Mixed reef lighting

Aximiate · Jul 1, 2021

Hello everyone, a few live sales later and i’m in desperate need of an upgrade! Going to pick up a 65g this week, 36x18x24. Im wanting to do a mixed reef, sps in the top 1/3, lps and some euphyllia in the middle and zoas on the sandbed! Im wanting to shoot for around 100 par on the bed to keep my zoas colored up. Ive looked at the ap700 and love being able to program it but worry about the lack of coverage for sps. Ive also considered a t5/led fixture but not being able to program it is a pretty big drawback for me. Would my best bet be a couple 360s? Dont have much experience with any leds other than kessil so would love to hear any recommendations! Thanks in advance!

T-J · Jul 1, 2021

I run 4 Radion XR15 G5 Pro's on my 120g (48x24x24). Mine is a mixed reef. I run higher PAR than what you're looking to run, but you can just dial them back a bit. Perhaps 2 of them would work for you?

mikereefing · Jul 1, 2021

I run my 66 gallon tank with 2 AI primeHDs + a single T5. I get about 140-160 PAR at the sandbed depending on where the LEDs meet up. With just the two AI primes, I was getting 120 PAR at the sandbed.

Aximiate · Jul 1, 2021

T-J said:
I run 4 Radion XR15 G5 Pro's on my 120g (48x24x24). Mine is a mixed reef. I run higher PAR than what you're looking to run, but you can just dial them back a bit. Perhaps 2 of them would work for you?

Thanks for the reply ill definitely check those out! Would one of those be comparable to a Kessil 360we?

Aximiate · Jul 1, 2021

mikereefing said:
I run my 66 gallon tank with 2 AI primeHDs + a single T5. I get about 140-160 PAR at the sandbed depending on where the LEDs meet up. With just the two AI primes, I was getting 120 PAR at the sandbed.

Thank you! Ill check those out as well!

Aximiate · Jul 1, 2021

Im also thinking about grabbing 2 tidal 75 hobs and a hob skimmer, think id be better off just getting a sump or could i get away with the piggybacks?

Patman · Jul 1, 2021

AI Primes/Hydras, brs has plenty of vids to find the coverage and par your looking for. The best performing lights for the price I've ever used.

CanuckReefer · Jul 1, 2021

Aximiate said:
Hello everyone, a few live sales later and i’m in desperate need of an upgrade! Going to pick up a 65g this week, 36x18x24. Im wanting to do a mixed reef, sps in the top 1/3, lps and some euphyllia in the middle and zoas on the sandbed! Im wanting to shoot for around 100 par on the bed to keep my zoas colored up. Ive looked at the ap700 and love being able to program it but worry about the lack of coverage for sps. Ive also considered a t5/led fixture but not being able to program it is a pretty big drawback for me. Would my best bet be a couple 360s? Dont have much experience with any leds other than kessil so would love to hear any recommendations! Thanks in advance!

I think ATI makes a programmable combo. Yes they do, not inexpensive.... but if its what you want. https://www.atinorthamerica.com/lighting/led-powermodule/
you'd be looking at the ATI2605....

mccune · Jul 1, 2021

Go with Kessil, they look amazing and have a great spread for the tank.

Aximiate · Jul 1, 2021

CanuckReefer said:
I think ATI makes a programmable combo. Yes they do, not inexpensive.... but if its what you want. https://www.atinorthamerica.com/lighting/led-powermodule/
you'd be looking at the ATI2605....

I wish, definitely not inexpensive lol