Next up Lighting!

[Treefer32]

Outside of the tank itself, pumps and general filtration setup, one of the most important pieces of equipment to a good reef is lighting... And it's extremely complex, overwhelming, and I've been in the reefing industry for years, though it's been 3 years since I tore down my last reef to move.

Requirements:
1. adequately light a 31 inch tall aquarium X 69" Long X 36 " wide. ~ 340gallon.

2. Able to maintain healthy clams, some SPS, but a larger focus on LPS. What can I say I love the ebb and flow of Polyps. SPS, I love just to be able to say I successfully grew some out....

3. Would like to have one, possibly two anemones once it's established.

That said, I really wanted to do a combo of good quality LEDs and T5HO. However, as with anything in the reefing industry $ is the limiting factor. If you had a $2k budget, what would you do for lighting for this size of tank?

One recommendation I've gotten is 3 Radion 30Ws mounted front to back of the tank centered between each section / crossbrace (2 crossbraces - 3 sections).

That alone would instantly put me slightly over budget. If that was the only lighting I'm doing I'd be o.k. with it. Does anyone have creative ideas that allows for T5HO and good quality LEDs?

I do have a Neptune Apex, I've got two MP40s controlled by it and I do have the VDM module to run the lights. I believe the Radions are Apex compatible, which is a huge plus.

What would you do?

 

[Retro Reefer]

You might check out the aquatic life t5 hybrids, they come complete with mounting brackets for just about any LED’s.. I just set one up for a 40b and have less than $500 in it complete with bulbs, LED, moon lights and timers.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Here is a link to the 61”

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

 

[Treefer32]

You might check out the aquatic life t5 hybrids, they come complete with mounting brackets for just about any LED’s.. I just set one up for a 40b and have less than $500 in it complete with bulbs, LED, moon lights and timers.

Thanks, yes, that was something else I was looking at. for a 69" almost 6 foot wide tank, with 3 divided sections by the cross braces, would you do 3 aquatic life fixtures?

Here is a link to the 61”

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

Thanks I was just looking at that. Says 3 round slots for LEDs, but the pic shows 4. So, 3 Kessil A360s with 4 T5 HO bulbs. Would run around $1700 with bulbs and mounting stuff. Would that be enough spread and spectrum of light for a 31inch depth? Not that I need it bright light at the bottom.

So, the age old question, which would be better, the Kessil 360s with 4 T5 ho bulbs or 3 high powered Radion LEDs? I know.. the arguement is Ford or Chevy? HA!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Probably be marginal for sps on a tank that size.. you can get extra brackets to add more LED’s and they have components available to make the fixture wider up to 24”