Upgrading RSM 500 to LEDs

[markguida47]

Upgrading RSM 500 to LEDs.
Looking for opinions...

Tank has been restarted after 3 years since moving. Filled, cycled and starting to be populated with fish. Planning to build DIY open-top canopy to hide lighting. Wanting to use 2-Kessil A360Xs initially and wanting to have some supplemental lighting as well. I thought about using the Aquatic Life Hybrid but, would rather stay with all LED (no bulb replacements). So now for the question.
Should I supplement the 2-Kessils with Reef Brite XHOs (blue or 50/50 and how many) or is that a bit overkill and something like the Reef Brite Lumilite or Tech series (blue or 50/50) would suffice to supplement the 2-Kessils?

Current tank inhabitance:
2-DaVinci Clowns, Royal Gramma, 2-Engineer Gobies, and a Swallowtail Angel. Planning to add a couple Banggai Cardinals, a Melaurus Wrasse and a Yellow Tang after biofilter builds a bit. Eventually a sandsifting goby of some sort.

Coral plan:
We like Acans, Duncans, Torches, Zoas, and similar, later a few pieces of SPS to fit in.

P.S. I thought about adding an Atlantic Blue Tang along with the Yellow Tang to round out the fish stock. Good idea or something else a better plan?

Picture is of cycled tank prior to adding any fish.

 

[GoVols]

Welcome back

Have run a lot of lighting options on my S-400 over the years, but the original canopy has always been my favorite. That thing is built like a tank, high quality while reducing light overspill to a bare min.

If you pull out your two T5 bulb section / the A360X's fit like a glove. Still can see the Kessil shimmer, but it's toned down by pushing two T5s. One T5 at the very front and one T5 burning at the very back.

On tall step stool

Had to go with four A360Xs to make an even led light spread with the lights just 4" above the waterline.

It will mute back the Kessil's shimmer like a nice sparkle. Shimmer twinkles on the scape, but not overbearing.

Just tossing that option on the table.

Good luck with making your final decision.

Edit:
Led bars, it would be these

OR3 Reef Aquarium LED Bar •Orphek

Orphek OR3 Reef Aquarium LED Bar, OR3 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 for Coral Pop Fluorescent Color Growth and Illumination – 5Watt Dual Chip LEDs

orphek.com

 

[markguida47]

What experience can you share on the OR3? Very little info I can find with such a new lighting option. Price is great! Amazon shows a UV version and I'm thinking about one each Blue Plus and the UV but, can't get much user info. Built a canopy for my RSM 500. Still have to prime and paint. Then come the lights.

 

[GoVols]

What experience can you share on the OR3? Very little info I can find with such a new lighting option. Price is great! Amazon shows a UV version and I'm thinking about one each Blue Plus and the UV but, can't get much user info. Built a canopy for my RSM 500. Still have to prime and paint. Then come the lights.

That is a wonderful canopy!!

Not sure if the OP really has the OR3 120 lenses, but here is a thread

Reefbrite XHO Blue VS Orphek OR3 Blue Plus - Pics and Par Results

Since BRS hasn’t covered this yet I did a quick output comparison between a Reefbrite XHO Blue (30”) and an Orphek OR3 Blue Plus (24”). Figured I’d share my results with the community. I’ve always been extremely happy with XHO output and spread, in fact I have them over every single reef tank...

www.reef2reef.com

Tip:
Go to search and type in OR3 Reefbrite

 

[markguida47]

Went with RB LEDs. BRS has their Black Friday sale which made the purchase a little easier. Knowing more about RB at this point helped with the decision. Hope its a long term decision that works.