Seeking lighting recommendations for new 5ft reef tank

[ssunthar]

Hi Experts, Planning to start a new 5ft tank with the depth of 30in (60 x 24 x 30) and writing to seek suggestions/recommendations on lighting for the tank. Planning this new tank to be more LPS & SPS focused with some cool softies.

Been looking around and the 2 brands that kept coming back (and available in my region with support) are EcoTech Marine's Radion LED series and Aqua Illumination's Hydra HD series. I am a little overwhelmed as each brand offer many models/spec (which model/spec, how many units, what colour spectrum, etc.) and optional items (like lens, diffuser, arm, etc.). Would like to hear and learn from experience, suggestions and comments on best lighting for this tank.... hopefully it will not be burning a big hole in my pocket ......

Any suggestions and recommendations are very much welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

radion G5 pro and reef brite xho

 

[Nick Steele]

30” front to back or 30” tall?

 

[MrDeathKills]

I would go with radion. I had a AI light and went to a radion and seeing the difference has got me hooked.

 

[ssunthar]

radion G5 pro and reef brite xho

Thanks, are you suggesting a mix?

 

[ssunthar]

30” front to back or 30” tall?

24" front to back, 30' tall.

 

[ssunthar]

I would go with radion. I had a AI light and went to a radion and seeing the difference has got me hooked.

Cool, thanks.

 

[Dkmoo]

radion G5 pro and reef brite xho

+1 on this, if you plan on having sps, having a portion of the fill light from strips will mimic the effectiveness of t5s (brs even suggest that they are better than t5s) and make the light spread a lot better which is better than just only radions.

 

[Nick Steele]

I guess I’m alone here. If you want a mixed reef with sps up top and lps down low I would go AI. Specifically the 32hds either 3 horizontal with 1 or two reef rite strips one in front one in back or 5 32’s facing front to back of tank spaced every foot.

 

[ssunthar]

+1 on this, if you plan on having sps, having a portion of the fill light from strips will mimic the effectiveness of t5s (brs even suggest that they are better than t5s) and make the light spread a lot better which is better than just only radions.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[ssunthar]

I guess I’m alone here. If you want a mixed reef with sps up top and lps down low I would go AI. Specifically the 32hds either 3 horizontal with 1 or two reef rite strips one in front one in back or 5 32’s facing front to back of tank spaced every foot.

Great suggestions, thanks.