I have been out of the reef game for about a year and will be building up my new tank after the holidays. I have found a used 65 gallon with overflow that I will be using. The system came with a 4 bulb T5 light fixture. But since I am trying to make this a pretty kick ass set up I was thinking about adding LED's. Problem is I know very little about the different systems. It seems that most of the Marineland, or Current brand systems seems lacking in performance, but easy on the pocket book. The AI systems seem reasonable until I add in the fact that I will need 2 fixtures(I think for a 36 in. tank) at $400/ea. I have already decided that I will be adding a Apex controller to this tank so the extra expense of the LED setup may mean it won't make the initial build. I plan on mostly LPS, softies, maybe a few of the simpler SPS's. I feel like the T5 setup would work for what I need, but I like the simplicity that the LED's offer. I found this more economy set up, but again I know very little about the spectrum set up, does this look passable? http://www.reefradiance.com/lumentek-pro-240.html Thanks in advance for help on this and a few other questions I will have regarding this new build.
That reef radiance fixture would work, or if cash is a real issue you could get 2- d120's for $100 cheaper on eBay. They just wouldn't have sunrise and sunset capability. Not sure why they would put orange in the spectrum. If you type in "full spectrum d120" you can find them for around $140 each. Don't get marineland, there a joke. Sent from uh......
I liked the fact that its just one fixture, and the sunrise/sunset feature sounds good. Question is, is their any benefit to the sunrise/sunset options or is that just a WOW factor/hype thing? Also what degree lense should I get, or is that going to make a difference? There site also says they are manufactured here in Arkansas, any idea as to where? Maybe a potential sponsor?
I don't know if anyone has done it, and I'm sure it voids the warranty... But on the more inexpensive units, in theory you should be able to remove the dimmer knob and hook it into an apex or some other controller and still be able to program the light. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
People do it, but it's more of an option if you already have a fixture and want to make it controllable ,if your starting fresh and that's an option you want, you'd be better off going ahead and buying the controllable unit IMO. The controllers are around $70 and there's always the chance of messing something up. I would get the highest degree lenses they have, probably 90 degree. Even then you may end up having to take the lenses off. I don't know of any real benefit of sunrise and sunset. I mean unless you count less cords and no bulky timers. Sent from uh......
