How would you light up a sps dominant system?

smokinreefer · #1 10-26-2015, 04:46 AM

hey,

a lot of great input so far!

I was thinking if I go with kessils i'd take advantage of their form factor and run them as pendants. 2 rows of 3 on a 6'ish long tank. to get better coverage than running a single row of 3 down the center. I think it would look fairly sharp over a rimless display. just wondering about shadows and sps coloration.

of course i'm considering the ATI hybrid. there seems to be a large following on that fixture. reviews seem to be good for the most part.

I am also considering the PACSUN hybrid, it looks just as nice as the ATI.

Aquattro · #2 10-26-2015, 05:52 AM

As you're well aware, there are so many other factors affecting SPS. "IF" you got all that dialed in perfectly, running LED will showcase your work well. While I still give 400w radiums the win on color, I only say that from hundreds of hours of staring in my tank under both systems. Nobody ever looked at my tank under LED and thought color sucked. Just me

And that was from maybe a 5% difference in color. I did have a couple pieces completely change color, but the other 100 pieces did well with only a slight drop in that pop we strive for with SPS.
I think a hybrid system will give you enough of all the desired features that you'll be happy with the purchase.

smokinreefer · #3 10-26-2015, 05:27 PM

I hear ya on the MH.

I still remember rocking the single ended 400s with huge reflectors. only took 2 to light my 180 and you could put sps everywhere! add 2 VHOs and Boom youre done!

if it weren't for the size of fixture/canopy/hood needed for it, i'd consider them for sure. if only I was doing an in-wall with a fishroom.

having said that, the DE MH fixtures I've used just didn't cut it on spread. i'm sure if you raise lights high enough the spread would be better, but I don't think I've ever had a fixture more than 8" above the tank.

Aquattro · #4 10-26-2015, 07:35 PM

You'd need more than 2 DE for sure. Jamie ran 2 x DE on his 120 with pretty good results!

freezetyle · #5 10-27-2015, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokinreefer

of course i'm considering the ATI hybrid. there seems to be a large following on that fixture. reviews seem to be good for the most part.

I am also considering the PACSUN hybrid, it looks just as nice as the ATI.

I would be wary of the pac sun light unless you can get local warranty. I had the metis line of led's. It was an awesome light but, when I had a strip of leds burn out I had to ship the thing to the states for warranty. They were good about it, even tried to send replacement parts. but still a hassle and got burned shipping and duty due to a paper work error.

smokinreefer · #6 10-28-2015, 05:01 AM

Dang. Good to know about the warranty. Thanks for the info.

smokinreefer · #7 12-22-2015, 08:29 PM

So after some discussion, it looks like I'll be restricted to a light fixture that has mounting legs to sit on the rimless tank.

Second less desirable option is to build a low profile canopy to house the lighting. In which I can ditch the rimless, and will have a way to hide plumbing and get my returns on the opposite end of tank. But won't be as visually pleasing to me.

Sidius · #8 12-22-2015, 08:59 PM

I am in the process of setting up a 180g SPS dominant system and I went with the Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture. The one I picked up is 3x400w Radium MH + 4x80w T5's and it included all the bulbs plus the proper M135 magnetic ballasts. It comes in a 250w radium version with M80 ballasts as well. My system isn't up and running yet but there are a lot of good reviews about it out there.

I have to say that the customer service when dealing directly with Hamilton was amazing as well.

Aquattro · #9 12-22-2015, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidius

I am in the process of setting up a 180g SPS dominant system and I went with the Hamilton Cebu Sun fixture. The one I picked up is 3x400w Radium MH + 4x80w T5's and it included all the bulbs plus the proper M135 magnetic ballasts. It comes in a 250w radium version with M80 ballasts as well. My system isn't up and running yet but there are a lot of good reviews about it out there.

I have to say that the customer service when dealing directly with Hamilton was amazing as well.

Bet you're gonna be happy with that one!

Sidius · #10 12-22-2015, 09:56 PM

Ya so far, it's a pretty impressive light and I like the colour... though I have nothing in my tank yet.

I forgot to add that it came with tank mounts.