Lighting suggestion

MichaelP121579 · Jan 20, 2022

I'm looking for suggestions for lighting my new build tank is 48x24x16 but it's a peninsula tank so honestly I need to light around 43" long. I'm running t5 dimmable but wanting something different. And I don't like Radions. I've attached some photos of the build.
As always THANKS MY FELLOW REEFERS!

Coralsdaily · Jan 20, 2022

what do you have in mind? And what do you have against radians just curious?
I have the exact same size frag tank running 3x hydra64 with plenty of light to spare

happyhourhero · Jan 20, 2022

Im partial to ReefBreeders but they would be 48” if you went that route. I’ve never seen a coral that didn’t love ‘em tho.

Sean Clark · Jan 20, 2022

A few Kessil 360x would make that tank pop.

lazlodawg · Jan 20, 2022

I think the responses you get might depend on what type of coral you plan on keeping. I suppose the best strategy is to buy something powerful enough that you wouldn't have to upgrade if you decided to go full or significant SPS. Personally, I love the look of a Kessil light more than any other LED I've tried including various black boxes, AI Hydra, or Radions. It could just be coincidence, but when I switched to Kessil my corals started to grow much more quickly and I've had to almost double my ALK and Calcium dose in the last few months. Two AP9X would be amazing on your tank for SPS and one would work for a mixed reef with SPS in the middle and LPS/softies around the perimeter. You could also consider adding one and keep your T5 for more coverage while still adding a bit of that Kessil shimmer to the flat light that T5's put out. Again, this is all going to be dependent on your goals for the tank, budget, and what appeals to you visually as an individual.

Edited to second the post above about the 360X's. You could use two and spread them further apart, but I think you also would have to get a wifi dongle or spectral controller to use the Kessil app.

MichaelP121579 · Jan 20, 2022

I've owned kessil, Orphek, Prime 16s, 32, radion xr15 blues, illumagic blaze. Reef breeders v2. My favorite is Orphek, illumagic.

MichaelP121579 · Jan 20, 2022

happyhourhero said:
Im partial to ReefBreeders but they would be 48” if you went that route. I’ve never seen a coral that didn’t love ‘em tho.

I wasn't impressed. The remote is very " cheesy "

MichaelP121579 · Jan 20, 2022

Coralsdaily said:
what do you have in mind? And what do you have against radians just curious?
I have the exact same size frag tank running 3x hydra64 with plenty of light to spare

Just didn't like the blues and for the price of them I believe I can achieve alot more light for lot less money. My budget is 1200 -1500

happyhourhero · Jan 20, 2022

MichaelP121579 said:
I wasn't impressed. The remote is very " cheesy "

Definitely an important component of coral growth.

Miami Reef · Jan 20, 2022

Why would you switch from T5? I think LED’s are a downgrade.

Sean Clark · Jan 20, 2022

lazlodawg said:
I think the responses you get might depend on what type of coral you plan on keeping. I suppose the best strategy is to buy something powerful enough that you wouldn't have to upgrade if you decided to go full or significant SPS. Personally, I love the look of a Kessil light more than any other LED I've tried including various black boxes, AI Hydra, or Radions. It could just be coincidence, but when I switched to Kessil my corals started to grow much more quickly and I've had to almost double my ALK and Calcium dose in the last few months. Two AP9X would be amazing on your tank for SPS and one would work for a mixed reef with SPS in the middle and LPS/softies around the perimeter. You could also consider adding one and keep your T5 for more coverage while still adding a bit of that Kessil shimmer to the flat light that T5's put out. Again, this is all going to be dependent on your goals for the tank, budget, and what appeals to you visually as an individual.

Edited to second the post above about the 360X's. You could use two and spread them further apart, but I think you also would have to get a wifi dongle or spectral controller to use the Kessil app.

Yes the Kessils have lots of control options, and some do cost money to use (except for the AP9x).
You could buy the dongle and use the app. Extra $100
You could buy their controller use them that way. Extra $100
Or you could just link them together and plug them into a wall timer if you wanted to save some money.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 20, 2022

Youll be very happy with either a pair of Orphek OR3-120 sky blue and blue plus or pair of Ai Hydra 26 or 32hd

MichaelP121579 · Jan 20, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
Youll be very happy with either a pair of Orphek OR3-120 sky blue and blue plus or pair of Ai Hydra 26 or 32hd

The jbj is with a blaze thr redsea 2 Orpheks.

lazlodawg · Jan 20, 2022

Sean Clark said:
Yes the Kessils have lots of control options, and some do cost money to use (except for the AP9x).
You could buy the dongle and use the app. Extra $100
You could buy their controller use them that way. Extra $100
Or you could just link them together and plug them into a wall timer if you wanted to save some money.

I was just trying to clarify that you wouldn't need the dongle with the AP9X. I guess I didn't do a very good job of explaining myself!

Sean Clark · Jan 20, 2022

Those Orpheks look clean. Also essential for coral growth.

dedragon · Jan 20, 2022

Lol, you have pretty much tried all the big name brands and it seems like you prefer the flatter white look of orpheks and illumagic to say a blue like radion or a lot of shimmer like kessil. I would look into the ati straton and ghl mitras as well if you just wanted to try something new. Ati straton may be too wide for this tank though

Sean Clark · Jan 20, 2022

lazlodawg said:
I was just trying to clarify that you wouldn't need the dongle with the AP9X. I guess I didn't do a very good job of explaining myself!

haha you did a better job than I did. I didn't even mention control options. I just said throw some Kessils up there...

Sean Clark · Jan 20, 2022

dedragon said:
Lol, you have pretty much tried all the big name brands and it seems like you prefer the flatter white look of orpheks and illumagic to say a blue like radion or a lot of shimmer like kessil. I would look into the ati straton and ghl mitras as well if you just wanted to try something new. Ati straton may be too wide for this tank though

Stratons would be nice but OP said the budget was 1200-1500...