Decisions, decisions!

saltyVT · 02/23/2018, 12:26 PM

So looking for opinions on lighting for my 65 gallon (36”L-24”H). I’ll be starting off with softies and LPS but might go SPS down the road. Like to keep it around $900.

I’m looking at all options so for LED, two Nano Box Dual plus M. I like the wireless features, seem to have really good reviews, energy efficient, sleek design. One problem I foresee is the depth of my tank might be too too much.

Also looking at two Radium X15w G4 Pro. Same reasons as above unit.

ATI 6x39 T-5. I have a soft spot for T-5’s. This unit has dimmable capability, I can mess with different bulbs for color and growth. This might be a little under powered for sps and the cost of bulb replacment.

Combo of 2x 175 or 250 MH and 4x 39 HO T-5’s. Plenty of power, great look from the MH, I’d be able to keep almost anything(I think). Cost of running, heat off put, cost of bulb replacement.

Any opinions are welcome!

LQT · 02/23/2018, 12:44 PM

I love Nanobox fixtures, I have one for my Biocube 29. That said, because they have no lenses, par levels will suffer at a 24” depth.

For the 36x18x24 dimensions, two XR15 pros or a single AP700 would serve you well for a mixed reef.

I recently sold my AP700 and picked up a 6x39 Sunpower for my 36x18x20 build as I plan to do an all acropora tank. I might add a Reefbrite Blue XHO strip to it down the road.

E.intheC · 02/24/2018, 07:43 AM

My vote is T5; the Sunpower will be more than enough for SPS. LEDs seem to be taking over, but (for me) T5s are the way to go, especially on an SPS tank w/ rectangular dimensions.

grigsy · 02/25/2018, 06:27 PM

My personal favorite is Metal Halide or a combo of MH + T5.

Both are great choices for color, coral growth and the natural look it gives the tank.

Plus you wont have to deal with any disco effect.

With the right bulbs you will be able to keep anything, including SPS.

saltyVT · 02/27/2018, 08:53 PM

Any thought the 6x39 would be too much light? I did buy the dimmable one, I can’t find too many complaint about the ballasts going on anything after 2017. Not sure if I should return it for a non dimmable in possibly the 6x24

LQT · 02/27/2018, 09:05 PM

Stay with the 36” fixture. You don’t want dark corners in your tank. As far as dimmable vs non dimmable, make sure you burn in your bulbs for 50 hours before dimming them. If you don’t want to dim them, just run the fixture at 100%. Great choice for lights... you will be able to grow anything without limitation!

saltyVT · 03/03/2018, 07:10 PM

Can’t win! New light came in Friday and after getting the hangers in place I unwrapped the unit an found the reflectors all banged up and dented! And of course I have to wait till Monday to get answers from Marine Depot. Fml

LQT · 03/03/2018, 09:20 PM

Ugh, that’s annoying!

I’m confident that Marine Depot will take care of you though.

02/23/2018, 12:26 PM	#1
saltyVT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dubsnorth Country, Vermont Posts: 188	Decisions, decisions! So looking for opinions on lighting for my 65 gallon (36”L-24”H). I’ll be starting off with softies and LPS but might go SPS down the road. Like to keep it around $900. I’m looking at all options so for LED, two Nano Box Dual plus M. I like the wireless features, seem to have really good reviews, energy efficient, sleek design. One problem I foresee is the depth of my tank might be too too much. Also looking at two Radium X15w G4 Pro. Same reasons as above unit. ATI 6x39 T-5. I have a soft spot for T-5’s. This unit has dimmable capability, I can mess with different bulbs for color and growth. This might be a little under powered for sps and the cost of bulb replacment. Combo of 2x 175 or 250 MH and 4x 39 HO T-5’s. Plenty of power, great look from the MH, I’d be able to keep almost anything(I think). Cost of running, heat off put, cost of bulb replacement. Any opinions are welcome! __________________ “your thread is only worth the amount of pictures you post” - Me Current Tank Info: 2.5G T-5 reef tank(RIP), 8G MH nano reef(RIP), 20L Reef(RIP) 40 Breeder(RIP) 30IM and 20L

02/23/2018, 12:44 PM	#2
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	I love Nanobox fixtures, I have one for my Biocube 29. That said, because they have no lenses, par levels will suffer at a 24” depth. For the 36x18x24 dimensions, two XR15 pros or a single AP700 would serve you well for a mixed reef. I recently sold my AP700 and picked up a 6x39 Sunpower for my 36x18x20 build as I plan to do an all acropora tank. I might add a Reefbrite Blue XHO strip to it down the road. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

02/24/2018, 07:43 AM	#3
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	My vote is T5; the Sunpower will be more than enough for SPS. LEDs seem to be taking over, but (for me) T5s are the way to go, especially on an SPS tank w/ rectangular dimensions. __________________ -Eric

02/27/2018, 08:53 PM	#5
saltyVT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dubsnorth Country, Vermont Posts: 188	Any thought the 6x39 would be too much light? I did buy the dimmable one, I can’t find too many complaint about the ballasts going on anything after 2017. Not sure if I should return it for a non dimmable in possibly the 6x24 __________________ “your thread is only worth the amount of pictures you post” - Me Current Tank Info: 2.5G T-5 reef tank(RIP), 8G MH nano reef(RIP), 20L Reef(RIP) 40 Breeder(RIP) 30IM and 20L

02/27/2018, 09:05 PM	#6
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Stay with the 36” fixture. You don’t want dark corners in your tank. As far as dimmable vs non dimmable, make sure you burn in your bulbs for 50 hours before dimming them. If you don’t want to dim them, just run the fixture at 100%. Great choice for lights... you will be able to grow anything without limitation! __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

02/25/2018, 06:27 PM	#4
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	My personal favorite is Metal Halide or a combo of MH + T5. Both are great choices for color, coral growth and the natural look it gives the tank. Plus you wont have to deal with any disco effect. With the right bulbs you will be able to keep anything, including SPS.

03/03/2018, 07:10 PM	#7
saltyVT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dubsnorth Country, Vermont Posts: 188	Can’t win! New light came in Friday and after getting the hangers in place I unwrapped the unit an found the reflectors all banged up and dented! And of course I have to wait till Monday to get answers from Marine Depot. Fml __________________ “your thread is only worth the amount of pictures you post” - Me Current Tank Info: 2.5G T-5 reef tank(RIP), 8G MH nano reef(RIP), 20L Reef(RIP) 40 Breeder(RIP) 30IM and 20L

03/03/2018, 09:20 PM	#8
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	Ugh, that’s annoying! I’m confident that Marine Depot will take care of you though. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge