Driving myself nuts...

[K-Philly]

I have a 100G long tank (72x18x17) and I have been trying to research lighting. I want to keep most everything and will eventually probably move to SPS dominant. Originally I thought maybe 3 Ai Prime HDs would be just fine due to my tank’s dimensions. But after reading and watching more videos I am worried that these lights won’t be able to support SPS anywhere but at the top of the rock. (Which I could be overthinking it)

I would possibly due two Hydra 26 HDs but I’m also worried about my tank’s bracing. I fear that it could cause shadowing. For the sake of my sanity can someone please offer some insight? Haha, I will post a picture or two of my tank below.

 

[ccombs]

I am no expert, but your tank is not insanely deep, just really long. I have been learning with everything in this hobby, lower power, well distributed approaches seem to do better than higher power with less sources. Good luck! I am sure you will get much more specific advice on this forum.

 

[cracker]

I really like the t5's . A couple of these at the proper length would do all You want. Check out the ATI dimmable's . they come in various color specs for your whir or blue tastes.
not as pricey as led but you have to replace bulbs. Just a suggestion.

 

[jda]

If you want to just use the Hydras, then the 52s will probably be better. If you want to use a hybrid with 4x T5s, then the 26s might be OK.

Remember that intensity is not the only battle... coverage and shadowing is the main reason that most people who use Radions or Hydras over SPS tanks end up with more units or T5s. They produce a cone of nice and strong light, but it is narrow and does not cover a 2x2 area. Even where it does cover, there are shadows when the corals get large.

You are right to worry about shadowing, but remember that the two pucks in the 52 are only a few inches apart and still will shadow quite a bit. Some people will buy 6x 26s and spread them out more if not using T5s.

 

[mshonk]

Three black boxes. You'll have enough to get 300-350 par on the bottom of the tank. Plus you'll save money.

 

[K-Philly]

Three black boxes. You'll have enough to get 300-350 par on the bottom of the tank. Plus you'll save money.

What would you recommend? I was looking at the reefbreeders Coral Moon box plus. I’d like to have something controllable as well. I like my daytime and nighttime cycles.

 

[Jvesche20]

I use ocean revive t247. They are black boxes. $200 each I have 3 on my system. My lfs uses them also

 

[Jvesche20]

With the t247 you have a blue and a white mode. I turn blue mode on first in the morning for few hours then white comes on then white goes off hour before lights go off

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I would do 3 black boxes like the SB Reefs or if you budget allows 3 XR-30s. Used gen 3s can be found fairly cheap now.

 

[mshonk]

What would you recommend? I was looking at the reefbreeders Coral Moon box plus. I’d like to have something controllable as well. I like my daytime and nighttime cycles.

I think for more of the inexpensive black boxes you can only control two channels intensity for the whole photo period and on and on and off times. So the goodies you are looking for aren't there but I know the par is. I have a bloomspect which is comparable to the viparaspectra. I see 350 par in the bottom center of my tank with it turned up 100% on both channels. That is 12" above the water and at a tank depth of 16". So it is fairly close to your tank depth. I also have an sps dominant tank and mind you I prefer white light. I beleive a lumini astra 120 is a less expensive pendant with the controllablity you want but I am unsure of its intensity.

 

[K-Philly]

I probably should have mentioned that I just purchased an Apex classic controller today. I'm still looking into the SB Reef lights, but the t247 look really good! I would like to have ramping capability though. Can that be achieved via Apex?

 

[K-Philly]

I think for more of the inexpensive black boxes you can only control two channels intensity for the whole photo period and on and on and off times. So the goodies you are looking for aren't there but I know the par is. I have a bloomspect which is comparable to the viparaspectra. I see 350 par in the bottom center of my tank with it turned up 100% on both channels. That is 12" above the water and at a tank depth of 16". So it is fairly close to your tank depth. I also have an sps dominant tank and mind you I prefer white light. I beleive a lumini astra 120 is a less expensive pendant with the controllablity you want but I am unsure of its intensity.

Tank looks great! Unless I am mistaken, the Reefbreeders Coral Moonbox is ramp capable and can be set on daytime and night time cycles.

 

[mshonk]

Tank looks great! Unless I am mistaken, the Reefbreeders Coral Moonbox is ramp capable and can be set on daytime and night time cycles.

Thanks! Yeah it can and emulate storms too but it states for nano and picos. I would look into that. Have you read the black box study thread and the par database thread. You might find useful info there. My light was only $100 and I couldn't be happier.

 

[K-Philly]

Thanks! Yeah it can and emulate storms too but it states for nano and picos. I would look into that. Have you read the black box study thread and the par database thread. You might find useful info there. My light was only $100 and I couldn't be happier.

Yeah, I knew it was for nano tanks but I feel like even though my tank is as large as it is it has more nano like dimensions. I could be looking at it wrong though. I will definitely check out the PAR database thread though!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Imo , if you have an apex. Stack as many Sb B.B. as you can the length of the tank. No shadows from bracing that way.
The apex hack is on YouTube.
At 12in mounting height you cone about a 19 x 14 area.

At 12in the max par is about 700.

 

[K-Philly]

Imo , if you have an apex. Stack as many Sb B.B. as you can the length of the tank. No shadows from bracing that way.
The apex hack is on YouTube.
At 12in mounting height you cone about a 19 x 14 area.

At 12in the max par is about 700.

The SB lights seem to be getting quite a few mentions, I am about to give them a detailed look. Y'all are awesome, I appreciate the help!

So far I have been able to decipher mostly everything for build. Except for the lights, and a few other topics!

 

[K-Philly]

Question though, which of the models are we exactly talking about?

 

[Salty Lemon]

Three black boxes. You'll have enough to get 300-350 par on the bottom of the tank. Plus you'll save money.

I have three black boxes on my tank -- not too fancy but they seem to do the trick. I got them for super cheap off of wish.com. They are great to start with. It is a newer tank, however, I don't have any acros. The only sps I have so far are montis.

 

[MnFish1]

There is no right or wrong answer - you can see my build thread - I have 2 radion xr30s. Evenly spaced. There are darker - and lighter areas in the tank - which I actually prefer. The coral will grow how - where it wants to grow. Having some less bright areas at higher up in the tank also allows for more variety. I would think you would need 3 of these lights for that tank - with the middle brace that may be an issue though.

 

[mshonk]

I have three black boxes on my tank -- not too fancy but they seem to do the trick. I got them for super cheap off of wish.com. They are great to start with. It is a newer tank, however, I don't have any acros. The only sps I have so far are montis.

Not fancy I agree but I love mine.