Lighting help for a 3ft drop off

[conorhayes13]

Hi all,

Would like some help choosing some lighting for my new tank. I have a 3ft drop off tank that is 2ft deep (front to back). At its deepest point, it is 2ft and 1.5ft at its shallow depth.

I am looking at 2 Kessil 360x, but reviews on them seem to be mixed. Would like to hear what you all use.

Many thanks

 

[jda]

Hard to penetrate 36" with any light. Best one might be a MH on a penetrating type of reflector (made to go deep, but not spread much). LEDs with narrow lenses can punch deep too, but can harm coral higher up. Good luck, deep tanks are not an easy problem to solve.

 

[JimFuller]

As you are talking about 3 long by 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide, I might suggest a couple to three AI HD Primes. They are rated for 24" square and to a depth of 24". I use 4 on a 75 Gallon with excellent coverage. I have SPS,LPS,and Softies. Basically a mixed Reef. You do not have quite as large an area to cover. You should do good with two. Adding a third might help with SPS.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing.
Jim

 

[conorhayes13]

Hard to penetrate 36" with any light. Best one might be a MH on a penetrating type of reflector (made to go deep, but not spread much). LEDs with narrow lenses can punch deep too, but can harm coral higher up. Good luck, deep tanks are not an easy problem to solve.

Sorry, tank is 3ft long not deep

 

[conorhayes13]

As you are talking about 3 long by 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide, I might suggest a couple to three AI HD Primes. They are rated for 24" square and to a depth of 24". I use 4 on a 75 Gallon with excellent coverage. I have SPS,LPS,and Softies. Basically a mixed Reef. You do not have quite as large an area to cover. You should do good with two. Adding a third might help with SPS.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing.
Jim

I was debating something that like, or 2 and a aquatic life t5 hybrid

 

[conorhayes13]

As you are talking about 3 long by 2 feet deep by 2 feet wide, I might suggest a couple to three AI HD Primes. They are rated for 24" square and to a depth of 24". I use 4 on a 75 Gallon with excellent coverage. I have SPS,LPS,and Softies. Basically a mixed Reef. You do not have quite as large an area to cover. You should do good with two. Adding a third might help with SPS.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing.
Jim

I was debating something that like, or 2 and a aquatic life t5 hybrid

 

[jda]

Ok. 24" deep is not all that deep at all and not so hard to light. What are you keeping? It matters. Prime might be OK for a mixed reef with easier SPS, but if you are going to be keeping Acropora, clams and other higher light stuff, they will be underpowered and you will need more diodes.

 

[conorhayes13]

I plan on keeping a mixed reef, but more on the LPS side I suspect. The SPS will all be placed on higher tier. Was also as mentioned looking at the new Kessils

 

[conorhayes13]

Any one?