Need recommendation for frag tank

[absoluteNANOreef]

Hey everyone,

I’m piecing together a frag tank which will be in a lagoon 25 or custom 24x24x10 tank. I’m torn between lighting right now. Which would you recommend, and if you have pictures of spread in similar tank please post.
For now I will only use 1 light until I get more frags. So, should I go with an AI Hydra 32HD or a Radion XR15 Pro?

Keep in mind, in about 4 months I will be adding another light to complete with either 2-hydra 32s or 2-xr15s.

xr30pros are out of the budget as I want to have 2 lights in the end for no shadowing, and 2 XR30s might be over kill for such a shallow tank.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

What are you running over your main display tank?

When I ever get around to setting up a frag tank, I’m gonna hang the same light over my frag tank, so I can easily transition from either tank back and fourth. I figure this will cause less shock to my new arrivals, and to any frags I may cut.

A few years ago I ran some Hydra 52s on a 90 gallon and I really liked them. I had decent growth and color. When I set up my new tank I went back to a sun power t5 fixture. If I ever went back to LEDs I think I would do the radions, no real reason for that other than I’d like to give them a shot. So after all that carrying on blah blah blah, if it were me I’d do the xr15s.

 

[absoluteNANOreef]

What are you running over your main display tank?

When I ever get around to setting up a frag tank, I’m gonna hang the same light over my frag tank, so I can easily transition from either tank back and fourth. I figure this will cause less shock to my new arrivals, and to any frags I may cut.

A few years ago I ran some Hydra 52s on a 90 gallon and I really liked them. I had decent growth and color. When I set up my new tank I went back to a sun power t5 fixture. If I ever went back to LEDs I think I would do the radions, no real reason for that other than I’d like to give them a shot. So after all that carrying on blah blah blah, if it were me I’d do the xr15s.

Thanks for your input. I only have a small 10gal with an AI prime lol so nothing special there. That’s going to be taken down to run the frag tank, so I can go fresh start on lights.
I considered led/t5 too, but decided against it for ease of programming everything.
I’ll consider you response as a vote for radions lol. Thank you again.

 

[absoluteNANOreef]

I can’t edit my OP, so also want to throw in I’m also considering 1 orphek Atlantic compact but not sure if one unit in the center would leave too much shadowing.

 

[piranhaman00]

T5 fixture

 

[KSUChemist]

I like my Hydra 32, but I agree with above. Set up the same as you think you will use on a new DT so you don't have to worry about light acclimation.

 

[absoluteNANOreef]

T5 fixture

I really considered it but want more control over lights. Might supplement with them down the road.

I like my Hydra 32, but I agree with above. Set up the same as you think you will use on a new DT so you don't have to worry about light acclimation.

Well, no display for a while until we move to a permanent home, so for now, I’ll go with what’s best for a frag tank and then I’ll match the display later on. What are you running that 32 over?

Also, bought a 24x24x10 frag tank today!

 

[piranhaman00]

I really considered it but want more control over lights. Might supplement with them down the road.

Well, no display for a while until we move to a permanent home, so for now, I’ll go with what’s best for a frag tank and then I’ll match the display later on. What are you running that 32 over?

Also, bought a 24x24x10 frag tank today!

understandable. If your set on leds I would go with aqua illumination then.Nice dimensions!

 

[KSUChemist]

I really considered it but want more control over lights. Might supplement with them down the road.

Well, no display for a while until we move to a permanent home, so for now, I’ll go with what’s best for a frag tank and then I’ll match the display later on. What are you running that 32 over?

Also, bought a 24x24x10 frag tank today!

24x24x18 cube. LPS and softies so I run it at about 40W power which gets me 75-150 PAR everywhere in the tank. Highest point on the rock in the center is closer to 250.

 

[absoluteNANOreef]

Oh man those new gen 5s coming out might be the ones.