Dreichler Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 So i just bought the hydra 26 and love it on my jbj 28, and my brother has the same tank, but he does not want to spend the $450+ on the light with mounting and a controller like i did, so whats the best full spectrum light he can get, maybe something as close to the hydra 26 as possible, under $400 with the mounting, and if possible, a remote as well, please no radion xr15w pro because its about $500 for the light and mount. Link to comment
curtis72 Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Ai Prime is pretty good. Ive seen one over a jbj28 and it was pretty nice, its small and only 220-230 with hanging kit. Or nano box mini for 300 which includes a hanging kit and has a blufish mini controller (phone app controls everything like prime). Kessil 160we is 250. All these lights are nice. Link to comment
Dreichler Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Ai Prime is pretty good. Ive seen one over a jbj28 and it was pretty nice, its small and only 220-230 with hanging kit. Or nano box mini for 300 which includes a hanging kit and has a blufish mini controller (phone app controls everything like prime). Kessil 160we is 250. All these lights are nice. I think the prime is really underpowered and not very good for more experienced reefers ya know, same with the nano box and kessil, he's looking for something with hydra 26 performance, or close enough to it, but for under 400, any other suggestions? Link to comment
Horerczy Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 That's a tough one. Hydra 26 form factor without hydra 26 price that is. You'd basically have to look for a Chinese knock off to get that. I think the prime is really underpowered and not very good for more experienced reefers ya know, same with the nano box and kessil. Link to comment
Paleoreef103 Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I think the prime is really underpowered and not very good for more experienced reefers ya know, same with the nano box and kessil, he's looking for something with hydra 26 performance, or close enough to it, but for under 400, any other suggestions? Not at all unless you're trying to stretch them way further than you should. A prime or a nano box mini would work fine for an LPS or softy tank, but you're not going to get great performance if you're trying to build an SPS JBJ 28. Honestly, if you're trying to get a cheap alternative for a Hydra 26, I'd look into one of these. https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-16/ Let's be fair, this should be best budget full-spectrum lights not best full-spectrum lights. Link to comment
CrazyEyes Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 A single prime will be just fine over that tank, even for SPS. A friend of mine has acros encrusting under 55 par, he has a single prime over a 29 biocube which is similar in dimensions. Link to comment
12_egg_Omelette Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Metal halides man. You can get a great deal these days with everyone giving it up. Gold standard in my book. Link to comment
Matteo Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Yeah but the wattage bill and heat that halides give off is not the nicest. I'd go t5 before Halide. However LEDS are the dominant light fixture IMO for their color and intensity output. Link to comment
12_egg_Omelette Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Halides beat LEDs in intensity, I'd also disagree about the LEDs having the best color as well. The advantage of LeFd is not having to replace bulbs every 6 months being able to having different intensities and kelvin at time points. I run LEDs for that reason. If money wasn't as issue I would run MH with T5s In this configuration 3 blue plus, 2 coral plus, 2 true actinics, and 1 purple plus in an ATI fixture Link to comment
Dreichler Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Halides beat LEDs in intensity, I'd also disagree about the LEDs having the best color as well. The advantage of LeFd is not having to replace bulbs every 6 months being able to having different intensities and kelvin at time points. I run LEDs for that reason. If money wasn't as issue I would run MH with T5s In this configuration 3 blue plus, 2 coral plus, 2 true actinics, and 1 purple plus in an ATI fixture what led do you run now and on what tank Link to comment
curtis72 Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I think the prime is really underpowered and not very good for more experienced reefers ya know, same with the nano box and kessil, he's looking for something with hydra 26 performance, or close enough to it, but for under 400, any other suggestions?Well get a Hydra 26 the . it's 300$ Link to comment
Dreichler Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Well get a Hydra 26 the . it's 300$ ya but with the remote and mounting, its around 475 Radion XR30 W Pro for $600+..... no thanks Link to comment
curtis72 Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 ya but with the remote and mounting, its around 475 Well there's not much else, unless you go into the space of chinese black boxes. Link to comment
12_egg_Omelette Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 ya but with the remote and mounting, its around 475 for $600+..... no thanks Right, it's kinda pricy. You can get s good deal gen 2 15 for probably around $300 with arm if you keep an eye out. There's always reef breeders https://www.reefbreeders.com/photon-series/ Man I do love T5s and MHs though. Link to comment
Horerczy Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Halides beat LEDs in intensity,At what standard of comparison? To op: tell your friend to get the hydra 26 and remote then make a custom mount. Or to buck up and save the extra cash because the hydra 26 is clearly what he wants based on what you have posted thus far and in this hobby is best to buy what you want the first time instead of upgrading to it later. Link to comment
12_egg_Omelette Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 At what standard of comparison? To op: tell your friend to get the hydra 26 and remote then make a custom mount. Or to buck up and save the extra cash because the hydra 26 is clearly what he wants based on what you have posted thus far and in this hobby is best to buy what you want the first time instead of upgrading to it later. I completely agree with this statement. The reef hobby is expensive. But what makes the hobby really expensive is multiple upgrades. It also make it frustrating because you do research and know what you want and often times feel disappointed if you don't get the equipment you want. The nice thing with the AI is that it has a great resale value as well. Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 First time I've ever heard someone say an AI is superior to Nanobox and Kessil, lol. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 First time I've ever heard someone say an AI is superior to Nanobox and Kessil, lol. Radion>NanoBox>Kessil>AI I think Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Radion>NanoBox>Kessil>AI I thinkI used to swear by Radion, then I got a hybrid, lol. Also, Dave's cluster > Radion,AI, etc Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I used to swear by Radion, then I got a hybrid, lol. Also, Dave's cluster > Radion,AI, etc Oh I thought we were talking LED, you can't go mentioning the Hybrid! LOL I haven't used my NanoBox duo yet, so ill get back to you on that claim Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I've used both, and on the same tank. Radions are great lights, but use some LEDs that sent needed. green and yellow? GTFO Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I've used both, and on the same tank. Radions are great lights, but use some LEDs that sent needed. green and yellow? GTFO So just reduce the greens and yellows, no? You can control each LED color!! Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I don't need to turn down greens and yellows if they don't take up valuable space on the puck, lol Link to comment
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