What kind of lighting?

ndrwater

ndrwater

Member
#1
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
1,877
Likes
74
Points
48
Location
Anaheim
#1
So.... Been kicking around the idea of changing up my lighting. Currently I have (3) 20k 250w Halide suplimented with T5 actinics. I like the look I get, not too blue, not to yellow/white.
My main reason for swapping would be money. Meaning the cost of running the Halides and necessary chiller are slowly destroying what little soul I have left..
Knowing that my tank is relatively large (240 gallon) and that I have an SPS dominated tank, I know this won't necessarily be an inexpensive swap, but don't want to spend all the money in the world either.
I wanted to get feedback from you all here. There are some amazing reefers here with truly spectacular tanks showing great color and growth. I figure SOMEBODY has to have an opinion and reasoning behind their setup.
My options that I have narrowed my search to are as follows:

Radions suplimented with T5 (T5 colors TBD)
Straight Radions
Stright T5 ( something like the ATI fixtures)
T5 suplimented by something like a Reefbrite fixture

I really like the shimmer I have w/ Halide and I kinda hate a glowing tank w/ just fluorescent. Kinda why I was thinking of doing a combo.

Thoughts, suggestions, casserole recipes, let's hear em.

Please though, have some explanation for your suggestion and why.

Thanks in advance....
 
LAreefguy

LAreefguy

Member
#2
Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
3,928
Likes
101
Points
48
Location
Los Angeles
#2
You know how I feel:) that being said who ever gets your lighting will be getting a steal. They can grow the world! Goodluck bud.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ndrwater

ndrwater

Member
#3
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
1,877
Likes
74
Points
48
Location
Anaheim
#3
LAreefguy said:
You know how I feel:) that being said who ever gets your lighting will be getting a steal. They can grow the world! Goodluck bud.

Thanks Adam. So... How you liking those Radions? Colors on SPS still good? Still sorting out your color spectrum? And... Are you supplementing to Radions in any way? Was talking to Kyle yesterday, and he was suggesting Radions/T5. Kinda like to know your thoughts since we have similar setups.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Thanks Adam. So... How you liking those Radions? Colors on SPS still good? Still sorting out your color spectrum? And... Are you supplementing to Radions in any way? Was talking to Kyle yesterday, and he was suggesting Radions/T5. Kinda like to know your thoughts since we have similar setups.
 
LAreefguy

LAreefguy

Member
#6
Joined
Dec 23, 2013
Messages
3,928
Likes
101
Points
48
Location
Los Angeles
#6
ndrwater said:
Thanks Adam. So... How you liking those Radions? Colors on SPS still good? Still sorting out your color spectrum? And... Are you supplementing to Radions in any way? Was talking to Kyle yesterday, and he was suggesting Radions/T5. Kinda like to know your thoughts since we have similar setups.
Click to expand...
People love to run t5 with led. Of corse it makes a difference. That being said im have good growth with Lps and sps. My SPS is really only Monti but the color is great my energy bill is down my house is cooler. I'm very happy with what I have. If suggest starting with radions when your ready and just see if you need t5. I wonder the pair of leds and t5s how much less that will be than your halide electric usage wise. In terms of colour and control I have the wxm module and that takes it to a whole other level, absolutely phenomenal. I only run my radions at 47 percent!!!! That's how strong they are, here a shot!
if you ever my way stop by check them out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
G

Goober

Member
#7
Joined
Jan 22, 2013
Messages
1,308
Likes
43
Points
38
Location
Moreno Valley
#7
The best growth and color I ever had was running leds with t5 suppliments. Ran the leds dust till dawn mode for about 10 hours a day and t5 for "peak" times which was from about 10am to around 2pm. The color and growth that I did have were great. The shimmer you get from the leds is also comparable to mh unless your t5s are on and drown out the shimmer. The electricity bill was cut more than 1/2 since the chiller didn't need using. This is what worked for me in the past and I'm working on that setup again for my new setup when I have the time. I'll post and update my diy thread when I have the chance
 
Emac909

Emac909

Member
#15
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
8,521
Likes
2,466
Points
83
Location
Perris 92571
My Tank Build
#15
ndrwater said:
Saw this earlier, but I don't think it's big enough. My tank is 96" long. Probably end up with 4 Radions to get the coverage I need. Awesome DIY fixture though.
Click to expand...
I don't thing 4 radions will b enough. Yea it will work but to get great coverage your going to want to get 5. I know cause my tank is 96"X30"
 
ndrwater

ndrwater

Member
#16
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
1,877
Likes
74
Points
48
Location
Anaheim
#16
Emac909 said:
I don't thing 4 radions will b enough. Yea it will work but to get great coverage your going to want to get 5. I know cause my tank is 96"X30"
Click to expand...
Thanks for adding even more zeros to my already potentially spendy upgrade Eric... ;-) You may be right though. My question regarding your setup is this, are the outside 2 Radions andgled to limit the light overspill into the room? Or "just because". As it is with my Halides, you can probably see my house from space with all the light I have going on...
 
C

Codeblue48

New member
#17
Joined
Jan 1, 2014
Messages
26
Likes
0
Points
1
Location
Burbank
#17
I also switched back to T5 after trying high end LED's twice. I love me some T5! But...a hybrid T5/LED fixture would be awesome too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top