Lighting 30" Tank

[Kygo]

Looking for some suggestions to light a 30" standard 29 gallon. Currently running a viparspectra black box, so just looking for something to upgrade to. I'm looking for something with a good spectrum and nice deep blues. I've found the 30" tank is the awkward middle between 1 larger led and 2 pucks. Looking to spend no more than 600. Mainly been considering 2 ai primes since I have a buddy who runs them and swears by them, I like the color (prime HD non 16's). I'm just trying to see what else is out there. Also considered a maxspect razor 100w, a kessil ap700 or 2 160's, and a redsea reefer but I've heard they have some issues and unknown longer longevity. Anyone have experience with these lights? I thought the ap700 would be perfect but heard they have issues? I'm partial towards kessils since I've used an a80 in the past. I prioritize app controllability in order to create a ramp up and down schedule without buying an external controller. Thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

Save a little more and get the ap9x kessil. I've seen one on a tank and they are very nice.

 

[Kygo]

Save a little more and get the ap9x kessil. I've seen one on a tank and they are very nice.

Felt like that was gonna be brought up hahah. What do you use on your tank/tanks?

 

[Kygo]

If i bumped the price up to 900, I was thinking about a GHL mitras, anyone know how the LX 7206 would square up with the ap9x?

 

[Jekyl]

If i bumped the price up to 900, I was thinking about a GHL mitras, anyone know how the LX 7206 would square up with the ap9x?

Haven't heard of anyone using the GHL so who knows. I use 2 kessil 360s on my tank and have nothing bad to say.

 

[piranhaman00]

24” 8bulb T5

 

[ca1ore]

What are you planning to keep? Answer will be different SPS, LPS, zoas ..... well, hopefully you get the idea. Pair of 160 would do the trick for most I’d think. I’ve had many of the 80, 160, various incarnations of the 360 and the 380. Have had multiple 360/380 failures but none of the 80 or 160.

 

[Jon's Reef]

1 a360x with 2 led bars

 

[Kygo]

24” 8bulb T5

I feel like that's overkill for a 12" wide tank, no?

 

[Kygo]

What are you planning to keep? Answer will be different SPS, LPS, zoas ..... well, hopefully you get the idea. Pair of 160 would do the trick for most I’d think. I’ve had many of the 80, 160, various incarnations of the 360 and the 380. Have had multiple 360/380 failures but none of the 80 or 160.

Mixed with sps near the top. Mostly lps

 

[Kygo]

1 a360x with 2 led bars

That's a good option. I don't think I'd need the par of that, but it would reduce a lot of shadowing. Do you think 1 bar would also work? The tank is pretty narrow, it's a standard 29 Gallon, so I believe it's only 12" deep or so.

 

[Kygo]

Does anyone know if the issues with the ap700 app were ever ironed out? The price on those now are around 550 and it seems like such a better deal to grab on of those then a 360x and a wifi dongle.

 

[Jon's Reef]

That's a good option. I don't think I'd need the par of that, but it would reduce a lot of shadowing. Do you think 1 bar would also work? The tank is pretty narrow, it's a standard 29 Gallon, so I believe it's only 12" deep or so.

Ah, a standard 29 gallon (30x13x19)

I would go with 1 a360x and 2 of the 24" actinic RB lumilite strips (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/blue-lumi-lite-strip-led-reef-brite.html).

The benefit of the a360x is that it can go to almost 0 intensity (where A160 can only go to ~13%). Also, if you upgrade someday you can always add a second. The lumilite strips will give you fill for shadows.

One thing to note, you do not have to mount the a360x in the middle. If you put a nice rock structure on the left, put SPS on top of that, then the strips will help to fill in the right side where you might put softies and LPS.