What kind LEDs for marineland 300

[Hudson River Reefer]

I have a new 90 gallon tank and looking to replace my metal halide with LED lighting. What would be the best unit to purchase?

 

[Mattl22]

Bump

 

[cdamiano]

It might be tough to get quality LED lighting to give you proper coverage for that size tank without paying lots of $$. If that is the case, then your payback in electricity savings will take quite a long time over the costs of running halides or T5. 3 Large Lumenbrite reflectors would cover that tank nicely at minimal upfront cost and give you great results with any coral you would want to keep.

 

[duke62]

I saw a tank thread on RC where the guy had like a above 1000 gallon tank with ALOT of AI sol blues over his tank and i believe he supplemented it with T5 but im not 100 percent sure. I think 9 AI sols would do just fine with SPS up to 20 in in depth

 

[btldreef]

Why not DIY ???

 

[Preerecord]

Fathom....I have 3 over my 220g
Love the lights...They are the truth and he will install and help you out as well...

 

[cdamiano]

I saw a tank thread on RC where the guy had like a above 1000 gallon tank with ALOT of AI sol blues over his tank and i believe he supplemented it with T5 but im not 100 percent sure. I think 9 AI sols would do just fine with SPS up to 20 in in depth

9 AI sols = $3700. Wow, that would be quite an investment for lighting. You can get a nice MH solution for under $1000 including bulbs, reflectors, and ballasts. I wonder how long it would take for the electricity savings from the LEDs to make up for the higher cost for the initial investment? I have nothing against LEDs, but if you are only going that route to save on costs, then there might be better options available for a tank that size. It seems like LEDs are easier to justify on smaller tanks.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Actually LEDs are easier to justify on larger systems since the gap in draw is so much greater. When you consider using 3x 400w halides plus maybe a few T5s on a 300DD as opposed to 3- roughly 160w LED units, the difference is huge. Spread that over 8hrs a day every month plus less (if any at all) need for a chiller. We normally see a drop of about 50-75% electrical draw on LED conversions which means they pay for themselves quickly.

 

[E.intheC]

It might be tough to get quality LED lighting to give you proper coverage for that size tank without paying lots of $$. If that is the case, then your payback in electricity savings will take quite a long time over the costs of running halides or T5. 3 Large Lumenbrite reflectors would cover that tank nicely at minimal upfront cost and give you great results with any coral you would want to keep.

Plus 1. Lumenbrites would be awesome on your tank.

9 AI sols = $3700. Wow, that would be quite an investment for lighting. You can get a nice MH solution for under $1000 including bulbs, reflectors, and ballasts. I wonder how long it would take for the electricity savings from the LEDs to make up for the higher cost for the initial investment? I have nothing against LEDs, but if you are only going that route to save on costs, then there might be better options available for a tank that size. It seems like LEDs are easier to justify on smaller tanks.

Exactly. With my Solana, I can easily light the entire (lol) tank with one Radion. With a larger tank you're going to need many more units.

 

[Mattl22]

Thanks for the imput guys I would truly love to run mh I just can never forget the electric bill I got 1 summer when running 2x250w mh and ac to keep temp cool ! It was a lot forget how much but dropped when I added my LEDs!
Bottem line is I'll have a budget to do this build but if electric/matinance costs r too high I will get flack from my wife forever!!! So idea is do it right 1st time but 9 ai solstice not happening interested in the orpheck and fantom gotta research them

 

[Mike's Reef]

LEDs

I have 6 Fathom LEDs over my 300 gallon tank. Lights are awesome. Great company to deal with.

 

[Mattl22]

Hi real deal thanks for the pics can u tell me more about them? How much did all 6 set u back did u make the bracing

 

[samksy]

I have 6 Fathom LEDs over my 300 gallon tank. Lights are awesome. Great company to deal with.

Nice huge black tang. It looks like u have 8 light in your picture.

 

[Mattl22]

Hi Chris I hear u on the mh and if $ was not that big a deal for me id go mh in the blink of an eye but I've heard guys saying there bill hitting $600-700 during summer between tank and central air!
I just know from my personal exp when I had a 2x 250 mh over my old 75 gal the bill was much higher then when I switched to LEDs

 

[Mike's Reef]

No problem. I do not have 8. I have four units in first row and two units in between the overflows.
I did not do a thing Fathom LED did all of the work. Like I said cannot find better customer service out there IMO.

Give Fathom a call and discuss what you are looking for. I don't recall what I spent.

Good luck
Mike

 

[Shark Man]

I have 300 dd I'm running 6 Eco tech radion pro !! can't complain grow is good and coverage of the tank is good !!!

 

[FathomLED]

I know they are a vendor on here. From what i read there not bad but on another web site they write its a generic version of AI

Hey Duke could you pm me that link? Thanks

 

[duke62]

sure i will look for it again on RC

 

[duke62]

Oh and by the way it wasnt meant in a harmful way. It was meant as your lights are similar in design and cheaper price

 

[FathomLED]

Oh and by the way it wasnt meant in a harmful way. It was meant as your lights are similar in design and cheaper price

Was never taken that way my friend i do not look for complications. Very laid back here. Just curious thats all.
Look forward to the PM dont want to hijack this thread. Back to the question the OP is looking for help with. Please