how many Ecotech lighting for my mix reef aquarium

garyfri · Jul 1, 2020

Good afternoon,
I have purchased the IM 200 EXT. It is different measurements than most. Length: 70.9" (1800.86mm) Width: 30" (762mm) Height: 21.7" (551.18mm). It is an euro-brace tank so I will have to either use the 70 long to mount it or something as the single arm does not work. I have watched the BRS video on the Radion XR15 and XR30 gen 5. but still have questions and read the sticky threads in here. I am going to have a mixed reef tank which they do not address. So instead of maintaining constant SPS PARs across the tank can I maintain areas for SPS and lower for LPS? Would it be better for 4 XR 15s or 1 XR30 in the middle and 2 XR15 on each side? Thank you.

jda · Jul 1, 2020

Unfortunately, the PAR falls off pretty quick outside of the higher light cones. I would do at least a trio of xr30s, or 6x xr15s and spread them out a bit more. Even some G4s would be totally fine for a mixed reef if you want to save some money.

BTW - thank you for posting tank dimensions and not expecting us to know what an IM EXT tank is.

garyfri · Jul 1, 2020

thank you for the info jda. might start off with two rc30 and build up. those bad boys are expensive. BRS was saying on larger tank that you might get more PAR coverage with the 15s so that was why i was asking.

jda · Jul 1, 2020

There are lights that are just as good for a mixed reef for a fraction of the cost with better coverage. Look at some Photon v2 - like a pair of the 36" ones. ... or even some black boxes. You are paying for the tech with the Radions moreso than the light. Even a 6 bulb 60" T5 would do a great job and is cheaper.

garyfri · Jul 1, 2020

Thank. Trying to avoid hanging t5 from ceiling. wife no like. lol

garyfri · Jul 2, 2020

I think I am going to start out with 2 XR30 blue and then get two more before going with the SPS fully. The main reason is my tank is 30" wide. So later I can turn 4 of them vertically and get better and even par spread. Again I like the T5 hybrid but wife does not want hanging from ceiling. Thank you all for the help. If anything additional to add or help it would be greatly appreciated.

Aqua Splendor · Jul 3, 2020

I think it's a great plan to have less then add for the future, your tank is not that deep so you have a lot great potential choices.
They are many option also to avoid having something from the celling,metal bar that make a 'L' shape you can hang anything with that.

Billldg · Jul 3, 2020

The par value on a G4 drops off outside the cone, but on a G5 it doesn't due to the new led structure. BRS did a bunch of videos on the new G5's that will help out. What you have to worry about is the width. At 30" no single led will light it up properly. I just purchased a tank upgrade, a 72x30x24 Eurobraced 225 gal tank and I plan on going with a hybrid setup with 5 XR15 G5 Blues.