LED light(s) for reefer 525?

Peach02

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
2,260
Reaction score
2,709
Location
Australia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ive been looking into upgrading to a reefer 525 and I've got all the hardware decided on apart from the lights.
I'd like to stick to a mainstream brand for the customer support and more knowledge on them.
The main ideas so far have been hydra 52's or radio xr30w pro's
The tank will have heavy SPS on the top of the aquascape and some soft corals below
What lights do you guys recommend for this tank?
 

COreef8

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
3,651
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a reefer 525 deluxe (meaning it came with 3 hydra 26HD's) and I just added the 48" Aquatic Life T5 dimmable hybrid with the floating wall mount. I really like the Hydras, and I'm very impressed with the T5 fixture as well. Since product support is a primary factor, I've dealt with support with both companies and I had no problem with getting an AI prime replaced, and Dave at Aquatic Life went well out of his way to help me with brackets that didn't fit. Great support from both.

I have the lights mounted high (11-12" right now) to get a good spread and I'm getting 200-425 PAR on most of the rockwork with 150 at the sandbed. The PAR could be much higher too if I lower the lights but I'm happy with the current numbers. Altogether, this setup would be about $1800, which is probably close to the price of 2 XR30's with mounts. I overlayed PAR numbers on an old picture of my tank here too.

Par readings.jpg
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
96,707
Reaction score
215,505
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
ReefBreeders Photon or Mars 32" dimmable pro or Kessil AP700
 
OP
OP
Peach02

Peach02

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
2,260
Reaction score
2,709
Location
Australia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a reefer 525 deluxe (meaning it came with 3 hydra 26HD's) and I just added the 48" Aquatic Life T5 dimmable hybrid with the floating wall mount. I really like the Hydras, and I'm very impressed with the T5 fixture as well. Since product support is a primary factor, I've dealt with support with both companies and I had no problem with getting an AI prime replaced, and Dave at Aquatic Life went well out of his way to help me with brackets that didn't fit. Great support from both.

I have the lights mounted high (11-12" right now) to get a good spread and I'm getting 200-425 PAR on most of the rockwork with 150 at the sandbed. The PAR could be much higher too if I lower the lights but I'm happy with the current numbers. Altogether, this setup would be about $1800, which is probably close to the price of 2 XR30's with mounts. I overlayed PAR numbers on an old picture of my tank here too.

Par readings.jpg
what was the growth like with the hydras?
 

Maxrotor

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 23, 2018
Messages
27
Reaction score
19
Location
Alpharetta
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I just ordered the Red Sea Deluxe and it comes with the Red Sea lights. Does anyone have experience with these LEDs?
 
Back
Top