Paratore Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So I'm starting to plan my build super far in advance (about 5 months) to make sure I get everything perfect! I'm going to be picking up a 45 JBJ this next week. And they start collecting equipment. I am not sure what light I want to run above it yet and need some input! I'm very tempted to spend a little extra and buy a nice controllable LED, but I've also had good success with my OR T-247s. I plan for it to be a mixed reef with my focus more on anemones, LPS, and zoas. A few sticks here and there but not a lot. The tank is 26.5 x 21 x 19. With all that being said, what light would you recommend?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Go to Golden Basket and check out Rudy's Rapid LED Onyx fixtures. Awesome color! Those will be my next lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I will have two AI sol's and two AI hydra 52 available for sale next week. They have barely been used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Ati 24" 4 bulb! Can't go wrong with t5's! sent from a Samsung note 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks for all the input guys! Looks like I've got more research to do lol! Keep the ideas coming, and if you have had good or bad experience feel free to mention that also Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbeyer80 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I just picked up a ReefCorner CR120D and so far am really impressed. They are locally made and has other models depending on your tank size. I think upscales carries them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowderBlue Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 2 ai primes, far more color control ability with them than the artics. If I could do it all over again I'd go with T5s again Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vis Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I'm in love with my new nano box . They are made in North Carolina by Dave who makes each one by hand. Great light! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHash-fish20 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 You won't be able to beat the color and growth with an ATI sunpower. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowen1022 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Almost all of the nano box tanks I've seen are great and I've heard wonderful things about Dave and his customer service. But t5 are always reliable if you're wanting to change out bulbs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHash-fish20 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I agree with Bowen tho.. I wanted a nano box BADDD before I got my prime which I'm beyond satisfied with. Nanoboxs are great LEDs and the ability to customize the casing is pretty sweet IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHash-fish20 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 And Dave responds with a quickness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Hmmmmm so many choices.... T5 or LED. Never had T5s before. The primes do look super nice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 If I did go the T5 route, would it keep an anemone alive and happy? Also are there any other decent fixtures other than ATI? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHash-fish20 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 TEK lights if your lucky enough to find them. I believe t5 is the best lighting besides MH.. Do you know if you wanna keep sps? If not an LED is always a good route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 I will keep a little bit of SPS, just some of my favorite. Not a lot though. Mostly gonna do LPS and zoas! I do love me LEDs, that's all I've ever used! I'm almost leaning more that way for this build. But still not 100% sure yet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I have a 6 bulb T5 fixture and it supports my 3 anemones. I am also growing SPS on the sand, which is 24" down. I have not had good luck with Ocean Revive fixtures myself so I would steer away from there IME. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 I have a 6 bulb T5 fixture and it supports my 3 anemones. I am also growing SPS on the sand, which is 24" down. I have not had good luck with Ocean Revive fixtures myself so I would steer away from there IME. what T5 fixture are you using? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Atis in my opinion are the best t5 lights. They have great reflectors which give you excellent par. I got incredible growth of my sps when we had an ati. Isaac aka Mandinga has my old light. I'm going back to them. Not all t5s are equal the powermodule is the best but has the nice price tag but comes with leds too. I am going to get an ati sunpower for my next setup and those are a little cheaper. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Good thread, there are almost a ridiculous number of choices now. I will throw one in the mix for your research. sbreeflights I bought the retro kit and popped a board into one of my old d120s. The color is good, coral still seems happy. I haven't seen amazing or terrible results. Read more here on why they think their lights are great: https://sbreeflights.com/content/7-faq 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 what T5 fixture are you using? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ATI 6 bulb Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Good thread, there are almost a ridiculous number of choices now. I will throw one in the mix for your research. sbreeflights I bought the retro kit and popped a board into one of my old d120s. The color is good, coral still seems happy. I haven't seen amazing or terrible results. Read more here on why they think their lights are great: https://sbreeflights.com/content/7-faq I was actually just looking at those the other day! I have an old reef star that is going bad and have been thinking of buying the upgrade for "black boxes". I am pretty temped to upgrade the reef star and run that over the new tank. Not to bad for a $70 upgrade. How long have you been running the SB light? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Go to Golden Basket and check out Rudy's Rapid LED Onyx fixtures. Awesome color! Those will be my next lights. Interesting! Thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Interesting! Thanks for the tip! Here it is. Not too expensive, and Golden Basket's corals look just as nice as their Ebay pictures under these lights. http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-onyx-by-rapid-led/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsransom Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 If I did go the T5 route, would it keep an anemone alive and happy? Also are there any other decent fixtures other than ATI? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have been using the Aquatic LIfe 4 bulb T5 on my 20 long the past 3 years. It is this model: http://www.aquaticlife.com/light-fixtures/four-lamp-t5-ho I use ATI bulbs in it (2 blue+ and 2 coral+). Everything has grown very well under it. I have 3 RBTA's basking in it right now (all split from the one RBTA that I first got 2 years ago). It does not have the individual reflectors, they are curved for each bulb using a single reflector. To be honest the par is a little too much for this shallow of a tank but 19" would be perfect. Right now I have to put my torch corals on the bottom and to the very edges of the tank because it is too much but the SPS are in the middle and love it. I am planning a 30x30x12 tank over the next few months and thinking of going Kessil 360we. I really like the shimmer but I understand growth will not be the best but I am OK with that. The aquatic life 4 bulb should be cheap to get a hold of (I know they were blowing them out on their website last month for ~ $150). Obviously with T5 you have to replace the bulbs every year so that is around $80 per year. If you want hit me up in 5 months time and if I am not using mine maybe we can work out a trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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