Help me choose my light..........

[Sherita]

Ok, here's the deal. I am in the market for new lighting for my frag display tank. Dimensions are 30" x 18" x 10". I want to go with either the Ecoxotic Panorama, or use Ecoxotic stunner strips. Here's my dilemma. I want something that is really going to pop the colors on the corals, and get the fluorescence showing up nicely, BUT, I live in the hinterlands, so I have no possibility of seeing these things on someone elses tank. I need to draw on the collective knowledge of Maast. I am thinking of either the Panorama module in 12k/445nm, or the stunner (24") in the same color configuration. What do the Maast members say? Should I be looking at a different color spectrum, or am I on the right track?

Also, does anyone have any idea what the coverage footprint is on the Ecoxotic lights? I have used my google fu, but it is weak. Thanks for any and all opinions :)

[ErikH]

I have three of the panorama modules on my 200g for actinics. 3 cover the tank evenly from end to end. The stunners are much less bright in comparison. I recommend the panorama pro, so you can daisy chain the lights without having to buy a bunch of extra stuff. Louis carries the ones you want in stock, and he's having his grand opening / MAAST meeting at his shop this weekend, if I recall correctly.
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?64922-Go-big-or-go-home.-The-rebuild-of-my-reef.

[rockmp]

Erik is correct. I would go with the panorama pro's as you can daisy chain up to three per power supply and are much brighter than the stunners. I believe the stunners are meant for supplementation (actinic) only.

[kkiel02]

I agree with them.

Another option you might also want to consider is the aqua illumination unit or a ecoxotic led canon. You could put one of either above the frag tank and just have the sps underneath the light and lps & softies toward the outer edges. Just depends how much you want to spend.

[Sherita]

I've seen the cannons, they did absolutely nothing for me. Sounds like the panorama is the way to go. Opinions on color?

This is just for my display tank at frag swaps, this is not intended to light my tanks here at the house. I just wanted something to make the fluorescence really show up at the swaps.

[ErikH]

I would go with the 12000k white 445nm blue

http://www.ecoxotic.com/panorama-pro-module.html

DOH! It's out of stock...
You should email them, and call around to distributors of their product to see if you can find it. The color looks like it's worth the trek.

[ErikH]

Welcome to MAAST. :)

[Sherita]

Erik, how many of those modules do you think I would need to light my frag tank? Do you think that color combination would light up the corals and show off the fluorescence?


I wish I could make the grand opening, but it would be about a five hour drive for me.

[ErikH]

2 for good coverage, or 1 if it's up high enough, but then you're sacrificing useable light.

[kkiel02]

Sherita please let us know how you like the modules as well. Im guessing you can buy the modules by themselves as the 24" fixture I found online was like $700! I am guessing thats not the one you were talking about.

[350gt]

I have 3 of the modules(1 453, 2 50/50) on my sons aquapod, I really like the look... Was really thinking about swapping out the 453 for a new PRO model with the 455/magenta. I am converting his tank into a frag tank as everything really seems to like the LEDS.

[Louis]

I really love the Panorama Pros. If you want the colors to POP you'll definitely like the Magenta/blue combo. These fixtures are 12" long and can be linked for a total of 3 panorama pros off a single transformer. I have a few of them over the clam tank at the shop, if you're coming to the meeting Saturday you can check them out! I do have some of the magenta/blue in stock. If I don't have what you're looking for I'd be happy to order it in.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[randomfish]

i can help you the end of sept i have a hook up for leds but i have to wait till i get there

[randomfish]

i know chris from evolution lights

[randomfish]

web master plz send me a link for sponsers plz

[Sherita]

Since I can't make the grand opening (I live five hours away), Ace has offered to take some pictures for me. Louis, I hope you don't mind. I am very excited to see how these lights look. If I go with them, I will let everyone know how they work out.

[350gt]

Why not buy http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?67427-evolution-led-fs ?

I can vouch for his fixture being almost new...

[Louis]

I don't mind at all, the more photos the better!

[Sherita]

That's a sweet deal for sure, but a round light on a long skinny tank won't work out well for my application. I am also leaning towards the blue/magenta combination.

[350gt]

cool.... check out this guys setup with the magenta/blue strip.. http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?67069-My-29-gallon-Biocube/page3

looks very nice, IMO....