LED for LPS, softy, and RBTA 180G reef

[dmatt56]

Hello Everyone,

I have a standard 180 gallon (6'x2'x2') LPS, softy, and RBTA reef tank. I'd like to switch from my T5 Nova Extreme Pro T5 fixture to an LED fixture. What do you all recommed for an appropiate LED lighting system? I have no plans to add SPS or clams.

Thanks,

Matt

[BigAl2007]

Matt since you indicate you're wanting (or have) an RBTA you will need high intensity lighting so don't skimp.... go ahead and get good lighting now and you'll be pleased long-term you did.

[dmatt56]

I agree. My question is more about which light fixture to choose and how many I would need to support my 6 foot tank.
Thx
Matt

[RAY in PA.]

I also have a 180 gal. tank. I recently purchased and assembled three Phoenix 45 (soon to be 55) led kits from Reefleds.com. Its up and operating for approx. seven weeks and I can honestly see my coral growing. I'm really happy with these leds. The corals are acclimating 5% per week. I'm up to 85%. They replaced a fixture containing three 175 watt MH and two 40 watt actinics. There really is no comparrison

[BigAl2007]

Radions would take 3x and GHL Mitras would take 2x. I don't know coverage for other "Similar" units.

[bluewater921]

i have a 180 with LEDs on it im using the evolution 3rd gen on them .. they work great .. awesome par all 4 corners at the bottom .. the center is a lil low on par due to the big butt sheet of center glass but i have lower that led fixture since we did the par test on the tank ... all my softs LPS and rbt are doing great .. calms are super happy too ...

[jwoyshnar]

I just bought Apollo LEDs for my tank. I pick them up Thursday. I'll let you know how I feel about them. I too have a 180. The tank I seen them over was a 180 and it looked great.

[scarface70706]

Matt since you indicate you're wanting (or have) an RBTA you will need high intensity lighting so don't skimp.... go ahead and get good lighting now and you'll be pleased long-term you did.

To be completely honest you dont need high intensity lighting for any type of BTA. they are completely opposite from corals. they really dont need tons of light; just my two cents...

back to OP "If its NOT broken DONT fix it." is there a really good reason why you want to switch your lighting up? if your not going to be adding sps or clams i really dont see a reason why you would want to swap out your lighting.

But if you really want to add LEDs i recommend ecotech or AI. good luck.:wavehand:

[pk-sd]

For a 6 foot tank, get a 5 foot Vertex illumina SR200 fixture. One fixture to cover the whole tank. With AI or Radion, you could end up with multiple modules and a spaghetti of wires hanging over your tank or in the cabinet. With Vertex, you can also change intensity and color of lights using your laptop.

[grizzlyguy]

Two mitras willn't cover this tank properly.. This aquarium is too long..

[joelespinoza]

Premade fixtures are fine if you want to spend a crapload of money and want to be able to dim it with your laptop or iphone. Personally I would rather have a great product with fewer features then a lackluster product with lots of nifty gadgets.

If you want first rate light, then DIY is the only way to go. I could lay out a great DIY light that would make your tank look look better then any premade fixture in existence for $700-$1000. You could even set it up to be basically plug and play with arduino controllers if you want to be fancy.

[BigAl2007]

Two mitras willn't cover this tank properly.. This aquarium is too long..

Really? They are spec'd in around 36" x 24" per unit.

[grizzlyguy]

Really? They are spec'd in around 36" x 24" per unit.
You can print everything :-)

This unit size is 340x180x40.
I saw Triton r2 which is quite bigger fixture - with better coverage area(also cree leds on board) - and two pcs are not enough..
Of course - sand is lighted propery - but fishes swimming under water are hiding/showing in light beams - and it look unnatural..
So - fixture with smaller footprint cant cover the same area better - having the same hardware(leds) on board

[Anemonebuff]

3x Kessil A350s will cover well. They are strong enough to support all that you mentioned.

[BigAl2007]

You can print everything :-)

This unit size is 340x180x40.
I saw Triton r2 which is quite bigger fixture - with better coverage area(also cree leds on board) - and two pcs are not enough..
Of course - sand is lighted propery - but fishes swimming under water are hiding/showing in light beams - and it look unnatural..
So - fixture with smaller footprint cant cover the same area better - having the same hardware(leds) on board

My apology. I was told this morning that the factory specs on a ghl mitras are:

31.5" x 21" at max depth of 27.5"

I stand corrected :)

[grizzlyguy]

No problem - its nice fixture - but do not make it impossible becomes possible :-)

[audacious1]

radions

[joelespinoza]

Here is post where I laid out a light that would be better then 2 Radions, both in looks and PAR/PUR. It is a 56 LED build that would be great for a 180 gallon tank with softies.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20467636&postcount=22

The price of it without the heatsink is $336.41+shipping.

Here are 2 giant heatink options:

Overkill passive cooling heatsink $172.17+ shipping: http://www.heatsinkusa.com/products/8.460%22-Wide-x-70%22-Long-Heatsink.html

Massive overkill passive cooling heatsink $214.58 + shipping: http://www.heatsinkusa.com/products/10.000%22-Wide-x-70%22-Long-Heatsink.html

So the most expensive option is $550.99+shipping, and actually will be a bit less because if you ran this build over a 180 with softies I would suggest forgoing the optics.

Considering you would need 3 radions at $750 each to cover that tank, and they wouldnt look as good, DIY is really the only way to go.

[dmatt56]

The RBTA was sold. Still using T5. May switch to LED one day...