Ligthing for 120g 4x2x2 mixed reef under $1200

[ApoIsland]

Would love to know what everyone is lighting their 120g 4x2x2 tanks with. Picture of my tank attached. Looking for something with enough spread if I don't mount them more than 12 inches from the top of the water. Have had a tough time finding something that can cover 24 inches front to back wall to wall coral.

For the last 5 years I have been running 4 x of the Chinese black boxes. Growth is good, but to say color is not great would be an understatement. I have tried a couple different lights already over one side of the tank:

1) Tried Maxspect Ethereal 130W which was absolutely pathetic in terms of coverage and strength. Manufacturer says 24x24 coverage but in reality its more like 16x16 coverage and not strong enough for even halfway down the tank.

2) Tried two of the AI Hydra 26 over half the tank, and while they were strong enough to keep the zoas happy on the bottom the spread was very poor. Mounted about 12 inches off the water with both fixtures combined you are looking at covering a 24 x18 area max. Plus the cost would be outrageous for 4 of them.

In an attempt to keep this organized and relevant please only respond if you have a 4x2x2 and have had the lights running for more than 6 months.

Thank you all in advance for any info you can provide.

 

[ApoIsland]

Sorry I should have mentioned I am looking for LED lighting. I stopped changing bulbs 7 years ago and don't think I ever want to do it again.

Thank you!

 

[ADAM]

How about ReefBreeders? See a lot of people recommending them. Also a couple of Pre-owned XR30s or a few XR15s should be around that price point.

 

[WvAquatics]

I ordered a reefbreeder photon 48" but they are on back order and I haven't even filled my tank. But reviews are good. But here's the par posted on their site if u didn't look them up yey

 

[dragon99]

3-4 Hydra 32's. Though personally I'd go with a ATI 6-bulb Sunpower and a 5 year supply of bulbs for that budget.

 

[ApoIsland]

3-4 Hydra 32's. Though personally I'd go with a ATI 6-bulb Sunpower and a 5 year supply of bulbs for that budget.

Do the 32's have much better coverage than the 26's? Those 26's were very limited at 12 inches above water.

 

[ApoIsland]

I ordered a reefbreeder photon 48" but they are on back order and I haven't even filled my tank. But reviews are good. But here's the par posted on their site if u didn't look them up yey

Thank you for the post! I was looking hard at this light also for the good price point and good reviews. A guy in our local club had them for 1 week but returned because he didn't like the spectrum so I'm not sure though.

 

[ApoIsland]

How about ReefBreeders? See a lot of people recommending them. Also a couple of Pre-owned XR30s or a few XR15s should be around that price point.

I had not considered the XR30s but will give them a look. Thanks for the post!

 

[lpsouth1978]

You could use 4 x Noopsyche K7 Pros mounted so they are perpendicular to the tank. Even 3 would like be plenty to get the job done, but 4 would certainly allow you to keep anything. would also cost less than $1000 with mounts and controller.

 

[Phil D.]

4 Red Sea Reef LED 90s

 

[ApoIsland]

3-4 Hydra 32's. Though personally I'd go with a ATI 6-bulb Sunpower and a 5 year supply of bulbs for that budget.

You do make a great point about the 5 year supply of bulbs covered in the budget. I was actually running ATI bulbs before the switch to LED. Along with no bulb replacement though I was also able to get rid of the chiller after I switched to LED.

 

[ApoIsland]

You could use 4 x Noopsyche K7 Pros mounted so they are perpendicular to the tank. Even 3 would like be plenty to get the job done, but 4 would certainly allow you to keep anything. would also cost less than $1000 with mounts and controller.

Thank you! I will definitely give those a look.

 

[Dipan Desai]

I have a Reefbreeder V2+ 50 over my 60x30x24 in peninsula. Great bang for your buck. My system is mixed but trying to be mostly SPS.

 

[ApoIsland]

4 Red Sea Reef LED 90s

Thank you. I'll consider looking for some used ones. I believe the cost at new would put me over $1500 with shipping.

 

[mattzang]

i'm going with 2 reefi duo extremes on my 4 foot build, i think they're $650 so slightly over budget, but close. they seem to get really good reviews and everyone likes them. and they're like 215 watts so more than enough power

 

[ApoIsland]

I have a Reefbreeder V2+ 50 over my 60x30x24 in peninsula. Great bang for your buck. My system is mixed but trying to be mostly SPS.

Thank you for posting. I like that tank!! these lights are definitely under consideration.

 

[ApoIsland]

i'm going with 2 reefi duo extremes on my 4 foot build, i think they're $650 so slightly over budget, but close. they seem to get really good reviews and everyone likes them. and they're like 215 watts so more than enough power

Thanks Matt. I'll look into those. $1300 is doable.

 

[Dipan Desai]

Thank you for posting. I like that tank!! these lights are definitely under consideration.

They are pretty solid. I came from having 3 MarsAqua black boxes over it which worked but I wanted something could ramp up and down. These def have some solid juice if you need it.

 

[ApoIsland]

They are pretty solid. I came from having 3 MarsAqua black boxes over it which worked but I wanted something could ramp up and down. These def have some solid juice if you need it.

How high above the water do you have that light mounted ?

 

[mattzang]

Thanks Matt. I'll look into those. $1300 is doable.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/interesting-new-led-light.640820/

that's the thread that sold me on them. i have no personal experience with them tho