Best lighting for a 93 cube? 30" x 30" x 24"

theblackpearl · Sep 11, 2016

What do you think the best lighting would be for this tank?
I will be keeping a clam, an anemone, lots of lps and some softies
The tank is rimless and has a synergy overflow, the lights will be in a custom canopy
I will be using tonga complex branch rock and special grade sand

May the best light win

Jdmonealp · Sep 11, 2016

250w or 400w radium

Dashiki · Sep 11, 2016

Ati 8 bulb led combo. It's what I run on my cube it's amazing

theblackpearl · Sep 12, 2016

I really like the shimmer of the kessils but I like the idea of the radions and only having one light with no bulb changes

efigue02 · Sep 12, 2016

my 93 gallon cube

efigue02 · Sep 12, 2016

theblackpearl · Sep 12, 2016

efigue02 said:

So you are suggesting Kessil? lol

Jimbo · Sep 12, 2016

8 bulb ATI T5 with a Reefbrite or even better , 2 Reefbrite Royal Blues . Tough to beat

Dashiki · Sep 12, 2016

I had radion over mine and sold them to get the ati t5 combo. The radion will have a lot of shadowing if you only have one.

theblackpearl · Sep 12, 2016

Dashiki said:
I had radion over mine and sold them to get the ati t5 combo. The radion will have a lot of shadowing if you only have one.

shadowing with a xr30 gen 4?

Scurvy · Sep 13, 2016

Personally I would go with Radion over Kessil. I have Kessils on my tank and love the shimmer, I'm happy with coral color but not so happy with growth rates... Started with (2) 160WE and then added a 360 to the mix and I'm already thinking of changing to ASI or Radion. There's also not a lot of recommended light schedules out there for the Kessils that I've been able to find.

Scurvy · Sep 13, 2016

That being said, you'll be more than fine with any of the recommendations given based on what you're planning to keep.

theblackpearl · Sep 13, 2016

thatsnotbongwater said:
Personally I would go with Radion over Kessil. I have Kessils on my tank and love the shimmer, I'm happy with coral color but not so happy with growth rates... Started with (2) 160WE and then added a 360 to the mix and I'm already thinking of changing to ASI or Radion. There's also not a lot of recommended light schedules out there for the Kessils that I've been able to find.

The growth and shadowing is why I was thinking of adding a 4 bulb t5 with the kessil 360w tuna blue. I like the radion gen 4 but dont know if it will be enough for the 93cube by itself

what about a kessil ap700?

Dashiki · Sep 13, 2016

Don't pass on the t5's because of bulb changes. Check out polls of how long people own their led fixtures for. The selling and upgrading of led's is more of a hassle than spending 120$ a year on bulbs.

Winschuc · Sep 20, 2016

I used a reefbrite 400w radium w/ blue LED's for a while. It was a great light for the tank. Recently switched over to two Hydra 52's and they're working great as well.

Drauka99 · Sep 20, 2016

Mine has a Kessil 360WE and 6 - T5s , 4 Blue+, 1 Purple+, 1 Coral+. Kessil maxes out at 35% power, T5s for 8hrs a day.

reefwiser · Sep 20, 2016

Best with a Reefbrite MH LED combo. Plug it in and watch things grow.

theblackpearl · Sep 20, 2016

Drauka99 said:
Mine has a Kessil 360WE and 6 - T5s , 4 Blue+, 1 Purple+, 1 Coral+. Kessil maxes out at 35% power, T5s for 8hrs a day.

How long do you keep the kessil on for per day?

Drauka99 · Sep 20, 2016

It comes on about 7 am and goes out completely around 9 pm, from 10:30 to 5:00 pm its at 35% the rest of the time it is slowly ramping up and down. I have been slowly upping the time on the T5s and haven't adjusted the Kessil to match yet. Once the T5s are at 8 hours I will probably slowly up the time at 35% on the Kessil to match. this setup yeilds pretty much blanket coverage of 130-150 par on the sand, 350 or so about 4-6" under the water.