Lighting a 40B

[ImGoingCoastal]

So I'm about to upgrade from my Nuvo 20 back to my 40B. I currently have a gen 2 Radion XR30W hovering over the 20. Obviously a tank upgrade needs a lighting upgrade. I was thinking about shoving the radion in an aquaticlife 24" hybrid fixture but have been wondering if I should go with a 36".

Aesthetically, I think the 24" light would look better and since I like to keep things away from the glass I figured wall to wall coverage isn't necessary. Plus the drop off in light at the edges would be a great place to put less light demanding coral.

Was hoping for opinions on the 24" vice 36" given the tank is 36".

Oh and disclaimer, cost is an issue since I just had a baby!

Thanks!

 

[CNDReef]

If you stay at 24” you’ll definitely have less light spill and can potentially raise the fixture a bit for better blending maintenance in the tank would also be easier if the lights are higher. If you’re doing low light corals on the sides this would also be helpful being the smaller fixture.

 

[ImGoingCoastal]

Thanks! Thats my thinking as well, was just being paranoid that it wouldn't be enough.

 

[CNDReef]

If you were going full out sps I’d say more is better but that would limit what lower light corals you could get.

 

[legionofdoon]

I have a 24 MH T5 set up and I'm glad it's not 36. Even at 24 there y some light spillage, even with just the MH on.

 

[ImGoingCoastal]

Awesome. I appreciate the responses. 24" it is!