LED Pre-Purchase Reality Check?

I've done a bunch of reading so far and I'm getting ready to order LEDs for my 90 gallon (4' x 18" x 2'deep) mixed reef tomorrow. I'm just looking for a reality check/some validation of the following thought process.

I want to go LED for energy savings and to get out of the bulb replacement treadmill.
I'd really like flexible programability, either web-based (Like the Radion Gen 2.) or by getting a Neptune Apex.
I'm handy enough to build my own with a kit, busy enough to maybe be willing to pay for an assembled light.
I currently have 2x250 14k MH going 8 hours and a T5 fixture that runs the first and last couple hours of the day.

Originally I was leaning towards 2 Radions, now I'm thinking either the RapidLED 90 gallon kit (with Neptune Apex,) or possibly a couple of the Apollo SolarBlast 5000s (with Neptune Apex.)

The Radions or Apollos are $300 more, but I don't have to do any work.

I'm leaning towards the RapidLEDs right now.

Is there anything I'm missing, or another company I should be considering? Let's just say money is no object (of course it is ) I'm probably as much interested in hearing from those of you who have been down one of the above paths already and maybe wish you'd done something differently.

Thanks!

 

You should check Reef Breeders a sponsor here.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

I took my sweet time building my Rapid LEDs, and I am still building my tank, so I it's not possible for me to speak of how well they work with my Coral, but I will say they were less work than I thought it would be. Just a lot of soldering!

 

I have a lot of projects that seem like a good idea until it comes time to finish, or if I finish, to clean up after!

 

I know how that goes!

I am a DIY type person (though, not nearly as skilled as I'd like, or as MANY people on this form are) so putting it together was def enjoyable for me. And I love that I know I can go back and change it, and add to it if I feel I need to. But that's just my two cents.

I honestly was going to go with Reef Breeders... but it ended up being cheaper to go through Rapid since I needed a different type of driver than his suppliers stocked.

 

DIY (Rapid, Ledgroupbuy, Stevesleds)
Reefbreeders
Maxspect Razor

 

if you have a hood and can do a quality build it might pay off to do the DIY, however i love my Radions.

 

I LOVE my Rapid kit!

A fellow member is selling his kit for 450!

http://www.3reef.com/forums/sale/full-rapid-leds-dimmable-new-price-450-00-a-140954.html

 

Yeah I'd do this! better spectrum and more easily modded as the lights get better

 

Based on your needs, I'd get the Radions and not look back. The huge advantage is the LED's are clustered very close which limits the disco effects that many of the black box LEDs (like the Apollo, ect...) have. It also saves you the money for the controller since it's built in.