If you were me, what would you do?

[Steve1500]

Ok, I am taking the plunge. I am upgrading my 75G mixed reef to a Waterbox 230G (169G DT) and I need some help with the lighting. The Waterbox 7226 is a 72"L peninsula tank and I am having difficulty selecting a lighting system. I currently have a Aquatic Life Hybrid 48" with four T5's and two Radion Pro 15s. But I am concerned the 48" T5's just won't cover the 72" tank, so I need some ideas on how to light this thing. I plan on having mostly LPS/SPS and about 15 fish in the tank.

I am finishing my basement, so I have some flexibility. I will place the tank right next to a small closet to act as a fish room.

Couple of questions/points to keep in mind:
I would like to have some type of canopy over the tank.
I prefer Radions....can I get away with 4 Radions?
Are there any 72" T5 bulbs and fixtures out there?

If cost was not significant factor, What would you do if you were me? Any pictures of similar setups?

Thanks!

 

[Jen_h]

What if you bought 2 t5 retro fit kits for the front and back but also had your choice of leds in the middle? It would be basically the same ati powermodule or Giesemann Aurora. T5/led combo

 

[Steve1500]

What if you bought 2 t5 retro fit kits for the front and back but also had your choice of leds in the middle? It would be basically the same ati powermodule or Giesemann Aurora. T5/led combo

How long can the kits extend to? Do you mean 4 kits total? Thanks!!!!

 

[Amoo]

@Steve1500 If it were me I would do exactly what WWC/BRS Videos show and use the 4 Radions and get 2 sets of 36" T5s.

 

[ilyad]

If you have a 48inch fixture already, that leaves only 1 foot on each side from the total tank length. According to Ecotech, a G4 XR30 PRO has a coverage of 36 inches. The fixture itself is just shy of 12, meaning that it gives light up to a foot on each side. Obviously there is a drop off in the par amount on the edges, but I would think you can get away with putting the XR30's on very edges of the Aquatic Life fixture. In all, 4 would fit that fixture one after the other. You would definitely have a a ton of light on the inner 4 feet of the tank, and less as you move away. However, on a peninsula style, you would want to leave room around the perimeter anyways to allow for fish swimming room, cleaning glass away from breaking coral, etc. Worst case scenario, later you can add some kessil pendant lights on the corners angled in towards the center of the tank (and probably can make some sort of DIY bracket that will connect to the Aquatic Life fixture) which will add extra light and decrease shadowing on the lower part of the tank as things grow in.

Edit: in the alternative, you can also just push the light fixture towards the back wall part of the tank so it'll have full lighting like the first 5 feet of the tank and then have two feet that are progressively less lit. you can prob play with some rock designs to create negative space on one end allowing for more of a "beach look" and in result more swimming room for fish. Even in this scenario, you can add two kessil pendants on one end.

This is the person I saw the Kessil idea from and thought it looks pretty cool. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZSqCXB637/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

 

[Jen_h]

How long can the kits extend to? Do you mean 4 kits total? Thanks!!!!

Right, the largest one they have is 60” if you get the super slim dual

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@Steve1500 If it were me I would do exactly what WWC/BRS Videos show and use the 4 Radions and get 2 sets of 36" T5s.

Yup. This.

 

[Steve1500]

@Steve1500 If it were me I would do exactly what WWC/BRS Videos show and use the 4 Radions and get 2 sets of 36" T5s.

 

[Steve1500]

Thanks I will check it out

 

[cracker]

I have the ATI 6 bulb T5 & love it.

 

[Steve1500]

@Steve1500 If it were me I would do exactly what WWC/BRS Videos show and use the 4 Radions and get 2 sets of 36" T5s.

Thanks Amoo, I searched BRS for this video and had no luck. Any suggestions on where to find it?

 

[madweazl]

If it's going in a basement and you'll be running a canopy, you largely have the freedom to do what you want; basements are usually cooler so metal halides are likely a viable solution without a chiller (use a few fans instead). That is probably the direction I'd go "if it were me" but if you really want to stick with the Radions, I'd buy three more and run four, 36" T5 (e.g. LET retrofits) with them. The canopy would need to be quiet tall to match what WWC is doing (18-21" above the water line IIRC).

 

[Amoo]

Thanks Amoo, I searched BRS for this video and had no luck. Any suggestions on where to find it?

This playlist: Video 2 and 3

 

[Servillius]

Ok, I am taking the plunge. I am upgrading my 75G mixed reef to a Waterbox 230G (169G DT) and I need some help with the lighting. The Waterbox 7226 is a 72"L peninsula tank and I am having difficulty selecting a lighting system. I currently have a Aquatic Life Hybrid 48" with four T5's and two Radion Pro 15s. But I am concerned the 48" T5's just won't cover the 72" tank, so I need some ideas on how to light this thing. I plan on having mostly LPS/SPS and about 15 fish in the tank.

I am finishing my basement, so I have some flexibility. I will place the tank right next to a small closet to act as a fish room.

Couple of questions/points to keep in mind:
I would like to have some type of canopy over the tank.
I prefer Radions....can I get away with 4 Radions?
Are there any 72" T5 bulbs and fixtures out there?

If cost was not significant factor, What would you do if you were me? Any pictures of similar setups?

Thanks!

I’d go with the 60” ATI. The 48” ATI is perfect for my 60” tank.

 

[davocean]

I too would absolutely go T5/LED combo, efficient, low heat, great growth and shimmer