What is the best light for me?

[vcnt]

tank is 48 wide 18 depth 29 high, currently have 4 t5, but if i am to get an led, which one should i go for? probable mostly lps / softies and maybe sps

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-lighting-system.315433/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/selecting-a-led-fixture-by-steven-pro.69737/

 

[disaster999]

budget? With your tank being almost 30" tall, I would look for lights that can penetrate that depth and still be bright enough to keep whatever you keep at the bottom alive. If you are on a budget then noops k7 v3 would be a good option.

 

[vcnt]

budget? With your tank being almost 30" tall, I would look for lights that can penetrate that depth and still be bright enough to keep whatever you keep at the bottom alive. If you are on a budget then noops k7 v3 would be a good option.

Budget would probably be in the mid range, as i dont wanna get something cheap that will break but then also dont want to spend 1000 on a light

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

6x T5’s will do the trick

 

[vcnt]

6x T5’s will do the trick

Ive already got t5s, but i heard they will be phasing out due to lack of demand and the eu passing something about them

 

[Spare time]

Noopsyche and AI blades are good choices that won't cost an insane amount.

 

[vetteguy53081]

tank is 48 wide 18 depth 29 high, currently have 4 t5, but if i am to get an led, which one should i go for? probable mostly lps / softies and maybe sps

Three noopsyche K7 pro lights

Or

Three Orphek OR3-129 light strips *2 sky blue and one blue plus)

OR

three Ai Hydra 26 or 32hd

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Ive already got t5s, but i heard they will be phasing out due to lack of demand and the eu passing something about them

they’ll grow your corals like weeds. I’ve done it with an ATI fixture

 

[vcnt]

they’ll grow your corals like weeds. I’ve done it with an ATI fixture

this is mycurrent fixture, im gonna replace the bulbs b4 i get corals

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ive already got t5s, but i heard they will be phasing out due to lack of demand and the eu passing something about them

You heard wrong.

 

[minus9]

Quanta Helix bars for the win.

 

[PharmrJohn]

If you decide to stick with T5s, I wouldn't go lower than an 8x54W. But IMO, 29" is begging for a good LED set up.

 

[vcnt]

If you decide to stick with T5s, I wouldn't go lower than an 8x54W. But IMO, 29" is begging for a good LED set up.

Coild I be good with 4? The guy who sold me his setup said he had his tank running for many years running great and he had the 4 bulbs

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

ATI t5 is prob the best. But $$$$. You can also go t5 aquatic life with some kind of LED. mounted in center. Used to save money.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Ive already got t5s, but i heard they will be phasing out due to lack of demand and the eu passing something about them

Shhhh the secret is to purchase a few years worth of t5 bulbs to keep them going. Buy replacement ballast also.

 

[vcnt]

Shhhh the secret is to purchase a few years worth of t5 bulbs to keep them going. Buy replacement ballast also.

in the future i might get a t5 led hybrid fixture

 

[oreo54]

Budget would probably be in the mid range, as i dont wanna get something cheap that will break but then also dont want to spend 1000 on a light

As an idea of pricing..

2 100W Nicrews plus controller is $355 total from amazon.
Power (translated as directed par) meets or exceeds the ability of the 4 t5's.
You can debate spectrum, shading, shimmer, looks (dynamic vs static) and control, or lack of all you want.
Point is its not $1000...There are other lights in that range.

300watts $437.
4 50W plus controller $437.
Nice pucks to add to a hybrid.. ;)
Current 4 tube hybrid frame (no leds) is about $450

That t5 fixture looks sort of ancient or one with a single reflector and that brings up the quality of the reflectors and its ability to get light deep. Well t5s aren't really known for that anyways.
I could def. be wrong on my guess.

Sacrifice depth penetration for distribution.

Maintenance costs would be about $100/18 months (or less) and hoping no ballast fails. Though 4ft t5 ballasts aren't very expensive.
Light replacement would be cheaper if you stuck with the white/actinic as you have shown. 6500k bulbs (when you can find them) are cheaper than reef bulbs in general.

Nicrew discussion w/ some par data..
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nicrew-hyper-reef-led.753918/page-4

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Coild I be good with 4? The guy who sold me his setup said he had his tank running for many years running great and he had the 4 bulbs

EDIT- that t5 looks like it doesnt have individual reflectors. I would upgrade to a 4 foot aquatic life hybrid t5 and add 1-2 LED fixtures (2 AI Primes for example) if you want higher PAR at the bottom. You don’t need 8 bulbs of quality t5 if you go t5 only. 6 will do the trick on an 18” wide tank. All this can be found used if you are patient.

I would also suggest the following for a 4 foot long tank. This is an unbelievable deal:

https://aquacave.com/48-6x54w-ati-s...oZeiD6d-UUMOhBYD61t35y_KxR6_r6ThoCavQQAvD_BwE

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Coild I be good with 4? The guy who sold me his setup said he had his tank running for many years running great and he had the 4 bulbs

I'd go with this, assuming you'll have similar types of coral. Why fix what ain't broken?