Help with deciding leds

[Pheallox]

Want upgrade to leds from my T5s (4x39watt)
I am new to leds and feeling overwhelmed, I have a mixed reef that is 36x20x20 not planning to keep many sps, and I have a budget of $750 for this upgrade, I was looking at getting two AI prime 16hds but I don't think that will be enough.
Please share your experiences and if this is even possible with the budget I have.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I feel a nicrew 150w or 200w would be much better than 2 AI Primes, cheaper too.

 

[crazyfishmom]

Want upgrade to leds from my T5s (4x39watt)
I am new to leds and feeling overwhelmed, I have a mixed reef that is 36x20x20 not planning to keep many sps, and I have a budget of $750 for this upgrade, I was looking at getting two AI prime 16hds but I don't think that will be enough.
Please share your experiences and if this is even possible with the budget I have.

If going AI for a tank that size I would shop for two 32 HD which you can easily find in the used forum for ~$500. I have two that I plan to put up for sale at that price and I’m sure there are some that are already up for that much (not a sales pitch). You can also go for a single Hydra 64HD for that tank.

You can potentially shoot for two Nicrew gen 2 for $600 for the pair if choosing the 200W.

All great options and well within your budget.

Good luck!

 

[Pheallox]

Personally I feel a nicrew 150w or 200w would be much better than 2 AI Primes, cheaper too.

I am new to leds, can you please elaborate for me.

 

[jbrady429]

You’re going to get a lot of recommendations, but I would suggest that you consider the Quanta Helix bars (they’re at www.quanta-lights.com). I use five of them over my SPS tank and I love them. They come in 36” lengths, have a fantastic spectrum, produce a ton of light (you wouldn’t need more than one ReefCrest Daylight and one Meso Blue, but you could go with one daylight and three blues if you like a more blue look), and are dimmable. I really like the way the tank looks with them, and they’re more affordable than any “name brand” options as well.

 

[Pheallox]

Looks like I will be going

If going AI for a tank that size I would shop for two 32 HD which you can easily find in the used forum for ~$500. I have two that I plan to put up for sale at that price and I’m sure there are some that are already up for that much (not a sales pitch). You can also go for a single Hydra 64HD for that tank.

You can potentially shoot for two Nicrew gen 2 for $600 for the pair if choosing the 200W.

All great options and well within your budget.

Good luck!

Looks like I will be going with nicrew good reviews, more listed power and about the same controllable features, I will update when I get them setup.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Well if budget is not an issue. 2 Kessil A360xe blue tunas. That should cover the tank nicely and have future SPS.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Want upgrade to leds from my T5s (4x39watt)
I am new to leds and feeling overwhelmed, I have a mixed reef that is 36x20x20 not planning to keep many sps, and I have a budget of $750 for this upgrade, I was looking at getting two AI prime 16hds but I don't think that will be enough.
Please share your experiences and if this is even possible with the budget I have.

3 quanta bar setup. Comes with tank mounts as a package but I dont think will be available until Feb. I think its under 500 bucks. I have a meso blue and its really nice.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Well if budget is not an issue. 2 Kessil A360xe blue tunas. That should cover the tank nicely and have future SPS.

I have these and I still am not getting 300 par, even with an added quanta bar. If he wants to keep acros, I am not sure that will be enough light. My tank also looks really dark without fill light- its really noticable when you add additional lighting.