Needs lights and skimmer

[bif24701]

I just got my system together this weekend and started cycling. It's a 75 display and 40 breeder sump with fuge area.

I am looking at the new Reef Breeders 48" Photon-v2 LED lights. These look pretty awesome for the price point.

Also considering the Vertex Omega 150 skimmer. Currently I have a working Coralife 125 super skimmer and it seems to get the job done. Is it worth all that money to replace a working skimmer?

Thoughts?

[clearaquariums]

the vertex work nice....i really like the super reef octopus line

[bif24701]

Yea, I'm pretty set on the skimmer I think it will get the job done. M

Still torn on lighting however. I really like the proven success of T5s but bulb cost is high also.

Led will give some shimmer but are not as proven. There is also some claim that LED spectrum may shift after just a couple of years

[bif24701]

Reef Breeders Photon-V2 48" LED or ATI Sunpower 6 bulb 48" T5 HO?

[Mrw1936]

I actually have a 75 with a photon v2 and a vertex 130. Love them both!!

[bif24701]

I actually have a 75 with a photon v2 and a vertex 130. Love them both!!


I would love to see some pics of your system.

[Mrw1936]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/fe4fb5a45ac618cf64ff7392e9022fde.jpg

[Mrw1936]

Sorry can't see much, just built the canopy

[bif24701]

Looks great!

[Mrw1936]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160322/1f40810786c5b5fe6b876dac63c3e674.jpg

[Mrw1936]

And skimmer really needs to be cleaned haha, been carbon dosing for a few weeks now so it's been working overtime

[bif24701]

Do you think the 130 is well suited for your 75?

[Mrw1936]

Yes the 130 has been working perfectly for me. I have a yellow tang, lawnmower blenny, 2 clown, yellow coris wrass, and a firefish, so a decent bioload. It performs well, always a constant and predictable amount of skimmate.

[Mrw1936]

My display is 75 gal, 30 gal sump, and 30 gal frag tank plumbed in, so approx 100 gal total water volume

[Mrw1936]

And the photon v2's have been working good so far, only had it on the tank for a month or so now. I do have 2 54w t5's on for 4 hours a day too though.

[bif24701]

Thank you. I plan to carbon dose also. Good to know that the skimmer can keep up!

[Mrw1936]

Yeah I debated on the 130 or 150. I had heard mixed reviews on over sizing a skimmer to much. People claim inconsistent skimming if you go to big, and I believe vertex sizes there skimmers pretty appropriately. Overall I'm satisfied with the 130, and as a bonus is takes up less room in the sump.

[Bpb]

150 skimmer and ati sunpower. Bulb cost is WELL worth the results you get.

[bif24701]

150 skimmer and ati sunpower. Bulb cost is WELL worth the results you get.


What bulbs did you go with?

[Bpb]

I'm in the middle of going BACK to t5ho right now after trying a year of MH and then a year or so with LEDs, I can definitively say I was happiest with t5ho for growth and color of sps. No question.

I liked the ATI bulbs best. Never tried KZ bulbs, tried several giesemann bulbs (and I use giesemann on my planted tank currently). ATI bulbs seem to hold their par and spectrum longer than the competition does, which is exacerbated further by the excellent cooling system of the sunpower fixture. On top of that they're slightly cheaper.

[Bpb]

As far as what specific bulbs, I'd pick up maybe 4 blue+, a true actinic, a couple coral +, and maybe a purple+ and an Aquablue special. It's more bulbs than 6 obviously but you'd be able to fine tune the list to what you like best visually. Virtually any combination of these bulbs will work for growth, it just depends on what color you prefer

[bif24701]

I like a 14k look.

[bif24701]

Found a discount on SRO skimmers. What would be a better fit for me, the -1000 or 2000?

[bif24701]

Ok so found a great deal on a SRO-1000 internal. Can't wait!