72" Lighting conundrum

[epracmetcon]

So I bought a 210 gallon tank, its 72x24x29. I currently have an original reefbreeders 48inch light over a 75 gallon. Right now I am trying to gather everything I need to get it up and running. My lighting budget is around $1000 right now. Wondering if I should just run the reefbreeders now and supplement it on the ends. Supplement with t5's. Buy some cheap chinese boxes to supplement. Buy new v2 reefbreeders. Im leaning towards the cheap chinese boxes to get it up and going until I can either put hydra 52's over it or orpheks.

Thoughts, opinions?

 

[LJLKRL05]

I have the same size tank with two black plastic braces at the top. Get something that will fit between the braces or the shadows will drive you nuts.
I have two 32 inch reefbreeders v2 and the shadows are killing me.

 

[bif24701]

Look into SB Reef lights, very capable lights for a budget. I know the owner personally and these are not the average “Black Box”. Mike has purpose built each of his lights to provide ideal spectrum and quality with out the huge $$.

 

[BobNY]

I have the same size tank with two black plastic braces at the top. Get something that will fit between the braces or the shadows will drive you nuts.
I have two 32 inch reefbreeders v2 and the shadows are killing me.

I am thinking about replacing my 60" ATI T5 fixture with LED's on my 125g. I am trying to decide between 2 Orphek Atlantik's or 3 Radion Pro's. I like the idea of the Atlantik's, but worry about the 2 fixtures hanging above the braces. You have just swayed me closer to the Radion's.

 

[10Seconds]

I dont know what sort of tank you have but my 72” long tank is an SPS tank. If you are keeping corals and your budget is 1000 for all new I dont see it. Adding some t5 supplements would be IMO your best bet and wont break the bank. I would say add MH pendants but that wasnt listed as one of your options.

You will need much more for that length and depth. Radions? 4 minimum, 6 if heavy SPS. 2 Atlantiks will cover it better than many of the others you mentioned but again over your budget too.

By the way, my tank has two cross braces too, its a non issue. I am running a Giesemann Spectra on it now with reefbright LED supplements. Its probably the overall best option if going SPS but again, not for $1000.

 

[LJLKRL05]

I dont know what sort of tank you have but my 72” long tank is an SPS tank. If you are keeping corals and your budget is 1000 for all new I dont see it. Adding some t5 supplements would be IMO your best bet and wont break the bank. I would say add MH pendants but that wasnt listed as one of your options.

You will need much more for that length and depth. Radions? 4 minimum, 6 if heavy SPS. 2 Atlantiks will cover it better than many of the others you mentioned but again over your budget too.

By the way, my tank has two cross braces too, its a non issue. I am running a Giesemann Spectra on it now with reefbright LED supplements. Its probably the overall best option if going SPS but again, not for $1000.

Is that a T5 fixture? Do T5 lights somehow spread light better to eliminate the shadows?
I was told I should consider 6 radion xr15 pro lights instead of 3 xr30 pros to be able to spread them out more.

 

[bif24701]

Is that a T5 fixture? Do T5 lights somehow spread light better to eliminate the shadows?
I was told I should consider 6 radion xr15 pro lights instead of 3 xr30 pros to be able to spread them out more.

Sure, 6 XR15 allows you to spread the pucks out a little better for better distribution of light. That way your not limited by 2 pucks squeezes together on each fixture. So yea it’s a good way to do it.

T5 have the best spread and do eliminate shadows, too well in fact for my taste.

You could do a combination of T5 retro fits and LED if you have a hood. No hood you could do it but will want to be more choosy because it could look like a mess above your tank.

 

[bif24701]

You could go with a basic ATI fixture with 8 bulbs. Fixture + 8 bulbs will be under your 1,000$ budget. It’s a basic light but a very good one and you can grow what ever you like under it no problem.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-ati-sunpower-high-output-t5-light-fixture.html

 

[DancingShark]

Three sb reef lights on a 72 inch 125g.
70%blue 40%white.
I think it was about $600.

 

[epracmetcon]

Look into SB Reef lights, very capable lights for a budget. I know the owner personally and these are not the average “Black Box”. Mike has purpose built each of his lights to provide ideal spectrum and quality with out the huge $$.

Thought about just getting 4 of their basic boxes, just to get it up and going.

I dont know what sort of tank you have but my 72” long tank is an SPS tank. If you are keeping corals and your budget is 1000 for all new I dont see it. Adding some t5 supplements would be IMO your best bet and wont break the bank. I would say add MH pendants but that wasnt listed as one of your options.

You will need much more for that length and depth. Radions? 4 minimum, 6 if heavy SPS. 2 Atlantiks will cover it better than many of the others you mentioned but again over your budget too.

By the way, my tank has two cross braces too, its a non issue. I am running a Giesemann Spectra on it now with reefbright LED supplements. Its probably the overall best option if going SPS but again, not for $1000.

This is just a temporary option to get the tank up and running. While I do plan on SPS, whatever option I choose, will not be the long term option. I did consider MH, but I don't want the heat. I will probably end up with orpheks or hydra's over it, 6 months down the road.

Sure, 6 XR15 allows you to spread the pucks out a little better for better distribution of light. That way your not limited by 2 pucks squeezes together on each fixture. So yea it’s a good way to do it.

T5 have the best spread and do eliminate shadows, too well in fact for my taste.

You could do a combination of T5 retro fits and LED if you have a hood. No hood you could do it but will want to be more choosy because it could look like a mess above your tank.

I do have a hood, and considered adding 4, 60" t5 retro's to the reefbreeders light inside the hood.

 

[epracmetcon]

Well, as an update. I ended up getting an ATI 8x80w sunpower for a good price that was a scratch/dent unit. Since it will be going inside of a hood, it wasn't a big deal.