Aqua illuninator for 120 gallon 48"

[reefiness]

So im looking at some of these AI units potentially for my upgrade to 120 gallon tank. Right now i have 2 250 watt MH lights over a 90 which i would use on the 120 if i dont get LEDs.

The AI units im looking at are either the hydras or the hydra 26s. I would use 2 units over the tank connected to one of the AI controllers.

I've heard they aren't too great with SPS growth, but that wouldnt matter to me as I have a full softies tank.

The savings I calculated taking into account all lighting expenses is about $1800 at the 5 year mark so thats a plus, but im still on fence about upgrading because of some of the negatives ive heard about LEDs including some disco ball effect which ive never personally seen. But if i did upgrade i also have no idea whether to get the regular hydras or the 26. right now im leaning toward the 26 because it seems like it puts out a bit more light than the regular hydras and also apparently has a little less of said disco ball effect.

 

[Panonhas]

I have 2 AI hydra 26 for sale with the mounts and the director. I think they are awesome lights and haven't noticed any disco effects. They are very powerful lights and I just kept them at less then 50 pct in my 68 gallon tank. I bought them about 2 months ago. If interested PM me. I can send you pics.

 

[Mano29]

Have u look in to the reefbreeder they look good and the price is awesome

 

[reefiness]

the reefbreeders look too much like the Chinese leds to me


EDIT: I take back this comment, going to look into these too. Apparently some people really seem to like them. Do you use the reefbreeders mano?

 

[reefiness]

wow im doing some incredible calculations right now on excel figured i would share.

So for anyone running 2x250 watt mh bulbs, i factored in 300 watt per at the wall which may have been a little too much but even though.... this is incredible.

I calculated using an approximate electric cost from staten island of $0.26 per kWh.

Also assuming a 12 hour lights on period...

And an additional cost of replacement bulbs each year at $120 per the set (relatively cheap bulbs)

If you are in the above situation, and upgrade to LED lights.... your ROI is incredible. Replacing with 2 hydra 26 with controller and hanging **** which came to a little over $700 for me... the pay back period is 1.25 years. ROI is 85% per year as you will see $478 in electric savings per year.

If the 26 is too weak for you, i calculated for 2 hydra 52 units... break even point is 2.89 years. ROI is 50% per year.

Also looked at the reefbreeders 48" unit which came back with a break even of 0.87 years with an ROI of 120% per year!

The calculations for electric use for LED units also assume leds being at max power for a 12 hour period which is probably an over estimation, so actual savings are probably higher.

My mind is literally blown right now.

 

[reefiness]

Looks like i may end up with the 48 reefbreeder unit. Watched a lot of video reviews and talked to a few people who currently have them, they seem like grade A lights. And for the price, they cant be beat.

 

[Mano29]

I told u

 

[reefiness]

I told u

Hahaha... do you have this unit?

I looked into it, it seems like a half way decent light. For me it was between the photon, AI hydra 26, and AI hydra 52.

It will work out to be the cheapest option by a pretty decent margin and considering the energy savings over my dual 250 MH, this unit will pay for itself in 0.9 years.

So if anything, if I dont end up liking the lights I can switch back to MH after just a year and not feel like I lost anything, but hopefully that doesnt happen as I cant really see it being the case.

 

[Mano29]

I don't have it in planing on getting it but a good friend of my has it in his tank and its awesome and my friend Is super picky and he love it he has no. Complaints And if u see his tank Iam telling it will seal the deal for u

 

[duromega]

the reefbreeders are amazing , if you go with them you will love them.

 

[reefiness]

Well its official... just ordered the photon 48. I found them on FB and liked their page and saw they have a special going on for $40 off the photon series lights. So i ordered the 48", i figure i can put it over my 90 gallon and figured i can start acclimating things to the new lights so tank change day will be a little less stressful rather than introducing a new light on the same day.

Also if anyone else is looking to order the reef breeders, I think the $40 off the photon works on any size, just go like their facebook page and order before May 15th