Hi everyone!
I'm starting a new build. Same old story, despite my best efforts I have been overrun by vermetids and also got a little bored and busy with work (life, right?). I've decided to downgrade from a 5x2x2 DT to a 3ft x 2ft x 16 inch shallow reef. My goal is a simple, lower maintenance, bare bottom, SPS reef. The tank has been ordered and I have the scape cycling. I've designed it so nothing is higher that 8 inches and so a lot of flow can go under the rockwork.
I'm just not sure how each option would play out in a shallow reef. My current (soon to be former) tank had a 5ft ATI Hybrid powermodule. I can't complain about the light output but it was unreliable and has finally given out after 2.5 years of dodgy operation (1 year warranty on a $3500 aud unit seems a little rough).I feel like the ATI T5 technology is robust, but basically everything else from the LED drivers to the firmware to the wi-fi interface was a complete dud with multiple different failures over a short time. Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a whinge about ATI because I am considering going all T5 with an ATI unit. Just letting you know what matters to me. Reliable, low maintenance and grows and colours SPS.
I'd be grateful for your thoughts and debate on what you would want to light a 3x2 shallow SPS reef tank with. In particular I'm really unsure about factors to consider with a shallow reef in terms of spread, par, mounting height, light spill etc. Options I have considered so far are 2 x Radion xr15 g5, 1 x Orphek Atlantik v4 or a 6 bulb ATI 39 watt T5 unit.
Thank you!
I'm starting a new build. Same old story, despite my best efforts I have been overrun by vermetids and also got a little bored and busy with work (life, right?). I've decided to downgrade from a 5x2x2 DT to a 3ft x 2ft x 16 inch shallow reef. My goal is a simple, lower maintenance, bare bottom, SPS reef. The tank has been ordered and I have the scape cycling. I've designed it so nothing is higher that 8 inches and so a lot of flow can go under the rockwork.
I'm just not sure how each option would play out in a shallow reef. My current (soon to be former) tank had a 5ft ATI Hybrid powermodule. I can't complain about the light output but it was unreliable and has finally given out after 2.5 years of dodgy operation (1 year warranty on a $3500 aud unit seems a little rough).I feel like the ATI T5 technology is robust, but basically everything else from the LED drivers to the firmware to the wi-fi interface was a complete dud with multiple different failures over a short time. Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a whinge about ATI because I am considering going all T5 with an ATI unit. Just letting you know what matters to me. Reliable, low maintenance and grows and colours SPS.
I'd be grateful for your thoughts and debate on what you would want to light a 3x2 shallow SPS reef tank with. In particular I'm really unsure about factors to consider with a shallow reef in terms of spread, par, mounting height, light spill etc. Options I have considered so far are 2 x Radion xr15 g5, 1 x Orphek Atlantik v4 or a 6 bulb ATI 39 watt T5 unit.
Thank you!