Lights for deep Tanks

[ReefCartel]

Hey. What LEDs would you guys prefer for Deep tanks? About over 48" + Tanks. Mixed Reef.

 

[reefjerk]

Really the only acceptable LEDs period are the Kessils.

You are probably going to want the "N" narrow versions.

 

[cmcoker]

How deep? Depending on depth You would probably need to use a more focused lens, with more led units. Tank depth and width will help people answer.
I run diy leds just fine, Kessil is not the only answer there are many acceptable brands.

 

[reefjerk]

For overall quality of appearance and sustenance provided in a compact package, Kessils are light years ahead of anything you can cobble together or purchase from another manufacturer.

Also the title says "Deep tanks", then in the first sentance says ~48", hence the suggestion for the narrow Kessil.

Now coverage would depend on the area of tank, which is irrelevant to the question, but if asked, you're going to want one fixture on a roughly 2' grid.

 

[cmcoker]

Eh, it's a matter of opinion. I don't like the form of the Kessil personally. I dint say it was bad, just not the only option.

I misread that as 48" length, but still how much " + "and the length and width matter. If you are using narrow lenses you don't necessarily get the spread.. Rock work will also make a difference

 

[BigKid4788]

Orphek makes a great light for deep tanks.

 

[reefjerk]

I hear ya, everything has it's compromises.

In reality I question the suitability of a LED cluster on a tank that deep, ultimately it depends on the livestock and as you say rock work will help.

 

[acesfull44]

I have a 30" deep 48" wide 150g, and just added a T5 strip to LED as I was not really happy with the spectrum.n Everything on the the sand bed has already reacted favorably and its only been 3 days. I would say if you are going LED, at least 2 fixtures (I only have 1) radion, AI, etc with focused wide angle lenses, and think about a T5 addition for help! Just my .02

 

[Tegridy Reef]

Gotta go Orphek for deep other wise id say halide or t5

 

[ReefCartel]

Thank you guys for the suggestions. So originally I did ATI T5s and did not like the color. I literally got the T5s tried it for a couple months and decided LEDs look way better. I know corals would have been happier with the T5s but I like the spectrum on LEDs and the adjustable color features. My main concerns are this, will it penetrate down to the bottom enough to supplement things like, clams, gonnies, shrooms, Chalices Etc. I have 2 Kessil 360N right now but dont know if I should sell those and replace with something more effective? OR add 2 more of those in addition (Total of 4 Kessil 360N) Or will that be a waste of money?

 

[sevens_up77]

I have a kessil 350w and a radion xr30 G3 pro with the narrow lenses and the radion blows the kessil away, and previously I had loved kessil. I run my radion on a 24" deep cube at 65% 12" above the water line on a mixed reef. I think the kessils could handle it and since you already own multiple you might not want to completely switch over but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Also for your decision here is the the par chart for the radions

 

[Osteoclast]

I have a 46" inch deep large reef and run radions G3pros 16" above the water line. I have good par at 100-125 at the bottom. Have SPS dominated and I run my lights @ 60%. There is more than enough light for all types of coral. And it is very easy to bleach at higher settings. I would review large tank set ups and TOTMs before you purchase. AIs previously were used on my reef and provided enough par but the colors were diminished in my view. In my opinion there are lots of good options out there. Good luck.

 

[fragit]

I have a 46" inch deep large reef and run radions G3pros 16" above the water line. I have good par at 100-125 at the bottom. Have SPS dominated and I run my lights @ 60%. There is more than enough light for all types of coral. And it is very easy to bleach at higher settings. I would review large tank set ups and TOTMs before you purchase. AIs previously were used on my reef and provided enough par but the colors were diminished in my view. In my opinion there are lots of good options out there. Good luck.

I'm planning a 48x20x24 100gal mixed reef I would new 2 radions to light that tank at close to $1600, I could use 3 Kessil wides for $1200 and have $400 for livestock. Do you really think the radions a worth that much more $$?

 

[ReefCartel]

I have a kessil 350w and a radion xr30 G3 pro with the narrow lenses and the radion blows the kessil away, and previously I had loved kessil. I run my radion on a 24" deep cube at 65% 12" above the water line on a mixed reef. I think the kessils could handle it and since you already own multiple you might not want to completely switch over but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. Also for your decision here is the the par chart for the radions

Wow. This might be a consideration. Would hurt my pockets to get 2 of those. I will need to sell both kessils for sure lol

 

[ReefCartel]

I have a 46" inch deep large reef and run radions G3pros 16" above the water line. I have good par at 100-125 at the bottom. Have SPS dominated and I run my lights @ 60%. There is more than enough light for all types of coral. And it is very easy to bleach at higher settings. I would review large tank set ups and TOTMs before you purchase. AIs previously were used on my reef and provided enough par but the colors were diminished in my view. In my opinion there are lots of good options out there. Good luck.

Thank you

 

[ReefCartel]

Oh and it sucks going from Kessil and switching to T5s. You get so used to the deep blue spectrum and shimmer. When you turn on the T5s its too bright the coral colors dont glow. lol

 

[mcarroll]

Instead of exclusively focusing on which fixture to get - I see nothing wrong with the Kessils if you like the light they generate - consider focusing on how much light you are applying to the tank.

What this means is to use a light meter of some sort.

I personally cannot recommend a PAR meter due to price, but a handheld lux meter ($15) or even lux app on your smart phone ($free) can do the trick! (Of course a par meter will too, if you already have one. . Also, "Galactica Luxmeter" is one app that seems to work well.)

As long as you are providing correct light levels over the tank it doesn't matter how deep your tank is too much.

Technically, anything between 20,000 and 80,000 lx should be fine. 40,000 to 50,000 seems to be the sweet spot. Perhaps shoot for 50,000+ in a deeper tank, but still in the neighborhood of 50,000.

You have plenty of the depth to move corals down, so you could go closer to 80,000 or 100,000 Lux, but corals growing anywhere close to the surface would be at risk of bleaching.

 

[Osteoclast]

Six radions G3pro units provide plenty of light for my tank both in depth and surface area. I like the options ecotech provides with the spectrum of color and programmability. Mine have been up about two years and I have been impressed. They are expensive but worth it in my opinion. Kessils are good quality but I do not have any experience with them. Lighting is expensive but important and price needs to be considered. I did not want to skimp though and I am in it for the long haul. Further, I saw many good large reef tanks SPS dominated with Radions Gen 1 and 2 over the past 3 years and this was enough for me. I actually switched from 10 AI sol blue units to the G3 pros. The key is to find set ups like yours and try to emulate them.

 

[mcarroll]

Six radions G3pro units provide plenty of light for my tank both in depth and surface area. I like the options ecotech provides with the spectrum of color and programmability. Mine have been up about two years and I have been impressed. They are expensive but worth it in my opinion. Kessils are good quality but I do not have any experience with them. Lighting is expensive but important and price needs to be considered. I did not want to skimp though and I am in it for the long haul. Further, I saw many good large reef tanks SPS dominated with Radions Gen 1 and 2 over the past 3 years and this was enough for me. I actually switched from 10 AI sol blue units to the G3 pros. The key is to find set ups like yours and try to emulate them.

There are so many people "winging it" - following what they see somebody else doing it without understanding why - that I think this is somewhat of a dangerous strategy. (Danger is relative of course, we are "only" talking about money.)

It seems likely that in many cases even the person being followed doesn't understand what they are doing - just being trendy, etc.

 

[zup33r]

HYDRA 52'S
My tank is 3ft deep lights hanged at 10 inches