300 gal lighting

[PhantomHalo]

I am switching my lights up because my current LED’s are garbage. Anyway my tank is about 6’x35” deep x 28” tall. I am looking at the Photon V2+‘s, but they only have a few sizes available right now. My question is what would be the best lay out with what is available? My thoughts were 3x24” spread out evenly across the tank left to right facing front to back. Kind of like my lights are now. Or 2x50” and one 24” at the end. Or maybe someone else has an idea. The downside to the 50” is that I have two center braces that will block the light and possibly melt depending on the light intensity and heat from the lights. It is mainly a sps tank, but it does have lps and softies in there too. Thoughts?

 

[Acskippy]

I am switching my lights up because my current LED’s are garbage. Anyway my tank is about 6’x35” deep x 28” tall. I am looking at the Photon V2+‘s, but they only have a few sizes available right now. My question is what would be the best lay out with what is available? My thoughts were 3x24” spread out evenly across the tank left to right facing front to back. Kind of like my lights are now. Or 2x50” and one 24” at the end. Or maybe someone else has an idea. The downside to the 50” is that I have two center braces that will block the light and possibly melt depending on the light intensity and heat from the lights. It is mainly a sps tank, but it does have lps and softies in there too. Thoughts?

Run my tanks w similar dims, 2 ap700’s or 2 AI Hydras or 2 Orphek v4 (3 diff tanks) PLENTY strong for sps. 10”from water surface

 

[PhantomHalo]

Run my tanks w similar dims, 2 ap700’s or 2 AI Hydras or 2 Orphek v4 (3 diff tanks) PLENTY strong for sps. 10”from water surface

Only 2? Do you have full tank coverage? I do have some stuff on the sand bed as well.

 

[RCS82]

I think the only way you would melt your center brace is to put your lighting resting right on it. If you want to go all LED and SPS strong then you have picked a great option already. The Photon is probably your best bang for your buck. Might seem excessive but 4 - 32" or 36" units (2 rows of 2 units butted up) could be a great option for par and coverage.

 

[PhantomHalo]

I think the only way you would melt your center brace is to put your lighting resting right on it. If you want to go all LED and SPS strong then you have picked a great option already. The Photon is probably your best bang for your buck. Might seem excessive but 4 - 32" or 36" units (2 rows of 2 units butted up) could be a great option for par and coverage.

I would love to do that, but they are in available at the moment. Not sure when they will be back in stock. Losing my SPS coloring as we speak due to poor lighting. I looked at the AP700’s as well, but I think I would need 3 minimum for full coverage in the tank.

 

[RCS82]

Are you open to T5s or metal halides?

 

[PhantomHalo]

Are you open to T5s or metal halides?

Not really. Not set up for the heat of the halides. T-5’s maybe in addition to the leds.

 

[Ziggy10]

I am running 4 radions gen4 pro on my 250g (60”x 36” x 27”)
Good coverage and results.
It may works as good for you if you will mount them 16” above water line.

 

[PhantomHalo]

I am running 4 radions gen4 pro on my 250g (60”x 36” x 27”)
Good coverage and results.
It may works as good for you if you will mount them 16” above water line.

Radions aren’t bad, but I’m trying to limit how many units I am getting due to mounting and plug requirements in my hood and tank area.

 

[Byrd]

I have a 72x30x30 and went with 3 of the v2 24s. I'm not fully set up right now or I would show you pics but my choice was based off the recommendation from a rep at reef breeders. They also can give you a 10% discount if you call them and request one.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Run my tanks w similar dims, 2 ap700’s or 2 AI Hydras or 2 Orphek v4 (3 diff tanks) PLENTY strong for sps. 10”from water surface

NOT A CHANCE! There is NO way 2 AP700 or 2 Hydras would do the job. I think you would have to have 6 of either of Those lights. You could get 3 x 24" Orphek v4's and have great lighting, but they are also one of the most expensive options available.

 

[PhantomHalo]

I have a 72x30x30 and went with 3 of the v2 24s. I'm not fully set up right now or I would show you pics but my choice was based off the recommendation from a rep at reef breeders. They also can give you a 10% discount if you call them and request one.

Sweet! I will ask them! I sent them an email the other day, but haven’t heard a response yet. Don’t know if they are closed or not with what is going on right now. I need to order them soon though so I don’t lose any more corals.

 

[Byrd]

Sweet! I will ask them! I sent them an email the other day, but haven’t heard a response yet. Don’t know if they are closed or not with what is going on right now. I need to order them soon though so I don’t lose any more corals.

Yeah they didn't respond to my email either so after a couple days I called and reached them on the first call. I ordered in the beginning of April which most areas was closed for covid-19 at that time.

 

[PhantomHalo]

Yeah they didn't respond to my email either so after a couple days I called and reached them on the first call. I ordered in the beginning of April which most areas was closed for covid-19 at that time.

I’ll try to call them tomorrow then. Wasn’t too sure if three would be enough, but down the line maybe I can add some t-5s to help supplement and add to the spectrum. Love the way the AP700’s spectrum is mixed and the shimmer look, but I think the Photons might have a bigger footprint.

 

[PhantomHalo]

After looking at them further I think I am going to try three AP700’s. I think I may need to add t-5’s down the line depending on how I can get these to spread.