Help me decide. ..

[rs1831]

I'm in the process of setting up a 90 gallon tank. Eventually I would like it to be mostly sps but that's probably a year or so out so I'm wondering if I should buy less expensive lights now and then upgrade when needed? These are the units I'm considering. If I get the hybrid, I obviously would not have to upgrade.

Ati power module 2 X 75w, 4 X 39w
Ati sun power 6x39
Pacific Sun 2 X 75w 4 X 39
Reefbreeders photon 48

It would probably be more than a year till I have to upgrade if I buy the sun power or photon.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Roland

 

[Jimbo662]

I say why buy twice. Go ahead and get the good stuff the first time. Check out Kessil's A360WEs.

 

[rs1831]

I did check out the kessil's, I didn't really like how much shimmer they produced.

As far as buying twice, I'm not really a fan but if I don't need that level of lighting for over a year makes it hard to spend that much right now. Does anyone have any input on the proton 48? What about ati hybrid compared ro the Pacific Sun?

Thanks

 

[reggaedrummin]

Your lights will impact your experience with your tank more than any other feature so don't skimp here. They will determine the color of your coral, impact the health, and either add to your frustration or take away so for these reasons, don't cut corners on your lighting. Do plenty of research, see them in person, and make sure you get lights you'll be happy with. I don't know that there's much value in future planning with the rapid changes we're seeing in the hobby, though it is a consideration but you should still plan on spending some real cash on your lights. They'll be the lights you view your coral by every day!

 

[hart24601]

Reefbreeders are a fantastic light. It's easy to swap led colors should you want, and one of the best features imo is covering the entire surface with light. I don't like the small clusters that you see in many fixtures now. Once you get some large colonies those tend to self shade worse than even led distribution. You can get that with clusters, but it takes a lot of fixtures. That light should last you way longer than a year.

 

[Bernardhny]

Agreed. I went through two different light setups in a year as nd learned the hard way. Get what you need in the future now and save $$$ in the long run.

 

[WindeyD]

Not only with lights but with all equipment I advise getting what you really want/the best you can first; you'll end up spending the money later anyway.