I've been out of the loop. LED advice for a 30g cube.

[Jordan N.]

So I dropped out of the hobby after a tank crashed due to heater failure about 4 years ago and obviously a LOT has changed since then. I have a 30g oceanic that am considering upgrading the light on, primarily to reduce heat and energy costs and to avoid having to constantly replace bulbs. I already have a workable 150w Halide + 2 t5 hood so I can use if the LED options aren't compelling.



That's not my actually tank but it's basically right. What would be an appropriate LED fixture for this that can handle a slow sunrise/sunset ramp up? I really have trouble seeing myself spending more than 300 on the lights with out some convincing. This hobby is far too good at convincing.

I've done a little research and found the Hydra 24 by Aqua Illuminations and the Kessil a160we and they seemed in the right range. It seems to me like the Hydra really should be sufficient but is the Kessil enough to cover a tank of this size? I am aware of the 360 but it seems a bit high to me at 400. I would like to keep photosynthetic gorgonians and possibly some LPS along with a whole lot of macroalgae.

[ktipp]

Well the kessil and hydra are awesome lights but to get the sunrise/sunset you need to have a controller.

The new AI Prime with built in controller might work.

[Dean]

I've got the Kessil 150 over my 29 gallon cube and it is plenty of light and completely covers the tank so the 160 would work as well. You would bust your budget a little though when you include the mount and controller for ramping on and off.

[Jordan N.]

Oh, so the Kessil requires a separate controller? Do you need their brand or one like the apex? That will probably tip the scales in the Hydras favor. Are there any other companies I should be looking at?

[Zack]

No the apex can dim the kessil if you have the vdm module. The hydras are 300$ with a 80$ controller or the prime for 200$ with wifi built in. Radions are nice but pricey. Reefbreeders has some good leds but I perfer the features of the AI.

[Zack]

But not all the kessils can be dimmer. The standard a150 cannot be dimmed