Lighting a 60 Cube

[E.intheC]

I've been debating the lighting aspect for a few weeks now, and have decided to take a step back and ask for some advice.

The tank is a 60 cube (24x24x24h). Mixed reef with a central spire-type rock structure, leaving open sand around all sides. I'm going to keep SPS at the top, LPS, zoas, acans, NPS, etc. everywhere else.

Keeping in mind (in no particular order): up front and continuous costs, energy usage, coral health, coral color, etc.. What would you light the tank with? I can't spend crazy $$, but I'm not going to just throw cheap equipment at it either.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I just did a proposal for a 60 cube and we went with an LED pendant since we don't have to sit it on the tank edges and we can use a cover to make it fit the room.

 

[FaviaFreak]

have you looked into Vertex Illumina?

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/bulk-reef-supply-vertex-illumina-led-video-review/

 

[mbg75]

Ati 6 bulb dimmable, with a blue ReefBrite strip.

 

[FaviaFreak]

Vertex will be coming out with the illuminata (Vertex's answer to the Radions $125 cheaper too)

don't forget the Kessil A350 I love mine and my corals look really, really nice and happy under this light!

 

[piranhapat]

How many A350 kessil you think I would need for 90gal 48 x18 x24 in your opinion. Sps tank .....

 

[E.intheC]

Vertex will be coming out with the illuminata (Vertex's answer to the Radions $125 cheaper too)

don't forget the Kessil A350 I love mine and my corals look really, really nice and happy under this light!

The new vertex sounds interesting... Ill have to do some more reading.

The Kessil looks great but I don't like the control knobs.. If they had a software program to gradually increase and decrease the light output, I'd probably have it already.

 

[Lenny718]

I'm running two ai sol blues on my 60g cube and my corals and i couldn't be happier.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/127612-thanks-saltwaterinbrooklyn.html

 

[Jaftica]

ati 6 bulb dimmable, with a blue reefbrite strip.

+1

 

[E.intheC]

Jaftica, I heard you have the dimmable sunpower as well.. How do you like it overall? Do you think dimming the bulbs will shorten their lifespan? From the research Ive done it looks like it will. How much it will shorten the life span is the question really.

 

[Jaftica]

Jaftica, I heard you have the dimmable sunpower as well.. How do you like it overall? Do you think dimming the bulbs will shorten their lifespan? From the research Ive done it looks like it will. How much it will shorten the life span is the question really.

Best Fixture I had ever used, as far as shorter bulb life im not to sure, My bulbs are at 8 months old right now and still going strong, there is a "break in period" about 40 hrs on bulbs before ATI recommends using the dimming feature. i have not seen any negatives, i have all 8 bulbs ramp up and down at the same time instead of using the 2 channels seperate. Also ATI's customer service is outstanding!! Your more than welcome to stop by and check it out.

 

[mbg75]

Best Fixture I had ever used, as far as shorter bulb life im not to sure, My bulbs are at 8 months old right now and still going strong, there is a "break in period" about 40 hrs on bulbs before ATI recommends using the dimming feature. i have not seen any negatives, i have all 8 bulbs ramp up and down at the same time instead of using the 2 channels seperate. Also ATI's customer service is outstanding!! Your more than welcome to stop by and check it out.

Best lighting setup I've seen so far!

 

[Jaftica]

Best lighting setup I've seen so far!

Also the Built in controller kicks A**!!

 

[Hefe-Weizen]

How many A350 kessil you think I would need for 90gal 48 x18 x24 in your opinion. Sps tank .....

two.

 

[E.intheC]

I think it's between T5 and LEDs for now... Does anyone with a sunpower know what the light spill is like? I am going to have the cube pretty close to our couch and don't want to be blinded by the T5s. When I ran the Sunpower on my 90 I had a canopy.

Also, if I go LEDs, I'm leaning toward a single sol blue or a kessil 350(not sure on the w version or not).

 

[E.intheC]

I'm also interested in the new Maxspect Razor fixture. It looks promising (and finally has warm and cool white LEDs).

I know they dont come out until august but does anyone have thoughts on it? Spec-wise or similar.

 

[mbg75]

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