Looking for LED lighting recommendations

[Cassian]

Hey all!
I’m working on setting up my 200 gal setup that has been in storage for a few years. I’ve always been an eco tech radion user, but the new g6 models are so expensive. I’m wondering if anyone recommends any other brands and has good luck with them? I’m not opposed to investing in expensive lights, I’m just wondering if they are worth it or if they’ve just gotten too expensive to justify. I’ve heard a lot of people using “black box” LEDs and throwing some t5s in there and having great growth. Where do yall get those if that’s what you use?

Thanks in advance! Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[TX_REEF]

There are so many options out there these days, it's not easy!

I am a huge kessil fan because I love the shimmer and believe they yield superior color in corals, so my first option for you to consider would be the kessil AP9x. You'd probably need 2 of these for that size tank, each fixture covers 24x48. I use these on both of my current systems: https://amzn.to/4nFT9K2 . On my display, I supplement my single AP9x with an orphek bar to reduce shadowing: https://amzn.to/3WynnUb . it's kind of like a LED pseudo-T5.

Reefi is another fixture I've heard good things about. It's not as tried and true as kessil or ecotech, but it appears to be run by a true technical enthusiast, and you get a LOT of bang for your buck: https://www.reefi-lab.com/

For budget options, I always recommend people at least consider Noopscyhe, because they're super affordable and they just WORK. They aren't as sleek looking and controllable as some more expensive options, but they are battle-tested: https://noopsychereeflight.com/prod...kA_HBjXmeXpZt45Iu2gNEaTPTIi7r0uplPdHHquJ3uwfO

 

[Cassian]

There are so many options out there these days, it's not easy!

I am a huge kessil fan because I love the shimmer and believe they yield superior color in corals, so my first option for you to consider would be the kessil AP9x. You'd probably need 2 of these for that size tank, each fixture covers 24x48. I use these on both of my current systems: https://amzn.to/4nFT9K2 . On my display, I supplement my single AP9x with an orphek bar to reduce shadowing: https://amzn.to/3WynnUb . it's kind of like a LED pseudo-T5.

Reefi is another fixture I've heard good things about. It's not as tried and true as kessil or ecotech, but it appears to be run by a true technical enthusiast, and you get a LOT of bang for your buck: https://www.reefi-lab.com/

For budget options, I always recommend people at least consider Noopscyhe, because they're super affordable and they just WORK. They aren't as sleek looking and controllable as some more expensive options, but they are battle-tested: https://noopsychereeflight.com/prod...kA_HBjXmeXpZt45Iu2gNEaTPTIi7r0uplPdHHquJ3uwfO

Thanks so much for your input! I’ll definitely look into all of these!

 

[jmcdona6]

Hey all!
I’m working on setting up my 200 gal setup that has been in storage for a few years. I’ve always been an eco tech radion user, but the new g6 models are so expensive. I’m wondering if anyone recommends any other brands and has good luck with them? I’m not opposed to investing in expensive lights, I’m just wondering if they are worth it or if they’ve just gotten too expensive to justify. I’ve heard a lot of people using “black box” LEDs and throwing some t5s in there and having great growth. Where do yall get those if that’s what you use?

Thanks in advance! Any advice is much appreciated!

I am rocking two Nicrew 150's flanked by 4 T5 bulbs (2 on each side) on my 5ft Waterbox peninsula. The Nicrews have decent output, look nice (ecotech radion like to the untrained eye), and gives me solid ramp up and down programming options. The T5s come on during the peak of the day and blanket the tank with awesome coverage. The T5 setup was $440 at the time. Nicrew 150s were $200 when I bought them, but $240 now...varies based on sales and Amazon coupons. Pictures below for reference. All the coral came from frags over the last 6-9 months and have all doubled or tripled in size. More than ample lighting for less than $1,000. Can't beat it.

Disclaimer: I also have two older kessils but they are nearly burnt out. I run them on the lowest setting during the day and use them primarily as night-time lunar lights...so I don't really count them. Oddly enough I found that the lunar cycle doesn't like to engage unless they have a day output otherwise I wouldn't run them at all during the day.

 

[rtparty]

The Gen 2 Nicrew are better Radions

If you like Radions, avoid Kessil. They look nothing alike. The Kessils are harsh and laser beam spotlights

Nicrews and AI Blades are an awesome combo

 

[jbrady429]

I'm going to suggest that you take a look at Quanta Helix light bars and the Quanta Atlas lights (found at https://www.quanta-lights.com/). I use five Helix light bars over my sps tank and two Helix bars over my small softie tank, and I absolutely love them. I have been using Quanta lights exclusively on my tanks for the last three years with great results. The spectrum is fantastic, the PAR output is unbeatable, the quality of construction is top-notch, the price is great, and Luca (company owner) is fantastic to work with.

 

[Cassian]

I am rocking two Nicrew 150's flanked by 4 T5 bulbs (2 on each side) on my 5ft Waterbox peninsula. The Nicrews have decent output, look nice (ecotech radion like to the untrained eye), and gives me solid ramp up and down programming options. The T5s come on during the peak of the day and blanket the tank with awesome coverage. The T5 setup was $440 at the time. Nicrew 150s were $200 when I bought them, but $240 now...varies based on sales and Amazon coupons. Pictures below for reference. All the coral came from frags over the last 6-9 months and have all doubled or tripled in size. More than ample lighting for less than $1,000. Can't beat it.

Disclaimer: I also have two older kessils but they are nearly burnt out. I run them on the lowest setting during the day and use them primarily as night-time lunar lights...so I don't really count them. Oddly enough I found that the lunar cycle doesn't like to engage unless they have a day output otherwise I wouldn't run them at all during the day.

Wow that’s awesome!! Thanks for the advice and nice setup!