Lightin a 30in+ depth tank

[Reefrookie220]

Hey guys, been dormant in both the hobby and these forums way too long. That being said, I’m getting a tank going in the near future and the dimensions are 48x24x31. Tallest tank I’ve had to date. What’s everyone with the depths of 25+ using these days? I’m ruling out halides from the go because they don’t fit my situation currently, other than than bring on any input, suggestions, or any info you got for me. Great to be back!

TLDR -New tank is 31in deep, looking for lighting suggestions.

 

[Jubei2006]

Using ghl mitras 7206 x 4 and 7204 x 2 to light up my 84(L)x48(W)x30(H). Got a birds birdsnest, montipora, and stylopora coloring up nicely at midway down with lights about 14 to 15 inches off the waters surface.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Leds with 60deg optics or 80deg optics. Lots of ppl using defusers these days to try and mix the colors and get spread with little shadowing.
I'm gonna say a basic 6 or 8 bulb t5 light too if u don't mind buying bulbs every yr. Lol.
D

 

[Reefrookie220]

If I can fit it all in a canopy, I’ve considered a hybrid T5/LED unit

I'm gonna say a basic 6 or 8 bulb t5 light too if u don't mind buying bulbs every yr. Lol.
D

I’ll look into the Mitras, thank you!

Using ghl mitras 7206 x 4 and 7204 x 2 to light up my 84(L)x48(W)x30(H). Got a birds birdsnest, montipora, and stylopora coloring up nicely at midway down with lights about 14 to 15 inches off the waters surface.

If I can fit it all in a canopy, I’ve considered a hybrid T5/LED unit.

 

[Bpb]

Reef breeders photon v2 punches that deep no problem.

 

[Reefrookie220]

Reef breeders photon v2 punches that deep no problem.

Looking at these with a quick once over, the appearance and arrangement of diodes looks off to me, like it’d cause the dreaded disco look. Any thoughts/experience?

 

[Bpb]

Looking at these with a quick once over, the appearance and arrangement of diodes looks off to me, like it’d cause the dreaded disco look. Any thoughts/experience?

I’ve used them for a while. They’re about aligned with most other popular led brands with how much disco effect is present. Similar to what you’d find out of the pre-gen5 radions without diffusers, or AI hydras from what I’ve seen in person. Not as good at blending colors obviously as a kessil or something with an opaque diffuser. It’s never been something that has bothered me about them though honestly. And I cut my reef teeth on metal halides and t5ho so I know how a tank looks with well blended spectrum.

Right now I use two of the photon v2 50 units over a 60”x24”x24” tank. It’s overkill but I wanted a full blanket of even light. At 50% blues and violets, 25% whites I’m getting 200 or so par on most of the sandbed with the lights 13” off the water. Light penetration is no problem due to the tighter optics than you’ll find on more boutique options. But with that comes the cost of spread, so up high the light is pretty focused right under the lights. At 30” deep they should spread out fine.

End of the day they’re a budget option compared to putting a bunch of
Orphek icons or Kessil a500x units over the tank. They’re by no means a unicorn light. They’ve got their set backs, but are more than capable of punching that deep.


Another option would be a handful or Orphek bars. Also have real tight optics that punch deep. Disco may be an issue with them but I have no experience with those. Any light with individual optic lenses over individual colors can and will have some degree of disco. The higher you mount them, the less severe it’ll be

 

[Brucealmighty]

I have a pair of red sea led160s lights I have the same depth aquarium as you, before getting these lights I tried fluvial marine led at 300 pounds and didn't grow coral, I then went and spent another 300 on some led's called dsuny which were Chinese to save on cost they were OK for about 12 months but then packed in, so I decided to go to my lfs and ask what they had as they sold me the tank, I walked out with a second hand 400 pound cyrex led light which was made in Russia it turned out, it was better than the dsuny set and I was happy for another year or so move forward to this year and they failed so I said a rather naughty swear word and said I am buying the red sea led's now because of the advertised 32 inches squared coverage I was not sure how just two lamps would light my aquarium but since putting my red sea led's on my blastomussa on the near bottom of my tank is taking off rocket style and my fish have shadows underneath them on the sand which I don't remember having seen before, my opinion is that these are the best lights I have had to date and I would recommend them, although they may be to disco affect for you although you can turn off the whites if you so wish

 

[Jubei2006]

The mitras have been good to me so far. I have noticeable growth in my birdsnest and montiporas (obviously the LPS and softies are growing) as well as good coloration and returning color after being in quarantine for 2 months and getting ticked off. The 7206 have 6 pucks in the light. So sorta like the kessil with a dense cluster of light. However they have the 6 puck arrangement, so the light is more spread out than the kessil. At 8 to 10 inches off the water it'll definately give penetration deeper than your tank is. Discoball is not an issue, and there is appreciable shimmer, just not to the degree of the kessils.

 

[Spare time]

Kessil a500x's work well for deep tanks.

 

[Reefrookie220]

Kessil a500x's work well for deep tanks.

not in the budget, unfortunately. I love the look they give.

 

[Spare time]

not in the budget, unfortunately. I love the look they give.

What sort of price range are you looking to stay under? I can put together a list of them if you'd like.

 

[Reefrookie220]

What sort of price range are you looking to stay under? I can put together a list of them if you'd like.

After looking into it further, I think I’m gonna go with the red sea 160s. Idk yet though. So maybe the budget is blown already!

 

[Brucealmighty]

In my humble opinion it is a good choice and they come with a 2 year warranty so is a bit more peace of mind than the amazon ones

 

[Spare time]

After looking into it further, I think I’m gonna go with the red sea 160s. Idk yet though. So maybe the budget is blown already!

That can work. I was also gonna throw in the reef brite lumi lite and lumi lite pro strips (check out the 2 brs videos) if you want to save some money.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I saw some economic cannon lights for sale on the classifieds here for a good price.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Exexotic*

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ecoexotic