48" Light On 72" Tank?

[Forsaken77]

I was going to put a 48" light, with 120 degree lenses, on a 72" tank. Theoretically, I think this should get light to the sides if placed dead center with 120 degree optics. This is also a FOWLR 180, so no corals to worry about.

Will this work, or will the sides be dark?

 

[EriksOasis]

It would work just fine if you put it directly in the center high enough above water level to get good light spread.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup^^^^.

It's only 12in on either side.
If it doesn't work well with the lenses , actually pull some of them.

 

[Forsaken77]

Yup^^^^.

It's only 12in on either side.
If it doesn't work well with the lenses , actually pull some of them.

Well it's the original Current USA Maribe Orbit. Someone here told me that light would be good for a FOWLR tank because it has a wider spread on the led's and they don't make a 72" version of the original marine, only up to 48-60" (which is 48 inches long without the legs).

I was planning on using the Current Tank Mounts for this, so I don't know how high I can get it. I also thought I read that the tank mount doesn't fit a 180, but can't confirm it. So I'll have to get a mount to see for myself.

 

[Hitman]

Light will be fine for a fowlr tank. The mount will not work as it will not fit on a tank top more the 1/2” I tried it on my 240 and not a chance!

 

[Daltrey]

I have two of those 36” tied together over my 72” tank. Will take $200 shipped if you are interested. Just upgraded to radion xr30w. Pm me if interested.

 

[Hitman]

Here’s what a 48-60” current marine looks like on a 72” tank with white at 45% and blues at 100% and a 2 bulb 48” T5 Lamp with ATI Blue plus and ATI actinic bulbs. Had to use these on my 240 while I was waiting for my 6 AI’s to arrive. For a fowlr tank I would have left it as I liked the look as the ends reminded me of the end of a reef look.

 

[Forsaken77]

Light will be fine for a fowlr tank. The mount will not work as it will not fit on a tank top more the 1/2” I tried it on my 240 and not a chance!

So this doesn't apply: "Fits tanks up to: 1” thick or with 1” frame?" That's in the description on MD btw. But I know the info isn't always accurate.

Did you end up keeping the light, or using the legs? Or use a Guiseman mounting option instead?

 

[Forsaken77]

Here’s what a 48-60” current marine looks like on a 72” tank with white at 45% and blues at 100% and a 2 bulb 48” T5 Lamp with ATI Blue plus and ATI actinic bulbs. Had to use these on my 240 while I was waiting for my 6 AI’s to arrive. For a fowlr tank I would have left it as I liked the look as the ends reminded me of the end of a reef look.

Is that the original Orbit, or the Pro? I also have 3 AI Primes that I could use. Right now I have 1 fully lighting a 93 cube and it's growing Xenia (as nutrient export). So if 1 can light a 30x30 than 3 could do 72 inches.

I just feel like the direct beam of led light is affecting my fish's eyes. That's why someone suggested the much less focused led's on the Current USA original.

 

[Hitman]

They happen to fit on my 55 with a little wiggling so th y are on it now. When I used it for a few days on my 240 I just placed the light on the center 2 braces as the light has a soft clear rubbery cover that has very little heat then placed my t5 fixture next to it for my corals. To be honest if you think you may ever do any kind of Coral, Anemone, zoa’s or anything else just wait and save your money for a better low coast option like the SB Reeflights as the normal current USA marines PAR sucks for a tank your size. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Hitman]

Current USA PAR values for your light are on the left. Even low low light corals would have to be at 12” or higher in your tank to live. Most would have to be at 6” below water line with the light at the water line.

 

[Hitman]

Is that the original Orbit, or the Pro? I also have 3 AI Primes that I could use. Right now I have 1 fully lighting a 93 cube and it's growing Xenia (as nutrient export). So if 1 can light a 30x30 than 3 could do 72 inches.

I just feel like the direct beam of led light is affecting my fish's eyes. That's why someone suggested the much less focused led's on the Current USA original.

Mine is the normal Current USA Marine not the pro. If you have the AI’s they would be a much better option. Remember your 180 your moving to is deeper then your other tank. Or so I think. I would mount your AI’s at 10-12” above your tank to help with the spread. I have all 6 of my AI Sol Blues 10” above my tank and I have 350 PAR at the bottoms of my tank when they are at 100% which I never run. I have my whites at 15% and blues and royal blues at 70-75% max.
I have Montipora and Acro’s SPS corals growing at the sandbed. As well as up top.

 

[Forsaken77]

Mine is the normal Current USA Marine not the pro. If you have the AI’s they would be a much better option. Remember your 180 your moving to is deeper then your other tank. Or so I think. I would mount your AI’s at 10-12” above your tank to help with the spread. I have all 6 of my AI Sol Blues 10” above my tank and I have 350 PAR at the bottoms of my tank when they are at 100% which I never run. I have my whites at 15% and blues and royal blues at 70-75% max.
I have Montipora and Acro’s SPS corals growing at the sandbed. As well as up top.

The 180 is actually an inch more shallow. The 93 cube is 25", the 180 is 24".

I'm never going to keep corals, as a FOWLR is enough maintenance for me. Plus I enjoy the fish much more than coral. I know the PAR is terrible, but not a concern. Just want something that will light the tank and give a little pop to the fish colors.

I was also hoping a non-reef lighting option may keep algae more at bay being it's not so intense to promote algae growth. Don't know if this will make a difference though.

 

[Hitman]

Then the Current USA should work for you then. As for the algae if you run a refugium with chaeto and a high quality light then you should be able to keep your display tank pretty much algae free I would think.

 

[sullyman]

Under lighting a tank gives the fish shadows to go to, it's a stress free zone.............

 

[Forsaken77]

Under lighting a tank gives the fish shadows to go to, it's a stress free zone.............

Rockwork and caves give the fish hiding places, not shadows, but I get what you're trying to say. Regardless of the light, you're still going to have those caves and darker areas. I just wanted to know if the light would light up the whole tank. But according to others, the tank mount won't fit.

 

[Forsaken77]

Then the Current USA should work for you then. As for the algae if you run a refugium with chaeto and a high quality light then you should be able to keep your display tank pretty much algae free I would think.

Yeah, I know the whole refugium, ats, reactor scenario. I was just wondering if less intense lights will have the same impact on algae, meaning less of it.

 

[Reef Monkie]

Yeah, I know the whole refugium, ats, reactor scenario. I was just wondering if less intense lights will have the same impact on algae, meaning less of it.

My personal experience is that if you have less light but there are nutrients then you will just get cyano instead of the algae.