CCLAXX Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Alright so the question is do I get an ATI 24" 4x24w or do I get a Nanobox Duo? I look up to small SPS nanos such as Nanotopia's 80l and many more and that is my eventual goal with this tank.... The tank will be either an ADA 60p or a Landen 24x16x16. Both have fantastic reviews so there is no question that both fixtures will cover both of these aquariums and support any type of coral that i so may want to have. Yet I'm still torn..... The Nanobox is slightly more expensive at $450 and comes with the amazing amount of controllability that are associated with LEDs. Coverage isn't an issue nor is the ability to grow coral. However my goal with this tank is to go SPS dominated and there are still many mixed reviews regarding LED success with SPS, Mainly some shadowing issues and overall color. The ATI fixture is a tried and true method for growing SPS with remarkable colors. While colors is not only a product of the lighting, T5 seem to have the best overall success. The only real concern with T5 is the bulb replacement. It is slightly cheaper not counting the bulb costs. While this tank may not be set up for 20 years, I plan to have this be a relatively long term set up. The other option is a retrofit, which is the most expensive option and one I've considered but it may not be practical for a kid getting out of college in a few years. I'd love to hear as many responses as i can get Thanks, Dylan Link to comment
jbb Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I say go for the retro. You will be leaving college with a ton of debt anyway... whats another couple hundred dollars. Link to comment
hey Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 You will be happier with an led in college. No maintenance costs associated with it = more money to spend on beer. Link to comment
CCLAXX Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Wow fast replies! It seems that the retro is the way to go but how would you suggest going about it? Ive asked Dave over at Nanobox what it would cost to do a duo with 2 24" t5s but he said that while it could be done, it may be too costly. Im pretty ocd when it comes to how things look and I love how Dave's Quads look with the T5s, but i feel that would be super overkill. And then he does fixture retrofits, and I've seen 4x5's ATI fixture and I do like how that looks. Anyway i have time to think. You will be happier with an led in college. No maintenance costs associated with it = more money to spend on beer. To be completely honest, that may be the most valid argument I've seen. Talking about the beer of course. Haha I say go for the retro. You will be leaving college with a ton of debt anyway... whats another couple hundred dollars. I'd say I would agree with you but just having bought books, I'm not feeling it. Link to comment
masterbuilder Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 The fact is both are equally successful. There are dozens and dozens of awesome tanks with both types of lighting. So one being superior to the other is really the human factor that's involved. If I were in your position I would go with LEDs for the reason "hey" gave. Less maintenance (like zero), controllability and of course...there is a coolness factor. Its a Ford or Chevy thing to be honest. Link to comment
CCLAXX Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 The fact is both are equally successful. There are dozens and dozens of awesome tanks with both types of lighting. So one being superior to the other is really the human factor that's involved. If I were in your position I would go with LEDs for the reason "hey" gave. Less maintenance (like zero), controllability and of course...there is a coolness factor. Its a Ford or Chevy thing to be honest. This is what I've been leaning toward as the lady-friend has also brought up that the maintenance costs would be impractical. The only other thing that I can think of is that at my LFS they run Radions and its kind of hard to look at for a long period of time. Now wether thats the spectrum or the amount of shimmer, but thats just another factor of mine. Link to comment
farkwar Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Diffuse your LEDs to get T5 diffused light, without bulb replacement. Its not a Ford Chevy thing. LEDs are a point source light, it has harsh shadows. Like a cloudless midday sun. T5 are a diffused light source, like overcast sun. To change a point source light to diffused light, just add a diffusion sheet between your light and tank. Simple. Link to comment
farkwar Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Its more like an FJ40 Landcrusier with a Ford block V8 vs a Jeep CJ7 with Chevy fuel injected V8. Obviously the CJ is better because the FJ40 was built for men 5 feet tall. Your knees will be at your chin in the Landcruiser, duh. You have to replace expensive bulbs every 6 months, and they burn a lot more electricity with T5s. Half their light shoots out the back, which is why you need expensive quality made reflectors. And even then the tube blocks the reflected light. All this bouncing and reflecting makes a diffused light source even more diffused. Put a sheet of Acrylite diffusing screen under your LEDs, you will get similar light, non-harsh shadows, better lateral growth, and better growth on the shade side of your corals. You can cut your shimmer to virtually any level you desire this way, too. And you dont need to change bulbs for 10 years, and you burn half the electricity. http://www.acrylite-shop.com/US/us/two-sided-velvet-texture-cx2tw0dadf1/acrylite-satinice-dp9-colorless-0f00-dc-nq1trtv8pp0~p.html Put that on your NanoBox or Radion. Or it can be as simple as putting white egg crate over your tank. It will both diffuse your light and keep your firefish off the floor. Link to comment
DaveFason Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Go with the Duo with gooseneck. You will be able to change the angel of the light as well. It will be perfect on the tank on easily grow anything you toss in there. I current have a Mini over a 24" Mr. Aqua to experiment. I'll post pictures, needless to say I have great everything which is blowing me away. Link to comment
PODPIMP Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Since you are wanting SPS I highly suggest the ATI T5 fixture. Not saying it can't be done with LED, but T5 is more forgiving on SPS through a broad range of nutrient levels. IME the best growth is to be had with T5 due to it's complete coverage. This is coming from someone who runs halide/T5/LED over his tank Link to comment
Horerczy Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Farkwar I have to ask. Where the crap were you going with that metaphor? You said its not a Ford Chevy thing then went into a Ford Chevy metaphor with no comparison to the actual topic at hand. To CCLAXX: Both options are good. There is no reason why one will not do a good job versus the other. Truly a Ford and Chevy issue. If money is a major concern more now with leds will save a lot of money in bulb replacement innate furore. Link to comment
farkwar Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Horerczy, They are both hybrids, better than what they come from. It was Jeep/Landcruiser metaphor, the Chevy Ford in it was only incidental for its silliness. But one is better than another based on the individual and experience. If youre over 6' tall and driven either through the Rubicon, you'll know the difference. Its something that needs to be experienced, no amount of stats this, efficiency that can tell you that for a 6'+ driver the CJ7 is superior. Being fuel injected is kinda cool, because you can start your Jeep while standing next to it. Not a lot of Jeepers can do that. You can make an LED better by changing the quality of its light. By hybridizing it into a diffused light source, its better than the LED alone and definitely better than T5. And better than LED T5 hybrids. And since not a lot of people are doing it, you have to find out for yourself. Link to comment
CCLAXX Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Ill have to try that! We shall see how my DIY skills are. I have plenty of time to prepare so im just making sure what i want. It will chang back and fourth im sure and Dave will further perfecting the Nanoboxs. Would the act of diffusing allow or force me to up the intensity? Link to comment
PODPIMP Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 You can make an LED better by changing the quality of its light. By hybridizing it into a diffused light source, its better than the LED alone and definitely better than T5. And better than LED T5 hybrids. And since not a lot of people are doing it, you have to find out for yourself. How is this done? Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 How is this done? Add a diffuser under the LEDs. Link to comment
CCLAXX Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Would anyone have an input on how well this works or any examples? Sounds interesting Link to comment
lynxer Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Go with the T5's Having experience with both.... I prefer the look of my t5 tanks. +1 on the ATI Link to comment
Tamberav Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Hybrid retrofit is clearly the answer. I bought a used ATI and a used nano-box and hung them both over my tank. The hanging part is sort of odd looking but damn I love the light. Link to comment
Lawnman Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 The fact is both are equally successful. There are dozens and dozens of awesome tanks with both types of lighting. So one being superior to the other is really the human factor that's involved. If I were in your position I would go with LEDs for the reason "hey" gave. Less maintenance (like zero), controllability and of course...there is a coolness factor. Its a Ford or Chevy thing to be honest. Chevy all day Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I'd say its Audi vs BMW with Mercedes as MH. American cars suck. (IMO) I vote go with the Duo, I'm ordering one within a month or so ideally. Link to comment
CCLAXX Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 I pm'd Dave about a possible retrofit. I really like how 4x5's retrofit with the ATI fixture with the nano box LEDs. We shall see but for now its the duo until I see how the ATI retrofit sounds. Link to comment
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