185g tank lighting help

James Barton · May 30, 2017

Just about to start my first sw tank and I've been considering the rb photon v2 for lighting. My question is which size and/or how many will I need to ensure I'm covered all around?

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2017

What are the dimensions ?

James Barton · May 30, 2017

60x30x24

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2017

For the absolute best coverage you'd want 4 24 in. Just because your tank is 3oin.

2 might do it if hung high but you'll lose power/ par naturally.

They do reccomend a lumen bar on thier website to expand the spread.
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-24-v2/

Test led · May 30, 2017

Off the Reef Breeders website they do not recommend a single light for tanks deeper than 24 inches front to back. I would say to run either 3- 24 inch fixtures front to back on your tank or dual 50 inch fixtures.

James Barton · May 30, 2017

Thanks for the replies! I'm leaning towards 2 x 50", it's a little cheaper than 4 x 24" however, if I can get away with 3 x 24" that be even cheaper. Am I really sacrificing much, if at all?

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2017

It's pretty much geomtery and filling the rectangle with light.

The next step down in price becomes or t247. Then sbreeflights.

Test led · May 30, 2017

James Barton said:
Thanks for the replies! I'm leaning towards 2 x 50", it's a little cheaper than 4 x 24" however, if I can get away with 3 x 24" that be even cheaper. Am I really sacrificing much, if at all?

If you run them front to back on your tank you will end up with a bit of overlap from each light. This should give you great coverage. Or the dual 50 inch will also.

James Barton · May 30, 2017

I like the lights, I just want to get the best combination of them for my money. Whether it's 2 50" or 3-4 24", if that makes any sense.

James Barton · May 30, 2017

Test led said:
If you run them front to back on your tank you will end up with a bit of overlap from each light. This should give you great coverage. Or the dual 50 inch will also.

Thanks for clearing that up!

Test led · May 30, 2017

James Barton said:
Thanks for clearing that up!

I really think you would be covered with 3- 24 inch V2's. The leds are clustered closer together than the 50 and for the money you would get the coverage you are looking for.

James Barton · May 30, 2017

How would I run 3 24s front to back evenly?

Test led · May 30, 2017

James Barton said:
How would I run 3 24s front to back evenly?

Do you have cross braces?

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2017

Test led said:
If you run them front to back on your tank you will end up with a bit of overlap from each light. This should give you great coverage. Or the dual 50 inch will also.

With three 24 in lights? They have lenses it seems these going to be drop of and loss plos hot spots on the iver lap.

James Barton · May 30, 2017

Test led said:
Do you have cross braces?

No cross braces.

Test led · May 30, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
With three 24 in lights? They have lenses it seems these going to be drop of and loss plos hot spots on the iver lap.

The over lap is where the drop off in power from the spread happens. So if you over lap you should make up for drop off in power loss. Same thing when running other led boxes. You out them close enough together to pick up the drop off on the spread between the units.

Test led · May 30, 2017

James Barton said:
No cross braces.

15 inches off each end. One center at 30 inches.

saltyfilmfolks · May 30, 2017

Test led said:
The over lap is where the drop off in power from the spread happens. So if you over lap you should make up for drop off in power loss. Same thing when running other led boxes. You out them close enough together to pick up the drop off on the spread between the units.

Not if it does not fill the space. It would work a bit more the higher you go but not by much.

He'd be better with the two 50 or 4 24. IMO it's the nature of the light. Hold three flash lights over a piece of paper. Same thing.

Test led · May 30, 2017

James Barton said:
No cross braces.

Scratch that just got done marking it out. 12 inches off each end and one centered at 30. This will give you 6 inches over lap of lighting between your lights.

Test led · May 30, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Not if it does not fill the space. It would work a bit more the higher you go but not by much.

He'd be better with the two 50 or 4 24. IMO it's the nature of the light. Hold three flash lights over a piece of paper. Same thing.

We are talking 44 flashlights per fixture and 100 degree optics.