What did you end up with, if you don't mind me asking?
Ended up with 4 ATI Stratons and I love them, I actually never look at the lighting and say I wish I could change them or I need more.
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What did you end up with, if you don't mind me asking?
I have your entire initial list except I have ATO in the first phase and wavemaker closer to when I would add corals. I've read fish don't need super strong flow but I learn and unlearn things every day so I'm open to other experiences.I say start by determining the essentials. A LOT of the equipment out there is nice to have, but NOT essential to have a successful reef tank. Think quality Water (RODI system, reliable test kits, etc.), flow (this is also needed for fish health), surface area for beneficial bacteria (minimalist, sand or bare bottom, etc.).
My list of essentials would be (in no particular order):
1. RODI system
2. test kits
3. Wave makers
4. Lights
5. Rocks and Substrate - this may include Marinepure or Brightwell XPort bricks in the sump
6. Patience
Meet these essential and you can have a successful reef. Down the road you can add things like an ATO, Skimmer, reactors, UV sterilizers, etc. I would also say, purchase with the end goal in mind, i.e. you need flow in the tank so don't buy some cheap powerhead to provide flow for the fish when you are planning to add SPS in the future.
I have been one of those people that seem to always go the cheap route, and although fairly new to corals I think I've been relatively successful with my ViparSpectra leds. So when someone says that they saw a big difference by swapping to high end lights it makes me wonder if I would see a big difference in my tank. The problem is I worry that I'm going to spend $1,200 to upgrade and then not see a noticeable difference. There should be a test loaner program for high end equipment for us cheapskates, lol.I initial bought cheap black box LEDs off of ebay that gave me major algae issues
While I have never used the likes of Radion or Orphek lights, I can say that there was a significant difference going from my Black Box light to AI Hydra's. My corals and Nems responded very well, colors were better, less dicoball (all but none with diffusers). All around improvement. If I was to do it again, I might consider something with control options, like Kessil or Red Sea ReefLED.I have been one of those people that seem to always go the cheap route, and although fairly new to corals I think I've been relatively successful with my ViparSpectra leds. So when someone says that they saw a big difference by swapping to high end lights it makes me wonder if I would see a big difference in my tank. The problem is I worry that I'm going to spend $1,200 to upgrade and then not see a noticeable difference. There should be a test loaner program for high end equipment for us cheapskates, lol.
You are better off not listening to people who claim LED types grow more algae than others. Claiming black boxes grow algae because they are made with Chinese LEDs is pretty ridiculous. Anybody making claims like this likely can't find china on a map.I have been one of those people that seem to always go the cheap route, and although fairly new to corals I think I've been relatively successful with my ViparSpectra leds. So when someone says that they saw a big difference by swapping to high end lights it makes me wonder if I would see a big difference in my tank. The problem is I worry that I'm going to spend $1,200 to upgrade and then not see a noticeable difference. There should be a test loaner program for high end equipment for us cheapskates, lol.
I don't know about the algea but I do suspect that certain lights will have wavelengths of light that corals prefer causing better growth and coloration. I've had success with my ViparSpectra lights so I am probably not going to upgrade anytime soon. When and if I do it'll just be buying one light here or there slowly not all at once.You are better off not listening to people who claim LED types grow more algae than others. Claiming black boxes grow algae because they are made with Chinese LEDs is pretty ridiculous.
I'm surprised by that. I've never ordered from them but from what I've seen on here from other users I thought they were one of the more respected companies for corals.i regret buying my corals from uniquecorals.com
Also what were you're issues with the radions and reefbrites?I can tell you that I have wasted more money on buying cheaper items that either has not met my expectations or just broke. When I did my tank upgrade in May I saved to where I could afford what was best.
Biggest loss I’ve taken is lighting-
5 G4 XR15’s
4 G5 XR15’s
5 ReeFi’s duo extremes
5 G5 XR30 blues
2 Orphek bars
2 Reefbrite bars
AI primes
48” T5
and now I’ve settled on 4 different lights than all of those and couldn’t be happier. I took a hit on selling them just to finally find the lights I always wanted and met my expectations
Radions I was an early adopter and would have the lights come on in the middle of the night, or full blast, fan noise I found to be unacceptable, and again mobius with having 11 devices connected the pumps and lights would get an unsupported error.Also what were you're issues with the radions and reefbrites?
Again, if you don't mind.
And me too!I regret buying a Paxbellum. Intensity and heat fried the Chaeto every time. I tried turning down the hours and increasing flow but neither of those worked
Without getting into too much detail in this thread. I put have a water valve with a timer on my RODI system. In short, once a day or so I glance at my ATO bucket and hit the appropriate button (15 minutes or 30 minutes or 2 hours or whatever it needs). It turns on the water to the RODI system and after the set amount of time it closes the valve. As long as I make sure to be conservative with the time (ie could use an 'hour' of water..so I'll set it for 15 or 30 minutes) I haven't had any issues.I can not stress the importance of float valves with the rodi unit.
My current tank is 150 gallon but now i wish i had gotten a 200 i dont regeet anything. But you have good thinking here, in a 200 i think you could have most of the popular tangsI’m first and current is a 55 gallon display. I am looking at between 150-200 for the next. For fish selection reasons. I want a blue tang so looking like a 200 gallon.
Amen brother it took me five tries to find the light that works thank god i was useing amazon so i could return them and get a different oneI regret going cheap on my initial equipment. Everybody wants to aim for best value, and I get that, but for example, I initial bought cheap black box LEDs off of ebay that gave me major algae issues, and later I upgraded to radions. I could've saved myself the money on the black boxes AND all the headache of the algae issues if I'd bought quality lighting to start with. So, I'd say buy based on research to start with and avoid buying with an intent to "replace later" whenever possible.