jesterisdead Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Ok, with my mixed tank of SPS and LFS, i'm learning which ones like to be high and which ones like to be low. I was told that my marineland light while pretty and all wont help my coral grow, and thrive, and take over my tank. So, if I need a light for a 55G mixed reef can I get some suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatO Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Depends what you want. Led, t5 and halide. A mix? All one kind? What is the budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefNewby82 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Agreed...also what kinds of coral do you plan on keeping long term? How much do you want your electricity to increase haha? How much do you want to spend on bulb replacement? LED's last up to 8 to 10 years without being replaced and put out less heat, and cost less to run, and can potentially bring out more color in coral, but are more expensive up front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I'd like the LED just due to the life and power of really beaming waves directly. I'm truley not sure about the rest as I'm not verse and have been reading but it seems like most of it is like Nike, Rebok, Addidas, etc. Everyone has an opinion and belives theres is right so what I'm looking for is something from my hommies here about what they have and why. Budget again depends as if I spend $1000 on livestock and watch it die because I went cheap on a light (like I did a heater) then my budget is no limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I have a couple of these: http://apolloreefled.com/shop/solarblast-dimable/ Need a controller to dim the channels or can use one of these control modules: http://apolloreefled.com/shop/apollo-reef-led-dimming-controller/ Shane had three of these over his tank the other night FYI. PM me if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 PM'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 I picked up two Reef Breeders LED recently in a group buy for when I get my 125. You could light your entire 55 with one of their 32" fixtures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopper320 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Yeah I have 1 reef breeders fixture and another on the way. I really like them and you can't beat the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Dustin's setup would be my vote.... Plenty to grow anything you want with and more than enough if you decide to upgrade. Two of these fixtures would cover a 4 or 5' tank with ease, no matter the depth or width. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Ok. Ext question. I was getting a lot of evaporation so I placed a lid on my tank. Should I have an open top to allow light to better penetrate? Light refraction I'm sure occurs with white light but not sure about LED light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 If you are keeping your lids clean, there shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 If you are keeping your lids clean, there shouldn't be a problem. +1 You might see a small percentage of loss but it should not be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Ok great. I clean them about once a week of salt and debris from feeding and tank care. It also keeps the fish in the tank and the cats out! hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 I have a diy led system and love it. If you are a diy'er will save alot of money compared to purchasing an led unit from a manufacturer. Options are endless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Really no time for DIY. What time I do have is taken with kids and such. If they would just move out I'd have more room and more money for more tank stuff! hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogum99 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 if you went soderless I'm sure you could slap it together fairly quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdebord Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Ok. Ext question. I was getting a lot of evaporation so I placed a lid on my tank. Should I have an open top to allow light to better penetrate? Light refraction I'm sure occurs with white light but not sure about LED light. A tight fitting lid to reduce evaporation will tend to reduce pH and overall gas exchange. I'm not a big fan of them. An open top will improve light and gas exchange/penetration. Evaporation isn't a bad thing if keeping SPS and evaporation drives Kalkwasser introduction. JMTC & GL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Is it bad to refer INDMAS to INDMAS? This seems like a tough deal to beat at $150. http://indmas.org/main/index.php?/topic/11047-leds/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Is it bad to refer INDMAS to INDMAS? This seems like a tough deal to beat at $150. http://indmas.org/main/index.php?/topic/11047-leds/ I must not have seen that post, That doesn't like a bad deal, especially with a 3yr. warranty. I still like Dustin's Apollos but, I am a little Partial as it is what I have on my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 I must not have seen that post, That doesn't like a bad deal, especially with a 3yr. warranty. I still like Dustin's Apollos but, I am a little Partial as it is what I have on my tank. TBH, I don't think the binning is great on those and they don't list the LED brand. I'd be hesitant on whether they are consistent BINs or not. That's just my opinion but I've researched LEDs a lot too so I make the right investments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Yeah, I have always been one that you get what you pay for but, some of the makers are just ridiculously outrageous on their prices. I would be leery about these lights but they are an option for a person on a budget as well as the reef breeder lights. I went with the Apollo's for the cost as when I was setting up my tank the Atlantik's were not released and for cost to benefit, I thought they where the best option. I am still considering the Atlantik's but am concerned with the bracing on my tank interfering and needing three units witch will definitely push them beyond any budget that I will have. I am getting about a 1/4" or a little better of growth on my SPS, monthly. But think my colors are a little off on some I have seen under a 14k halide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Well thanks to Dustin and Premium, and my taking a credit card out of retirement, I have a set of lights and an Apex Pro to install this weekend. None to soon as the power supply on my Marineland reef ready is acting up and needs replaced. Now I just need to figure out how to mount them. I'd like a tank mount kit but the cost is silly and I hope the wife doesn't mind me drilling in the ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I had mine built by a machine shop over by premium for $100 and sure for your tank it would be less (smaller). I took a scetch with measurement and they done the rest.Took them a few day so, i bought a 2 x 6 and built a temp one for about $8. If you are interested in their name and number, let me know. I know it doesn't look the best but, I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesterisdead Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Dustin, in reviewing your post on RC on the lights I'm curious as to overlap. If I set these lights up long way and with a 48" end to end tank, I'm sure I will have an overlap in the center of the tank. Does the controller allow for reduction of the lamps in the left and right side to lesson intensity of the wavelength due to overlap? Or does it matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 There will be no adjustment for left to right with the controller, it is all or nothing. I don't think the overlap will be enough to be concerned, just try to put your more light demanding corals in this area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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