I’ve kept them this long. I had to replace the tank due to a leak so I’m updating everything.

I want to keep fish, zoos, anemones and probably some LPS.

Bummer about the leak!!!

Is this tank mostly a FOWLR? What corals are you keeping?

Can you say more about what you didn't like about the Vegas? Anything specific about the way they lit your tank?

Have you had any lights before that you liked better?

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Bummer about the leak!!!

Is this tank mostly a FOWLR? What corals are you keeping?

Can you say more about what you didn't like about the Vegas? Anything specific about the way they lit your tank?

Have you had any lights before that you liked better?

Yes that was a big bummer, it’s taken me almost 2 years to get it all back together again. It was built into the room cabinetry. I didn’t really plan for having to replace the tank. So when I had to replace it it was a huge undertaking.

Starting completely over with livestock. I got a number of fish in the tank already, small harmless fish like fire fish, cardinals, blennies, clowns, butterflies and a few Pygmy angels. Already have some BTA’s GSP, zoos, chalice, mushrooms and a small hammer coral. Pretty much stuff like that. Probably won’t get into SPS.

As for the Vega’s. Seems like the light is somewhat dull as opposed to what I see with newer lights like the Kessils. I have a Red Sea 43 with a hydra 32HD above it and that looks beautiful.

Also the Vega’s seem like they don’t penetrate the water.

I had a 14k halide before on a different tank years ago and everything had an almost high definition brightness or glow. The Vega’s don’t give me that.

Also when adjusting the colors of the Vega’s I could never find a mix or colors that I absolutely loved. I’d okay with it for a few hours and just give up. Lol

 

[slingfox]

Of the tanks I have seen, I prefer the look of the Reef Breeder Meridians over the Kessil.

 

[gcarroll]

Personally I would suggest you take a look at the Maxspect Ethreal Infinite 230. I would put this light up against anything on the market right now.

 

[Science/G]

Reefbreeder Meridians

 

[MegabiteOG]

Yes that was a big bummer, it’s taken me almost 2 years to get it all back together again. It was built into the room cabinetry. I didn’t really plan for having to replace the tank. So when I had to replace it it was a huge undertaking.

Starting completely over with livestock. I got a number of fish in the tank already, small harmless fish like fire fish, cardinals, blennies, clowns, butterflies and a few Pygmy angels. Already have some BTA’s GSP, zoos, chalice, mushrooms and a small hammer coral. Pretty much stuff like that. Probably won’t get into SPS.

As for the Vega’s. Seems like the light is somewhat dull as opposed to what I see with newer lights like the Kessils. I have a Red Sea 43 with a hydra 32HD above it and that looks beautiful.

Also the Vega’s seem like they don’t penetrate the water.

I had a 14k halide before on a different tank years ago and everything had an almost high definition brightness or glow. The Vega’s don’t give me that.

Also when adjusting the colors of the Vega’s I could never find a mix or colors that I absolutely loved. I’d okay with it for a few hours and just give up. Lol

If you loved your Halides, the closest thing in LED to them right now are Kessils. That tank would look great with them along with giving you near halide shimmer. In performance I'd go with the Reefbreeders. That's what I have on my tank and they are crazy good on growing corals, have great color, and likely better coverage than the Kessils. The RB's throw down a lot of light.

Being that you're not planning on SPS dominant tank, I think the Kessils would look fantastic and fish look great. But if you want your corals to REALLY POP, I'd put Reefbreeders in there all day long.

Good luck! Lights are quite the investment so it's great that you're asking for opinions.

 

[mcarroll]

Starting completely over with livestock. I got a number of fish in the tank already, small harmless fish like fire fish, cardinals, blennies, clowns, butterflies and a few Pygmy angels. Already have some BTA’s GSP, zoos, chalice, mushrooms and a small hammer coral. Pretty much stuff like that. Probably won’t get into SPS.

Sounds like a great re-beginning!

As for the Vega’s. Seems like the light is somewhat dull as opposed to what I see with newer lights like the Kessils. I have a Red Sea 43 with a hydra 32HD above it and that looks beautiful.

Also the Vega’s seem like they don’t penetrate the water.

I had a 14k halide before on a different tank years ago and everything had an almost high definition brightness or glow. The Vega’s don’t give me that.

Also when adjusting the colors of the Vega’s I could never find a mix or colors that I absolutely loved. I’d okay with it for a few hours and just give up. Lol

Wasn't the old halide "HD look" was due to the ultra-complete spectrum of halide as well as just more overall intensity of light. LED's are more efficient without question, but "better" is a different equation. We did leave some things behind with the switch. 20Kk 150 watt DE Radiums on proper M80 (from memory!) ballasts were always my gold standard...very white and perfect color compared to other 20Kk 150 watt bulbs I've seen. Probably similar to the 14Kk Phoenix that became popular later, tho I haven't seen those in person. I think I miss that look like you do. :)

If you feel similarly, IMO you should roll out a set of Kessils. I can't see all the LED fixtures out there (but if I could I would! :D), but from the ones I've seen these are the "next best thing". Kessil also offer the best lens options if you want to mount the light higher (or even higher) but IMO they are best 4-5 inches off the surface since that's where you maximize internal reflections. They facilitate non-controller use the best compared to other LEDs if you want to go completely old school with just "on-off" control. The built in Kessil color blend is fantastic and even tunable without a controller but they also give you (with controller purchase or WiFi use) a discrete set of RGB(v) channels to use if you are into photography and photoshopping, etc or otherwise want to tweak the color.

That said, I've been happy with Kessil, Maxpect, Ecoxotic, Ocean Revive as well as DIY....there are many other good makes as well. So at least IMO it's actually quite hard to go wrong these days IMO. (...compared to 10 years ago when the Vegas came out....the LED market was significantly less homogenous back then.)

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Wasn't the old halide "HD look" was due to the ultra-complete spectrum of halide as well as just more overall intensity of light. LED's are more efficient without question, but "better" is a different equation. We did leave some things behind with the switch. 20Kk 150 watt DE Radiums on proper M80 (from memory!) ballasts were always my gold standard...very white and perfect color compared to other 20Kk 150 watt bulbs I've seen. Probably similar to the 14Kk Phoenix that became popular later, tho I haven't seen those in person. I think I miss that look like you do. :)

If you feel similarly, IMO you should roll out a set of Kessils. I can't see all the LED fixtures out there (but if I could I would! :D), but from the ones I've seen these are the "next best thing". Kessil also offer the best lens options if you want to mount the light higher (or even higher) but IMO they are best 4-5 inches off the surface since that's where you maximize internal reflections. They facilitate non-controller use the best compared to other LEDs if you want to go completely old school with just "on-off" control. The built in Kessil color blend is fantastic and even tunable without a controller but they also give you (with controller purchase or WiFi use) a discrete set of RGB(v) channels to use if you are into photography and photoshopping, etc or otherwise want to tweak the color.

That said, I've been happy what the heck Kessil, Maxpect, Ecoxotic, Ocean Revive as well as DIY....there are many other good makes as well. So at least IMO it's actually quite hard to go wrong these days IMO. (...compared to 10 years ago when the Vegas came out....the LED market was significantly less homogenous back then.)

14k phoenix is what I had and I loved it. I’ve only seen Kessils in person at LFS and a friends house. I really liked it. I planned to go that route until I started researching and saw all the options we have now. I’d like to see the Reef Builders in person.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

If you loved your Halides, the closest thing in LED to them right now are Kessils. That tank would look great with them along with giving you near halide shimmer. In performance I'd go with the Reefbreeders. That's what I have on my tank and they are crazy good on growing corals, have great color, and likely better coverage than the Kessils. The RB's throw down a lot of light.

Being that you're not planning on SPS dominant tank, I think the Kessils would look fantastic and fish look great. But if you want your corals to REALLY POP, I'd put Reefbreeders in there all day long.

Good luck! Lights are quite the investment so it's great that you're asking for opinions.

For sure! More expensive than the tank itself haha! Leaning towards the Kessils.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Personally I would suggest you take a look at the Maxspect Ethreal Infinite 230. I would put this light up against anything on the market right now.

Thank you, I will look into those.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

Of the tanks I have seen, I prefer the look of the Reef Breeder Meridians over the Kessil.

It would be great if I could see the Meridians in person