Lighting options for 75 gallon

[Jpiotro]

Good morning. I've been considering upgrading my current 32.5 to a 75 gallon and, I'm wondering what some good light options are for a tank that size. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. It's going to be softies only.

 

[Petcrazyson]

Good morning. I've been considering upgrading my current 32.5 to a 75 gallon and, I'm wondering what some good light options are for a tank that size. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. It's going to be softies only.

Nice upgrade! If you don’t want to spend big buck you can go the AI Prime 16 Route. Cheap light and don’t put out too much though they can grow some sps if there is enough of the spectrum and intensity. Another light can be the AquaMaxx Prisms or the AI Blade again nothing too crazy.

 

[Jpiotro]

Thank you for the input! would one AI Prime 16 be enough spread for that size tank?

Nice upgrade! If you don’t want to spend big buck you can go the AI Prime 16 Route. Cheap light and don’t put out too much though they can grow some sps if there is enough of the spectrum and intensity. Another light can be the AquaMaxx Prisms or the AI Blade again nothing too crazy.

 

[nereefpat]

Thank you for the input! would one AI Prime 16 be enough spread for that size tank?

No.

What is your budget? What features are needed? Do you want LED?

 

[Petcrazyson]

Thank you for the input! would one AI Prime 16 be enough spread for that size tank?

No you would need multiple 2 would probably suffice but 3 would make a big differnece.

 

[Jpiotro]

No you would need multiple 2 would probably suffice but 3 would make a big differnece.

would 2 hydra 32s work?

 

[exnisstech]

There are so many options it's hard to really recommend a single one but for a budget light you may want to look at Noopsyche. They make a nice light at a good price. I'm running 6 k7 III models over a 6ft 180g and corals have never looked better. I have softies, lps, some sps and nems.

 

[Jpiotro]

No.

What is your budget? What features are needed? Do you want LED?

Im looking to spend like 800 probably. Rather have good lights than cheap ones that don't work well. I would like LED ones, and id like for them to be programmable.

 

[RedoubtReef]

4 or 6 bulb T5 would be nice.

 

[Jekyl]

One ap9x. Slightly more but you'll never need to upgrade. Fully customizable and you get kessil shimmer.

 

[Petcrazyson]

would 2 hydra 32s work?

Im looking to spend like 800 probably. Rather have good lights than cheap ones that don't work well. I would like LED ones, and id like for them to be programmable.

800 is a nice budget lol. Reef Breeders Photon are super super nice just under 800 and they give a lot of coverage. You have 4” of no direct coverage on the sides but the light will still spill on those 4” and give enough for some coral IME.

 

[nereefpat]

would 2 hydra 32s work?

Yes, for a 75 with softies and LPS, that would be great.

Im looking to spend like 800 probably. Rather have good lights than cheap ones that don't work well. I would like LED ones, and id like for them to be programmable.

About 800 (a little over). Totally programmable for ramping, percentages for different channels, all from your phone.

 

[Jpiotro]

800 is a nice budget lol. Reef Breeders Photon are super super nice just under 800 and they give a lot of coverage. You have 4” of no direct coverage on the sides but the light will still spill on those 4” and give enough for some coral IME.

are they fully customizable? also I dont want to have to upgrade so would this be as good option?

 

[steveschuerger]

Im looking to spend like 800 probably. Rather have good lights than cheap ones that don't work well. I would like LED ones, and id like for them to be programmable.

I have ReefBreeders Photon V2 LED. Come with a WIFi programmable controller. I highly recommend them. Heres a FTS with the lights from this morning. They also come with supplies for hanging as well.

 

[Petcrazyson]

are they fully customizable? also I dont want to have to upgrade so would this be as good option?

I’m not sure but @steveschuerger has the RB Photon V2 like shown above he would be your guy to hook you up with what you need with them. Fully customizable not sure. You wouldn’t need to upgrade lights with this only unless you want to or want to try more hardcore sps. But even if you want to do that just getting another RB Photon would be good.

 

[nothing_fancy]

(2) 360x this way if you decide to go SPS in the future just add a third. Im a big fan of modular setups for this reason.

 

[joseph scott]

I have two of the smatfarm leds from Amazon. Like them better than the three AI primes I used to have over the tank.

 

[BAMatter]

I’d look into 4 of the Orphek OR3 120’s on their new controller!

 

[Jpiotro]

I have two of the smatfarm leds from Amazon. Like them better than the three AI primes I used to have over the tank.

what size tank do you have them on?

 

[joseph scott]

what size tank do you have them on?

75 gallon, standard for the size. I was using three AI Primes at over 100% on most channels. All three Primes burnt out some of the diodes eventually. Truly the Smatfarm are brighter and look better at 75% power.