Light help

kamikazereefer · Jul 17, 2017

Guy What would be the best for my tank
I already have 2 gen 4 radion

Add 4 t5 and keep my 2 radion

Buy a 8 bulb ati fixture with 2 reefbright strip

Money is not the point I want the best coloration and growth waiting for your help thanks

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 17, 2017

You'll need to give the dimensions of the tank and the model of Radion to deterimne if theirs a coverage issue that would warrant the addition of additional lamps and par readings if you feel they are low. and if there a need for more light intensity.

A par meter may be a good thing if you don't have one and budget is not an issue.

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
You'll need to give the dimensions of the tank and the model of Radion to deterimne if theirs a coverage issue that would warrant the addition of additional lamps and par readings if you feel they are low. and if there a need for more light intensity.

A par meter may be a good thing if you don't have one and budget is not an issue.

48x24x22
Radion x30 g4 pro version

mtraylor · Jul 18, 2017

kamikazereefer said:
Guy What would be the best for my tank
I already have 2 gen 4 radion

Add 4 t5 and keep my 2 radion

Buy a 8 bulb ati fixture with 2 reefbright strip

Money is not the point I want the best coloration and growth waiting for your help thanks

What does your aquarium currently look like in regards to lighting?
What kind of coral are you trying to grow?
Are you having issues with growth and coloration?
-I would lean towards water quality first before even thinking about lighting. You can have what is perceived to be best lighting with bad water quality and you will have coral issues.

Just from the little bit I can gather from your post. It appears that you may not have an issue at all with lighting, but you want to ensure you have "The best lighting" you can get for what you want to start growing in your reef. If this is the case, I would think that the lighting that you currently have is really nice. If you want more PAR just add another one.

If growth and color is truly what you want......and you want it as quick as you can get it.... I would recommend 2 250Watt MH Pendant with T5 or T12 supplement.

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

mtraylor said:
What does your aquarium currently look like in regards to lighting?
What kind of coral are you trying to grow?
Are you having issues with growth and coloration?
-I would lean towards water quality first before even thinking about lighting. You can have what is perceived to be best lighting with bad water quality and you will have coral issues.

Just from the little bit I can gather from your post. It appears that you may not have an issue at all with lighting, but you want to ensure you have "The best lighting" you can get for what you want to start growing in your reef. If this is the case, I would think that the lighting that you currently have is really nice. If you want more PAR just add another one.

If growth and color is truly what you want......and you want it as quick as you can get it.... I would recommend 2 250Watt MH Pendant with T5 or T12 supplement.

yeah you're right i feel like something missing with only the radion and I love the look of t5 so I'm wondering if I should only add t5 to my radion or get the ati fixture and add reefbright led I believe hybrid is best of both word for sps coral

mtraylor · Jul 18, 2017

I believe the Radion xr30 g4 pro's are the cream of the crop in that line of LED's. I would first try and tweak the light to see if you can get what you desire. If not, they make a geissman hybrid that is led and t5 that sounds like it will fit your needs.

jsker · Jul 18, 2017

I would go with the new 8 blub and the reefbright strip, if you are going to change the go big. This coming for a LED person:) I have read a few threads and yes the Radion's are a great light and many will make the points to keep them and supplement them but the ATI or Geisman lamps are awesome lamps and if I were to go T5 Geisman is the lamp would be my first choice and then ATI. I have read and have a tread in my signature with member with many different friendly views.

smokin'reefer · Jul 18, 2017

Radions are awesome imo, but everyone is different on what they want to see when they look at their tank.(which can be as different as their taste.)

I recall another thread where a member had gone to a reef trade show like Reefapalooza and was able to see the light that gave him the coloration he was looking for. That might be a better option to see all the options first hand on tanks rather than "buy it to try it" til you find the right one. I believe the member I mentioned settled on a metal halide hybrid after seeing everything first hand. But that was his taste.

Good luck and happy reefing.

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

jsker said:
I would go with the new 8 blub and the reefbright strip, if you are going to change the go big. This coming for a LED person:) I have read a few threads and yes the Radion's are a great light and many will make the points to keep them and supplement them but the ATI or Geisman lamps are awesome lamps and if I were to go T5 Geisman is the lamp would be my first choice and then ATI. I have read and have a tread in my signature with member with many different friendly views.

Thanks for your reply still confuse but I think this is the best way to go for me with what I want to achieve in my tank

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

smokin'reefer said:
Radions are awesome imo, but everyone is different on what they want to see when they look at their tank.(which can be as different as their taste.)

I recall another thread where a member had gone to a reef trade show like Reefapalooza and was able to see the light that gave him the coloration he was looking for. That might be a better option to see all the options first hand on tanks rather than "buy it to try it" til you find the right one. I believe the member I mentioned settled on a metal halide hybrid after seeing everything first hand. But that was his taste.

Good luck and happy reefing.

Thanks yeah all the tanks with hybrid was crazy one but radion are awesome light too but I really want to add t5

That's why I'm
So confuse of the way to do it keep radion and add 4 t5 or ati 8 bulb with reefbright

jsker · Jul 18, 2017

kamikazereefer said:
Thanks for your reply still confuse but I think this is the best way to go for me with what I want to achieve in my tank

I agree

mtraylor · Jul 18, 2017

Do you have a hood to place everything in or a mount or just hanging over the aquarium. That may help you with decision....aesthetically.
The 4 t5 bulb addition would be the most economical and get you what you want I believe. JMO.

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 18, 2017

I didn't not like the way leds looked on the tank. I added more units to get a broader spread, and added diffusion to the units in one of them. . In my other tank, I pulled several of the lenses to allow more blending and reduce spotlighting, shimmer and shadowing. a larger broader light source allows more wrap of the light around the subject as the light now comes from many more angels. Thats why t5 and MH with large reflectors have such good coverage.

Brew12 · Jul 18, 2017

Have you considered one of these?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aurora-hybrid-48-4x54-3x85w-led-giesemann.html

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

mtraylor said:
Do you have a hood to place everything in or a mount or just hanging over the aquarium. That may help you with decision....aesthetically.
The 4 t5 bulb addition would be the most economical and get you what you want I believe. JMO.

Right now they are on rms but I got everything at home to build a hood if needed
Radion g4 still nice light haaaaaaaa why so many option !!!!!

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I didn't not like the way leds looked on the tank. I added more units to get a broader spread, and added diffusion to the units in one of them. . In my other tank, I pulled several of the lenses to allow more blending and reduce spotlighting, shimmer and shadowing. a larger broader light source allows more wrap of the light around the subject as the light now comes from many more angels. Thats why t5 and MH with large reflectors have such good coverage.

I agree I start with 2 add a third one to get better spread but still missing something my god it's a tougher choice !!

kamikazereefer · Jul 18, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I didn't not like the way leds looked on the tank. I added more units to get a broader spread, and added diffusion to the units in one of them. . In my other tank, I pulled several of the lenses to allow more blending and reduce spotlighting, shimmer and shadowing. a larger broader light source allows more wrap of the light around the subject as the light now comes from many more angels. Thats why t5 and MH with large reflectors have such good coverage.

I agree I start with 2 add a third one to get better spread but still missing something my god it's a tougher choice !!