led's for a 120

Tphill · Dec 28, 2013

I'm getting ready to set-up a 120 gallon tank, standard dimensions (4x2x2). It is reef ready with the 2 overflow boxes off centered in the back, not in the corners. I'm planning on having several sps mostly in the top 1/3 or 1/2 of the tank, monti's and birdsnest type to start, and zoa's and paly's and maybe some lps if I can find lower flow/light places for them. My latest biggest decision to make is lights. I'm thinking 2 Evergrow IT2040's. Would this be enough light? If not, what would in the price range of around $600? Thanks.

Ron Reefman · Dec 29, 2013

Two IT2040's would work great over you tank. I have two IT2080's over my 6' x 2' x 2' tank and over the last year my corals have done just as good or better than they did with 1000 watts of MH! I have an IT2040 a second tank as well. All 3 fixtures have run 24/7 for a year now without a single issue. I couldn't be happier.

joeyhatch11 · Dec 29, 2013

reefbreeders

Tphill · Dec 29, 2013

Thanks for the responses. Ron, I have 1 IT2080 over a 75 gallon tank that is softie dominated. I really like the light. Joey, I looked at the 48" Photon but with the spread of the led lights I was concerned that the light from the led's on the end would be mostly wasted outside the tank.
I also looked into diy, but with cree led's that cost gets up around $800-$900. I think one of these manufacturers making the 32" lights should add 1 or 2 rows of led's, making the fixture's dimensions around 32"x11"x2.5", and getting the led count up around 120-140, for those with 2' and wider tanks. Just my opinion.

Rjramos · Dec 29, 2013

I got 2 reef radiance lumetek 120 over the same size tank right now for about 2 months. I replaced 2- 250W metal halides with 65W PC's. So far I haven't noticed any negative changes. I got them on custom mode ramping up to full power in the middle of the day. I found these to be the best deal going for a fully programmable/dimmable LED fixture. Check them out.

1.0reef · Dec 29, 2013

Reefbreeders would be nice, Razors are also good, you could look into a DIY fixture, two Lumina builds or Evil Cluster builds would cost around $300 each.

Adam10045 · Dec 29, 2013

Two is plenty. Three starts to be an overkill for a 4' tank

Rjramos · Dec 29, 2013

Reef radiance under $300 each and if you by 2 or more Rick will hook u up!

general0 · Dec 29, 2013

I have the same style tank 2 IT2040's and 1 AI SOL Blue behind them for rear light due to my aquascaping and it is more than enough light for it.

Dalmatia · Dec 29, 2013

I got mine here and very impressed
http://soscigroup.en.made-in-china....arium-Light-with-Remote-Control-SL-A012-.html

Tphill · Dec 31, 2013

Thanks for all the suggestions. 1 more question. With 2 lights like the IT2040's, is there a way to control both lights with one controller programmed, or do you have to program both lights? Thanks.

OceanRevive · Jan 1, 2014

Tphill said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. 1 more question. With 2 lights like the IT2040's, is there a way to control both lights with one controller programmed, or do you have to program both lights? Thanks.

Right now you get a controller in every IT fixture and you have to set each one. I have 3 spread out over 2 tanks (2 OR-IT2080's and an OR-IT2040). It takes a bit of time to get them programmed, but I haven't touched any of mine in 3-4 months. That's when I changed my schedule to an 8 hour sunrise, 1 hour midday at 80% blue and 40% white, and then an 8 hour sunset. The first 3 hours at dawn and the last 3 hours at dusk are all blue.

In the not too distant future (3-4 months), look for an EverGrow fixture where you get 1 controller for as many as 10 fixtures or an OceanRevive fixture where they can all be run off a reef controller.

Tphill · Jan 1, 2014

Those are the lights I had talked to you about and the ones I've been waiting for, but I don't want to wait 3-4 more months (or 6-8 in reality).

Ron Reefman · Jan 2, 2014

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither should your tank. There are lots of lights out there you can get to do what you want, just be prepared to pay for the experience. I'm waiting too, but I'd rather wait now and get what I want at a reasonable price than buy the $600-$800 fixtures that do what I want but are over priced. Patience will be rewarded.

bigfoot86 · Jan 2, 2014

Ron has a good point above. There are some pricey fixtures out there with A LOT of unneeded bell and whistles. If you take your time and research a little I'm sure you'll find a reasonbly priced light.