Center braces and lighting options for 210.

[JCTReefer]

The new tank will predominantly LPS with some softies mixed in. Here’s a lay out of the new tank looking down. Tank dimensions are 72”x24”x28” tall.

Radions? X 4
I’ve been been researching the new Radions gen 5s. I’ve read about popping noises and loud fan issues with these lights running at higher intensities. If I went this route I’d likely go with 4 Xr15 G5’s. One light between each brace. Exact spacing will be determined with apogee mq510 on all options.

AI Hydra 32 x 4
I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading on the hydras also. Watched all the videos from BRS also. And been doing a lot of reading on this forum. I like the app and the ease of programming on these lights. User platform seems user friendly. Same scenario with 4 lights.

Photon V2+ 32 x 2
My current tank uses a 24 inch Photon V2. It’s been a great light and grows coral. Customer service is outstanding also. Programming takes while through a dedicated controller, but once it’s set, no big deal. I’ve read the Photon uses some of the same diodes as the AI lights. If I went this route I’d go with 2 of the 32 inch fixtures. Looking at the spacing of the led banks from the bottom, I could probably space things out to where the center brace would fall in the middle of the banks. So I’d have a cluster on each side of the braces. There not a lot of research on these lights being tested or compared to other brands out there. I would love to see some testing be done.

So out of all these options, I’m not sure what the best bet would be for shadowing of the braces, dependability, quietness, light spill vs height, light coverage, etc. I’m not sure there is a “Best” option. I’ve read all the recommended mounting heights for the hydra and radions on the recent Brs videos.
On my current light there seems to be better blending with the Photon at 12 inches or so above the water line.

Any thoughts or or opinions would be great!
What would you go with? Which route and why?

 

[jda]

With those choices, I would get a pair of 3' Photons. Softies and LPS would be large colonies in my tanks in no time and I would not be happy with the shadowing from Radion or Hydra.

You are right... best is in the eye of the beholder and softies and LPS are not all that demanding, so what makes the most sense to you?

Most 72 inch tanks have only two braces, so maybe you can cut down from 3 to 2... this will help with a lot of things.

 

[JCTReefer]

With those choices, I would get a pair of 3' Photons. Softies and LPS would be large colonies in my tanks in no time and I would not be happy with the shadowing from Radion or Hydra.

You are right... best is in the eye of the beholder and softies and LPS are not all that demanding, so what makes the most sense to you?

Most 72 inch tanks have only two braces, so maybe you can cut down from 3 to 2... this will help with a lot of things.

I honestly don’t know the best route. I was kinda leaning towards the Photons. I’ve researched until I’m blue in the face. Same goes for return pumps. Varios, Vectra, Red dragon, Abyzz, too many choices. Stick with A/C for dependability. Go with DC for quietness. Lots of decisions to be made. I think the only decision I’ve made so far is on the sump. Ha. The tank is being made by custom aquariums, and this is their design so far as the bracing goes. The top and bottom trim is made out of anodized aluminum. I’m guessing the braces are also. Unlike most tanks, the braces are removable for aquascaping purposes with the tank empty. I’m afraid it would be a structural issue if I removed one when the tank is full. I could always ask if the very center brace could be removed, but I’d know what they’d say. I’m not sure what the width of the bracing is. The way the Photons LEDs are laid out might be the best option. Here’s the layout of the lights. If I could position the reefbreeders logo directly over a brace, that might be the best placement. This is a single 32. The coverage guide/spread for this fixture is. FOWLR/Softies: 44" x 24" x 36", Mixed Reef: 42" x 24" x 30", SPS: 38" x 24" x 30"