Lighting Upgrade 72x30x24

[JonoH]

Hey All

Looking at upgrading my LED's this year at some point - currently running 5x AI Hydra 52's in my 72" x 30" x 24" deep tank.

Considering either upgrading the Hydra's to the Luxdium LED's and Len's, but the cost of this is more than buying something like the X30 chinese copies (X30's or the AS8's).
What are your thoughts on this?

I am going to add in some LED Bars to the front and back of the tank just to get some more light to the edges (probably going to order some Orphek's for this).

Thanks!

 

[JonoH]

Bump...
Had a quote now also for 4x Orphek Natura ICon's also, seem like a good option - not sure though if i would be better off with the bigger atlantik v4's instead though.

 

[Davileet]

Hey. Did you ever upgrade your lights?

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2 and some AI Blades

If you really have the budget, 3 ATI Straton X would rock that tank as well

 

[Davileet]

Nicrew Gen 2 and some AI Blades

If you really have the budget, 3 ATI Straton X would rock that tank as well

Only issue is that Straton X will be hard to get anytime soon. I understand back orders are going a good bit into the future.

Would probably swing for Helix bars over AI Blades.
Nicrew over Reefi? Is the Nicrew not having an average of 2 year lifespan?

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

Would probably swing for Helix bars over AI Blades.

Just on the spectrum alone, Helix over Blades all day long.

Nicrew over Reefi? Is the Nicrew not having an average of 2 year lifespan?

Both. No need to pick between the two when the extended warranty from Amazon eliminates any Nicrew doubt. And there's that Meanwell that ships with the Nicrew that I'm willing to bet eliminates the G1 power supply problem.

 

[Davileet]

Just on the spectrum alone, Helix over Blades all day long.


Both. No need to pick between the two when the extended warranty from Amazon eliminates any Nicrew doubt. And there's that Meanwell that ships with the Nicrew that I'm willing to bet eliminates the G1 power supply problem.

I just wonder how hard it is to get Assurion to replace a Nicrew though. I’ve read some user stories online they aren’t as good as someone would hope, offering partial refunds, etc.

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

I just wonder how hard it is to get Assurion to replace a Nicrew though. I’ve read some user stories online they aren’t as good as someone would hope, offering partial refunds, etc.

Great question, and worth asking.

I see it a little differently. Lights are only as good as their warranty. Anything functional after that warranty is icing on the cake. That won't be a popular opinion, but companies are not required to honor anything beyond the warranty. I'd rather have a long warranty or a partial warranty than a one-year warranty.

 

[JonoH]

Hey. Did you ever upgrade your lights?

I actually have not yet - I did add AI Blades though to both front and back, plus at each end which has helped shading.

The AI Hydra's are still going strong and dont have any burnt lens, plus coral is growing like crazy.
I am currently testing one of the a8 lights on my frag tank, and it has been great - so at this stage I may lean towards them - but also still just considering using the Luxadium upgrade kits.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Stratons are worth the wait. Have them on the same size tank and they grow anything anywhere as well as tell you what PAR is as you adjust the intensity.

 

[JonoH]

Stratons are worth the wait. Have them on the same size tank and they grow anything anywhere as well as tell you what PAR is as you adjust the intensity.

Not a very cost effective option though... At a guess i would need 3 of the larger versions (to match the output of what I am getting currently), they are close to $3690 each fitting - not including mounting brackets etc.
Would be cheaper to go to Radions.

I have a PAR meter, so no issues in measuring PAR, not sure how a light fitting would be able to do this other than just estimating it?

 

[Science/G]

Reefbreeder Meridians offer the best par and spectrum for the money!

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

Reefbreeder Meridians offer the best par and spectrum for the money!

Do you have data to support that? I asked because I measured the spectrum today, and compared to others, I know where it stands.

 

[JonoH]

Do you have data to support that? I asked because I measured the spectrum today, and compared to others, I know where it stands.

Not to mention i'm in Australia...