How can anyone be happy with the lighting options out there?
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tehmadreefer
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T5 retro kit
I'm just gonna chime in with a couple things. 1st is in most cases you get what you pay for, I use this when I meet a new person I've taken out fishing or they come by and ask what kinds of rods and reels we used, say if we just won a fishing tournament. I tell them I buy the best rods and reels I can afford because they are better built so they will last you longer than a cheaper version, I've found the same applies for the most part to the hardware we use in this hobby. 2nd depends on your tank setup and location. If I was starting a new tank and had the option to use metal halides I would absolutely light the tank with them as they are probably the best light for growing corals (I'm sure alot would disagree) but in my experience and friends tanks I have witnessed over the years halides are hard to beat. But my current tank I setup a little over 4 years ago i wanted it in my bedroom so i went with leds just because my bedroom is the warmest room in the house because of the sun baking on the walls, and since i didnt have a place to hookup a chiller, etc.. I had to go with leds. I went with Kessil 160's and 360's and I haven't been disappointed at all, they work good enough for the options I had to make the tank happen in my bedroom. But I still believe halides are king if you have the option in your situation. If I get another tank that will go in my living room it will be lit by halides 100% for sure. Heres a pic of my bedroom tank, it's good enough for me.
Bpb
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I'm just gonna chime in with a couple things. 1st is in most cases you get what you pay for, I use this when I meet a new person I've taken out fishing or they come by and ask what kinds of rods and reels we used, say if we just won a fishing tournament. I tell them I buy the best rods and reels I can afford because they are better built so they will last you longer than a cheaper version, I've found the same applies for the most part to the hardware we use in this hobby. 2nd depends on your tank setup and location. If I was starting a new tank and had the option to use metal halides I would absolutely light the tank with them as they are probably the best light for growing corals (I'm sure alot would disagree) but in my experience and friends tanks I have witnessed over the years halides are hard to beat. But my current tank I setup a little over 4 years ago i wanted it in my bedroom so i went with leds just because my bedroom is the warmest room in the house because of the sun baking on the walls, and since i didnt have a place to hookup a chiller, etc.. I had to go with leds. I went with Kessil 160's and 360's and I haven't been disappointed at all, they work good enough for the options I had to make the tank happen in my bedroom. But I still believe halides are king if you have the option in your situation. If I get another tank that will go in my living room it will be lit by halides 100% for sure. Heres a pic of my bedroom tank, it's good enough for me.
Outstanding tank
Thanks and it's such a simple setup. No controllers, no doses etc.. Biggest high tech gadgets are the lights and skimmer. And haven't done a water change in 3 years now. I still wish I could have gone with halides mostly because of the faster growth rate especially for the acros but color and health are not an issue with the leds.
RCS82
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Great tank definitely and love the clown trigger, awfully bold of you lol.I'm just gonna chime in with a couple things. 1st is in most cases you get what you pay for, I use this when I meet a new person I've taken out fishing or they come by and ask what kinds of rods and reels we used, say if we just won a fishing tournament. I tell them I buy the best rods and reels I can afford because they are better built so they will last you longer than a cheaper version, I've found the same applies for the most part to the hardware we use in this hobby. 2nd depends on your tank setup and location. If I was starting a new tank and had the option to use metal halides I would absolutely light the tank with them as they are probably the best light for growing corals (I'm sure alot would disagree) but in my experience and friends tanks I have witnessed over the years halides are hard to beat. But my current tank I setup a little over 4 years ago i wanted it in my bedroom so i went with leds just because my bedroom is the warmest room in the house because of the sun baking on the walls, and since i didnt have a place to hookup a chiller, etc.. I had to go with leds. I went with Kessil 160's and 360's and I haven't been disappointed at all, they work good enough for the options I had to make the tank happen in my bedroom. But I still believe halides are king if you have the option in your situation. If I get another tank that will go in my living room it will be lit by halides 100% for sure. Heres a pic of my bedroom tank, it's good enough for me.
But the "you get what you pay for" part. I feel that isnt really the case when it comes to Reef lighting. Plenty of high end LED units out there with problems I would expect from a much cheaper unit.
Bpb
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How are you managing calcium and alkalinity with such a heavy stony load?
sawdonkey
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Here is my 125 mixed with the three A360WEs. I got them used for 250 apiece
Great looking tank, but that shimmer/disco ball effect looks seizure inducing. Maybe it’s just the video?
Reefkeeper28
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Not sure if anyone asked, but what are you planning to have in the tank. Also look on marketplace/craigslist etc. I found a year old maxspect r420r for 60 bucks. Basically need to decide what u need and/or want... Decisions Decisions...
RCS82
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I was gonna ask this too but figured with the title of the thread, it wasn't too critical.
Me, I'm pretty happy with the lighting selection we have.
sarcophytonIndy
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The amount of shimmer is easy to control by adjusting the surface turbulence.
ca1ore
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Maybe somebody corrected already (cannot be bothered to go through all the posts) but the Kessil are not puck lights, they’re an integrated chip. A360s haven’t been particularly enduring for me, but the 160s are much better. I had a pair of them over a 30L for awhile and they worked quite well.
Seachem reef builder for alk, keeps it between 6.5 to 7.5 with a scoop and a half a day. And seachem calcium around 4 scoops a week, and it hovers between 425 to 475. I check them both with Hanna testers, the calcium once every 2 weeks and the alk I test once a week. Seachem for magnesium but I only check that once a month as it doesnt fluctuate as much. Maybe a little old school for some but for me it's simple and effective. Also when I take off for a fishing trip for a week or so it's simple for my wife to take care of.
Ya have no idea how comparable that is for reef lighting as I have only had experience with the Kessils for the last 6 years but they haven't given me any problems. But as far as fishing reels go it does apply 100%.
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91yjeeper
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You have an amazing tank! Well done, I'm super jealous, but your logic comes off as "I bought a Corvette, and I'm happy. Check out my burnouts." ...It's not so helpful when I'm looking for the Honda Accord of reef lighting.
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91yjeeper
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Honest question, what do you like about this MH over other options?I was gonna ask this too but figured with the title of the thread, it wasn't too critical.
Me, I'm pretty happy with the lighting selection we have.
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