Lighting recommendations

[mccune]

I have had a Mr Aqua 24x24x12 drilled and sitting in storage in the garage for ever now. I was going to upgrade to a large setup this year but decided just to bring that tank up to the first floor of the house. (My other tanks are in the basement, no one goes down there)

I am planning on buildinf a custom stand to raise the tank up just above the arm of the couch so you will literally looks directly into the tank when your sitting there. But that also means that I need to choose the right light as to not blonde myself or my wife and kids. (That’s Frowned upon I guess)

I am definitely going to go led. I have prime hds and a hydra 52 on my other tanks.

This tank will be a mixed reef tons of big lps though.

what are some recommendations you guys have for light setups to cover the 24x24.

 

[ru4serious]

Watch the BRS video on reefbrite strip lights. I don't personally use them , but intriguing

 

[mccune]

I saw that that looks really interesting but I think I’m still looking for a controllable light option
AI
Ecotech
Kessil

 

[mccune]

Do some of the options I’m thinking

Ai hydra 52 already have this over another tank
pros
Plenty of light and spread
Already have I’m the light
Easy to control

cons
Need to replace it to light my other tank
May be too much over such a shallow tank

ai prime
I could run one ai probe over the tank which we definitely leave some to be desired around the edges of the tank. I have one sitting in storage

I could also get a second prime and run two of those over the tank to get better coverage

I have never run a kessil but have always been intrigued
A single a360x would cover the tank

Ecotech
The new radions look killer
Haven’t had a radion since gen 2

lots of things to think about.
I may end up running a canopy to help with the light spill still deciding

 

[ReefBeta]

That's pretty shallow tank. A single Kessil a360x or Radion XR15 will cover it nicely, including SPS. Or two Prime 16 or one Prime 32 will do as well. I think the most affecting factor is the mounting solution.

 

[mccune]

So for mounting I am going to be creative with that aspect.
I am planning on doing a floating hood or some sort of mounting bracket that is incorporated into the stand.

I have three kids and don’t trust them not to somehow break the tank by hitting a rim mounted setup.
A common things I find myself saying to them,
How did you break that
What were you thinking
How did you think that would end
I love them more then anything but kids break everything