I am building a 225g tank 72" 27" 27". I am at the point I need to order lighting. I have been reading a lot about the cheap Chinese lights and quality lights. I would love to get the AI Hydra 52s but they are out of reach for me. So I have been looking at the regular Hydras but was not sure if they can penetrate a 27" tall tank. The Hydra 26 can for sure but then I am concerned that I will not get enough spread. The regular hydras can by upgraded down the road to the 52s but it is still expensive to do that. So finally to my question. Who has experience with the AI hydras/26/52 that can share their experiences with the lights? Second question is should I just buy 6 cheap Chinese lights and replace them as they crap out? I just don't like the idea of having 12 power cords. Or maybe there are lights out there that I am not aware of and you guys can direct me to look there? My tippy top max budget is about $1200. (wife will still kill me) Oh I was planning on having a mixed reef tank but was hoping that I could get lights strong enough to do an sps tank if I wanted to.
Very conflicted and need your expertise
- Thread starter Lawdogg28
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Maybe look into the rapid LED lights, their DIY LEDs are on par with more expensive fixtures but they also make a pre-assembled fixture too that looks like they would be equal to fixtures that are twice the price. I am thinking of putting them over my big tank once I get it built
http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-onyx-by-rapid-led/
http://www.rapidled.com/dimmable-onyx-by-rapid-led/
I have hydra 52's, I know josh hill does too. And I know 1200 is your limit, but believe me, you pay for what you get. I ran 3 Chinese on my 180g for awhile, no real control, could dim but manually, color spectrum wasn't all that great. There are deals out there for the 52's. Check eBay, reef to reef, etc. most online places will are free shipping. I know some ppl like radions too. More expensive and I don't have experience with them.
I am not mechanically inclined at all. So any thing that would require me to solder anything or put them together is probably beyond me. Kio707 do you think that the 26s would give me enough spread on a 72"x27" tank? (I probably know the answer) I will be checking for deals on the AIs if you see any can you let me know? I met you briefly at reefstock. You were helping Bush and you showed me a video of your gyre.
kio707;345537 said:
That's the better advantages of LEDs too. Constant par and colors without having to change the bulbs. Could always pitch that idea to the wife. Saying you would save $100's a year in bulbs and electric bill. 
