Talk to me about your lighting setup

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
What are you running? Are you happy with it?

I'm in the middle of a soft reboot of my 36x20x20 tank, planning to go mostly SPS. I've mostly run T5's for the last 15 years and currently running a 6x24 T5 fixture on this tank. I'm ready for a change though, I miss the shimmer and need more intensity.

I've used MH in the past which I loved, but this is a rimless tank and I want an attractive, sleek fixture above it. I'm considering LED's which I don't have much experience with, or a T5/LED hybrid setup.

I'd love thoughts from successful acro keepers. Considering Mitras LX7, ATI Straton, 2 XR15 Radions, T5/Kessil combo, Neptune Sky.

Thanks!
 

thomas_neil

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 7, 2021
Messages
470
Reaction score
289
Location
Grand Rapids
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
What are you running? Are you happy with it?

I'm in the middle of a soft reboot of my 36x20x20 tank, planning to go mostly SPS. I've mostly run T5's for the last 15 years and currently running a 6x24 T5 fixture on this tank. I'm ready for a change though, I miss the shimmer and need more intensity.

I've used MH in the past which I loved, but this is a rimless tank and I want an attractive, sleek fixture above it. I'm considering LED's which I don't have much experience with, or a T5/LED hybrid setup.

I'd love thoughts from successful acro keepers. Considering Mitras LX7, ATI Straton, 2 XR15 Radions, T5/Kessil combo, Neptune Sky.

Thanks!
I’ve had good luck with quanta pro light bars. I’m currently running 2 messo blue and 2 reef crest day lights paired with 3 Kessils for shimmer and hot spots for more light dominant acros.
The quanta are pretty easy, just plug them into a timer and you’re good to go. The owner takes all the guess work out of the equation so all you need to adjust is mounting height. I’m not a huge fan of all the guessing with adjusting the higher end led lights.
 

X-37B

Fight the Good Fight
View Badges
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
9,011
Reaction score
15,634
Location
Outer Limits
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Long time halide user here.
My 36x24x12 frag system is lit by 3-16hds. My nano cube runs 2 16hds. The color of my coral has increased from the 1 250watt 14k phoenix.
I just got my 80g up and will be running 2 xr15 gen5 pro. The 30g remote fuge will be lit by a 16hd.
The 80 will go where my 120 was.

So from a halide user to leds who will never go back. Leds can grow anything with amazing color today.

On your tank I would opt for 1 xr30 gen 5 pro and be done.
Mulitple 16's would also work.
2 xr15's would also be an option.
My frag and nano stick cube.
20220403_161808.jpg
20220424_155611.jpg
 
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Long time halide user here.
My 36x24x12 frag system is lit by 3-16hds. My nano cube runs 2 16hds. The color of my coral has increased from the 1 250watt 14k phoenix.
I just got my 80g up and will be running 2 xr15 gen5 pro. The 30g remote fuge will be lit by a 16hd.
The 80 will go where my 120 was.

So from a halide user to leds who will never go back. Leds can grow anything with amazing color today.

On your tank I would opt for 1 xr30 gen 5 pro and be done.
Mulitple 16's would also work.
2 xr15's would also be an option.
My frag and nano stick cube.
20220403_161808.jpg
20220424_155611.jpg

Things clearly look happy under your lights. I loved the halides, but I'm not willing to install a canopy or have giant reflectors above this tank. There doesn't seem to be many good looking MH fixtures left on the market.

Someone else mentioned 1 xr30 to me, but I'm suspect that it could cover the whole 36x20 footprint adequately. I've never had one though, so maybe I'm wrong? Seems to me 2 xr15's would be more versatile. The Sky and Straton seem like they'd cover the footprint but I'm concerned they would lack shimmer. The T5/Kessil combo seems like it would give nice shimmer while also covering the footprint but I don't see many serious acro tanks with Kessils. Lackluster PAR maybe? I like the idea of the Mitras, but again it may not cover the footprint.

Appreciate the input!
 

rtparty

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
4,667
Reaction score
8,024
Location
Utah
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
My current 120 is 2*250w halides and 2 Blue Plus T5s. My new 250g will be 3*250w halides and 2 XHO bars from ReedBrite.

I'll eventually go back to LEDs but it won't be for 5-7 years at a minimum. Not one out there looks as good as halides to me and I've seen almost every one of them in person or run them.
 

rtparty

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
4,667
Reaction score
8,024
Location
Utah
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
For 36*20 you will absolutely need 2 XR15s at a minimum.

I ran 2 XR15s on my 120 and couldn't even get 200 PAR at the top of my rocks. SPS never did well
 

xyzner

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 23, 2016
Messages
59
Reaction score
45
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’m basically setting up the same tank as you and going to jump into the led world for the first time. The 36” length is tricky it seems. I want the Straton but I’m afraid 1 won’t cut it and 2 won’t fit. Might wait on the Straton Pros…
 
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My current 120 is 2*250w halides and 2 Blue Plus T5s. My new 250g will be 3*250w halides and 2 XHO bars from ReedBrite.

I'll eventually go back to LEDs but it won't be for 5-7 years at a minimum. Not one out there looks as good as halides to me and I've seen almost every one of them in person or run them.

Have you tried any T5/LED combos? I'm wondering if that would give me what I'm looking for. Full spectrum T5's with the shimmer and controlability from the LED's.

Or maybe I just need to hunt for an old Giesemann Infinity MH/T5 fixture.

I’m basically setting up the same tank as you and going to jump into the led world for the first time. The 36” length is tricky it seems. I want the Straton but I’m afraid 1 won’t cut it and 2 won’t fit. Might wait on the Straton Pros…

Yeah, 36" seems to be a weird in between zone. Too big for most single LED fixtures, too small for two.
 

bobnicaragua

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
905
Reaction score
913
Location
Dallas, TX
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’ve run 4 t5 and kessils in a canopy on a 3 foot tank with good results. You would be fine with a 20 inch deep tank if that’s the route you want to take.
 

thatmanMIKEson

Reefing ain't easy$
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Messages
4,974
Reaction score
5,004
Location
florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Long time halide user here.
My 36x24x12 frag system is lit by 3-16hds. My nano cube runs 2 16hds. The color of my coral has increased from the 1 250watt 14k phoenix.
I just got my 80g up and will be running 2 xr15 gen5 pro. The 30g remote fuge will be lit by a 16hd.
The 80 will go where my 120 was.

So from a halide user to leds who will never go back. Leds can grow anything with amazing color today.

On your tank I would opt for 1 xr30 gen 5 pro and be done.
Mulitple 16's would also work.
2 xr15's would also be an option.
My frag and nano stick cube.
20220403_161808.jpg
20220424_155611.jpg
Good information there, write that down!
 

Big E

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
2,250
Reaction score
3,624
Location
Willoughby, OH
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
If you're going to go from a full coverage bright look you get from T5s you're going to sorely disappointed in using one XR30. There will be harsh shadows. The coverage is way overly stated. At best 15x18" is the coverage.

If you want shimmer then I would suggest using a hybrid setup with T5 or LED bars and you still need more than one LED unit regardless of brand.
 

Dburr1014

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
8,181
Reaction score
8,128
Location
CT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Things clearly look happy under your lights. I loved the halides, but I'm not willing to install a canopy or have giant reflectors above this tank. There doesn't seem to be many good looking MH fixtures left on the market.

Someone else mentioned 1 xr30 to me, but I'm suspect that it could cover the whole 36x20 footprint adequately. I've never had one though, so maybe I'm wrong? Seems to me 2 xr15's would be more versatile. The Sky and Straton seem like they'd cover the footprint but I'm concerned they would lack shimmer. The T5/Kessil combo seems like it would give nice shimmer while also covering the footprint but I don't see many serious acro tanks with Kessils. Lackluster PAR maybe? I like the idea of the Mitras, but again it may not cover the footprint.

Appreciate the input!
This is sleek.
I was a MH user and made the switch 8 years ago. Very happy with my lights. I just upgraded to pro which makes the sunrise/sunset seemless. Easy programming on my phone. I'm only 80% on my blues and 40% on my whites.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20220426-064042_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20220426-064042_Chrome.jpg
    67.6 KB · Views: 33
  • 20220412_174719.jpg
    20220412_174719.jpg
    194.9 KB · Views: 26
  • 20220412_174837.jpg
    20220412_174837.jpg
    161.1 KB · Views: 29

LeftyReefer

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
2,535
Reaction score
2,821
Location
Saginaw
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
if you just want to add some shimmer, Smat Farm LED's are inexpensive ($140 ea) and add great shimmer.
You could add a pair to your hybrid setup for under $300.
Would be able to ramp them up/down and add shimmer to your tank.

I run a pair of them, along with a 470nm led bar over a 36" tank. (will be adding a second LED bar eventually)

i have the Smat Farm lights ramp up/down and have the LED bar come on only during peak intensity hours.
 
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If you're going to go from a full coverage bright look you get from T5s you're going to sorely disappointed in using one XR30. There will be harsh shadows. The coverage is way overly stated. At best 15x18" is the coverage.

If you want shimmer then I would suggest using a hybrid setup with T5 or LED bars and you still need more than one LED unit regardless of brand.

Thanks! I had no real intention of a single xr30.

Sounds like a hybrid T5/LED setup may be my best bet. The Aquatic Life setup may work for me, 4 T5's and I could use two kessils, xr15's, or AI 16's. That would hopefully give me a bit of shimmer without going full swimming pool.
 

X-37B

Fight the Good Fight
View Badges
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
9,011
Reaction score
15,634
Location
Outer Limits
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I will never run t5 again after running the or3 light bars.
1 bar is equal to 2 t5's.
I ran then to supplement blue on my 120 with halides.
4-6 24" bars over your tank would work.
I startedy 120 with 6 then 8 T5 and it grew everything well but the fixture is bulky and so was my halide system.
 
Last edited:

rtparty

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
4,667
Reaction score
8,024
Location
Utah
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Have you tried any T5/LED combos? I'm wondering if that would give me what I'm looking for. Full spectrum T5's with the shimmer and controlability from the LED's.

Or maybe I just need to hunt for an old Giesemann Infinity MH/T5 fixture.



Yeah, 36" seems to be a weird in between zone. Too big for most single LED fixtures, too small for two.

Ran the Aquatic Life hybrid with Kessil, Radion, and Mitras. I'd rather have XHO bars over T5s these days
 

thatmanMIKEson

Reefing ain't easy$
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Messages
4,974
Reaction score
5,004
Location
florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If you're going to go from a full coverage bright look you get from T5s you're going to sorely disappointed in using one XR30. There will be harsh shadows. The coverage is way overly stated. At best 15x18" is the coverage.

If you want shimmer then I would suggest using a hybrid setup with T5 or LED bars and you still need more than one LED unit regardless of brand.
Agree!
 

thatmanMIKEson

Reefing ain't easy$
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2021
Messages
4,974
Reaction score
5,004
Location
florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thanks! I had no real intention of a single xr30.

Sounds like a hybrid T5/LED setup may be my best bet. The Aquatic Life setup may work for me, 4 T5's and I could use two kessils, xr15's, or AI 16's. That would hopefully give me a bit of shimmer without going full swimming pool.
Thats what I run on my 120, great set up IMO. Until t5 is out of the picture
 

neonreef3d

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 3, 2021
Messages
850
Reaction score
817
Location
Los Angeles
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
mounted 3 XR15 G5 radions on my 100gallon, but its not enough for a SPS tank, so Ill be changing the RMS rail to 8020 rail to mount the Quanta pro LED strips on the front and back using the mounting system I designed for @minus9 on his custom 3x3 90 gallon cube tank.
'
IMG_0049.JPG
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 58 49.6%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 64 54.7%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 28 23.9%
  • None.

    Votes: 28 23.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 7.7%
Back
Top