Lighting help!!

[elagui]

Hi Everyone,

so i currently have a 50 gallon cube 24x24x20 sps dominant it currently has a 1 ecotech radion xr30w g2 and i hate the shadowing effects i was thinking about changing my light for maybe 2 xr15 (not sure if that would be overkill) or maybe 2 kessil 360 or any other options? your input would be greatly appreciated i do plan on upgrading to a 70 gallon within the next couple of months so i definetly want to get 2 lights even if i only use one until then.

thanks

 

[Marquiseo]

Hi Everyone,

so i currently have a 50 gallon cube 24x24x20 sps dominant it currently has a 1 ecotech radion xr30w g2 and i hate the shadowing effects i was thinking about changing my light for maybe 2 xr15 (not sure if that would be overkill) or maybe 2 kessil 360 or any other options? your input would be greatly appreciated i do plan on upgrading to a 70 gallon within the next couple of months so i definetly want to get 2 lights even if i only use one until then.

thanks

Go with the kessils. The gooseneck will allow you to angle the fixture to reduce dead spots in further. Going with (2) XR15s won't necessarily fix the issue at hand.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

One of the reasons t5 and halide work so well Isn't spectrum or intensity it's the large surface area of the source. Or spread. You can By adjusting the lamp or lamps cover a larger area you'll get better spread. Usually by moving the lamp away from its target. It works if you have enough intensity in the lamp.
Adding a second lamp will do something similar. Give more spread over the area by increasing he size of the source.
Similar to the effect of a soft box in photography or bouncing a desk lamp into a wall rather than directly at the desk.
In my biz we call that wrap.
Check out max spect they use a similar Stratagy in thier scheme. Reefbuildersled as well I believe . More smaller sources over are larger area.
I love the kessel for the spectrum and intensity and want two for my little cube but I'm considering a lightly frosted glass lid to get spread and wrap I like.
But I am a nut job.

 

[elagui]

do you guys think adding a second ecotech radion xr30 or trying the kessil ap700 would be over kill for my tank?

 

[ifarmer]

try ATI t5. you will be very happy with the corals coloration.

 

[elagui]

i actually just purchased the kessil ap700 i want give them a shot if i dont like it i will sale it and get an ati fixture

 

[Chrisss]

Just bought an ATI 6x54w for my 55g. I'm pretty sure a lot more people are going back to t5

 

[elagui]

i agree with you. i just thought id give LED's one more chance before going to t5 lol

 

[NanaReefer]

Just today I hung my first Radion. After 2yrs of running a Black Box I'm blown away. It's a Gen 1 at that! On my 40B who'd of thought? But at 11" from the surface I've got full coverage end to end.
IMO stick with the Radion. 2 xr15 would not be overkill, that's what programming is for. [emoji2]

Oh and I ran T5's for 5yrs.