Looking To Upgrade Lights! Any thoughts?"

ShaggyRS6 · Jan 27, 2020

I am looking to upgrade my lights, I am going to need something anyway when I get a bigger tank, but really want to get them now and run them on my Waterbox 100.3. Currently I run the Hydra 26HD's.

I am looking for more coverage and more penetration to the sand bed. The obvious choice to me are the Hydra 64 HD's but would like to hear your thoughts on what you would do?

johnston · Jan 27, 2020

I love the radions but interested and researching the reeffi jmo

ShaggyRS6 · Jan 28, 2020

johnston said:
I love the radions but interested and researching the reeffi jmo

How much better are the Radions over the Hydras ?

jda · Jan 28, 2020

To me, Hydra and Radion are about the same... slightly different, but more the same.

You will get more help if you post tank dimensions... is Waterbox something a tank size?

You might just need another Hydra, or two. I would rather have a pair of 32s than one 64. If the tank is large enough to use T5s, then lots of people have really liked adding them in a Aquatic Life unit.

Do you have any PAR readings?

johnston · Jan 28, 2020

don't know that they are better I like mine s was stating my opinion if you wanted tio research them as well

Hemmdog · Jan 28, 2020

Are you wanting to do led? T5 is also good, MH is amazing if you don’t mind a little extra heat

Terri Caton · Jan 28, 2020

I just switched from Radions to ReeFi and Love them!

themcnertney · Jan 28, 2020

If youre running hydras, I'd stick with what you know and stay with AI.

ShaggyRS6 · Jan 28, 2020

Dan McNertney said:
If youre running hydras, I'd stick with what you know and stay with AI.

That’s what I’m starting to think! Here is my current Par.

PatW · Jan 28, 2020

ShaggyRS6 said:
How much better are the Radions over the Hydras ?

I have AI. Radions seem to be considered the gold standard for LED lighting. But if you look at the specs of both, radions have an edge but not a big one. And many people are quite happy with good lower end LED units.

I would suggest checking the par in your tank. I run AI units and I have just a bit more lighting per square foot than you do and I grow montipora and acros just fine.

LED lighting has a drawback in being a point source and producing a shading problem for parts of colonies in the shade. People make up for it by adding more units (more light sources and less shading) and if it is too bright, dialing down the power some. Some people go whole hog on this and get a pile of AI primes but I think that is over kill.

I would suggest just adding one or maybe two more AI 24s but you will probably get AI 32s As the 24s are being phased out. Or you could sell your AIs and get Radions but I don’t think that there is not that much difference.

Another thing you could do is go hybrid. You could keep your AIs and add a T5 fixture or two to boost coverage and intensity.

In any event, I would recommend getting Par measures on your tank. If the par is ok, then you don’t have to worry unless you want a couple of units to give more even lighting. Without measuring par, you are guessing.

ShaggyRS6 · Jan 28, 2020

PatW said:
I have AI. Radions seem to be considered the gold standard for LED lighting. But if you look at the specs of both, radions have an edge but not a big one. And many people are quite happy with good lower end LED units.

I would suggest checking the par in your tank. I run AI units and I have just a bit more lighting per square foot than you do and I grow montipora and acros just fine.

LED lighting has a drawback in being a point source and producing a shading problem for parts of colonies in the shade. People make up for it by adding more units (more light sources and less shading) and if it is too bright, dialing down the power some. Some people go whole hog on this and get a pile of AI primes but I think that is over kill.

I would suggest just adding one or maybe two more AI 24s but you will probably get AI 32s As the 24s are being phased out. Or you could sell your AIs and get Radions but I don’t think that there is not that much difference.

Another thing you could do is go hybrid. You could keep your AIs and add a T5 fixture or two to boost coverage and intensity.

In any event, I would recommend getting Par measures on your tank. If the par is ok, then you don’t have to worry unless you want a couple of units to give more even lighting. Without measuring par, you are guessing.

Par measurements are above you last post !

lexinverts · Jan 28, 2020

ReeFi Duo Extremes are my pick! See Dana's review below:

Interesting 'New' LED Light

I just received two ReeFi LED lights for testing purposes. This company has been around for a while, but it is new to me, and I'm impressed with the thoughtful design. There are 72 LEDs in the array including cool white, warm white, amber, lime, blue, royal blue, violet, 420nm and 400nm, each on...

www.reef2reef.com

Kevin Duprey · Jan 28, 2020

Terri Caton said:
I just switched from Radions to ReeFi and Love them!

I did the same, except my Radions were paired with T5 in a hybrid setup. ReeFi lights are less point source than other similar LED form factors due to the reflectors they utilize. Very good depth penetration. I'm getting 200+ PAR on my sand bed in a RSR525XL. Over 400 near the tops of my rocks. Obviously you can dial them down to suit your needs.

johnston · Jan 28, 2020

anyonre got a good link to the reeFi lights or know of any sales??

Mical · Jan 28, 2020

Kessil fan here. Yes not cheap but they do produce results.

Gree23849 · Jan 28, 2020

I second the Hybrid option... Had a full 3 set of Hydra 26's... All of them broke (beginner user error - I had to add a small desk fan under my canopy because the Hydra fan wasn't keeping much moisture out). I'm left with one that I replaced and I'm switching to hybrid with T5's... There are some T5 setups that are pretty low cost and really great. My plan is to have my remaining Hydra as the dimming aspect to the aquarium since the T5 isn't dimmable, and then add a timer to the T5 for when the Hydra is at its brightest. I've read a lot on the forums and there seems to be a conflict with T5 vs LED, both have their ups and downs, so hybrid makes more sense to me. Otherwise, I've loved my remaining AI! And if you stick to LED, I'd hang onto AI

lexinverts · Jan 28, 2020

johnston said:
anyonre got a good link to the reeFi lights or know of any sales??

They are on sale indefinitely for $650, though I think the website still says $750. You need to use the ReeFiLove discount code to get the lower price:

ReeFi LED Duo Extreme – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

johnston · Jan 28, 2020

thank you

Terri Caton · Jan 28, 2020

Kevin Duprey said:
I did the same, except my Radions were paired with T5 in a hybrid setup. ReeFi lights are less point source than other similar LED form factors due to the reflectors they utilize. Very good depth penetration. I'm getting 200+ PAR on my sand bed in a RSR525XL. Over 400 near the tops of my rocks. Obviously you can dial them down to suit your needs.

I had the LED/T5 combo too.

These lights produce the most visually pleasing effect I have ever seen.
Like sun streaming down from above.
No disco effect
The blues will blow your mind.

Plus the customer service is crazy good. I am not fond of being able to see the digital display on the front of the lights. Mentioned it and was told they will make that an option to turn the display off with the next software update!

ShaggyRS6 · Jan 29, 2020

I really dont know what to do here. Now looking at Reef Breeders of just staying with AI and getting 2 64HD's. Probably overkill but Ill get less dead spots.