Setting up 300 Reef for former NFL player... Lighting Question

OG2 · May 12, 2016

As the title states, we are setting up a 300 Gallon (72x36) tank for a former NFL Player and I need a lighting solution. My budget is approximately $1500-2000. Any ideas will help. Thanks!

Clownman727 · May 12, 2016

We could help you better if we know who the player is.

BoB_25 · May 12, 2016

Clownman727 said:
We could help you better if we know who the player is.

Second that...

OG2 · May 12, 2016

Haha, not sure why I added that. Just not looking for anything of poor quality.

drernesto · May 12, 2016

You might need to put another 1000$ as 36 inch will need front to back fixtures if your planing for SPS. If for LPS or fish only you can find a lot of fixtures in that price range. What's the depth of the tank?

OG2 · May 12, 2016

drernesto said:
You might need to put another 1000$ as 36 inch will need front to back fixtures if your planing for SPS. If for LPS or fish only you can find a lot of fixtures in that price range. What's the depth of the tank?

Tank Dims: 72 length x 27 height x 36 depth. Was looking at maybe 2 of the Current Orbit Pro 72" Fixtures. Thoughts?

drernesto · May 12, 2016

What do you plan as corals? SPS or lps? I would go on more powerful wattage than the orbit pro as it will give each 100 watts. I personally love kessil, orphek, AI hydra 52 hd... I never used the Orbit, it might be a very good light.

OG2 · May 12, 2016

drernesto said:
What do you plan as corals? SPS or lps? I would go on more powerful wattage than the orbit pro as it will give each 100 watts. I personally love kessil, orphek, AI hydra 52 hd... I never used the Orbit, it might be a very good light.

Mostly LPS and Softies. Just trying to do right by the guy. The double Orbit would offer 200 watt over the majority of the tank, I just don't know if it's good. For some reason reviews are hard to find.

CoralClark · May 12, 2016

I'd go for 8 bulb ATI fixture

Chris Adams · May 12, 2016

I would do a couple hydra52 with T5 retro kits mixed in. I think you could swing a nice setup with that.

Maybe 3 26's

ksc · May 12, 2016

From the last survey, football players run multiple 400watt MH, the cheerleaders run led's, and the soccer players run t5's.
Blow that thing up with 3 400w Radiums and have the chearleaders install a few led strips for that "blue pop'!

mcarroll · May 12, 2016

OG2 said:
Mostly LPS and Softies. Just trying to do right by the guy. The double Orbit would offer 200 watt over the majority of the tank, I just don't know if it's good. For some reason reviews are hard to find.

It should be fine - but you should be prepared to add another Pro IMO. Might be fine, but depeding on how you mount/hang the light you might want additional coverage.

mrtian97 · May 12, 2016

I like Radion LEDs

ariel47 · May 12, 2016

I'm doing a 48Lx36WX27HT, I'm planning to use 2 radion pros. Lots of LPS and Softies and a few low maintenance SPS at top.

Ectogamut · May 12, 2016

Giesemann Aurora Hybrid T5/LED from here:

http://www.sewatec.de/giesemann-aur...t-5-dim-/-4-x-led-board-max-300-watt-led.html

It may bust the budget just a little bit, but that tank would be oh so sexy!

Edit: Just make sure you choose the US 110V version! Also, using my handy dandy Google conversion tool, it looks like the Euro to USD conversion puts the total w/ shipping at under $1,900. Same fixture on BRS is close to $1,000 more, HTH

drernesto · May 13, 2016

OG2 said:
Mostly LPS and Softies. Just trying to do right by the guy. The double Orbit would offer 200 watt over the majority of the tank, I just don't know if it's good. For some reason reviews are hard to find.

If you needed a trusted led fixture u might want to go to kessil, radion, hydra 52 hd, orphek... But you'll need to extend ur budget a few bucks... If u want to go Chinese u can look into sanrise.

reefknight · May 13, 2016

Personally I would do as a couple has recommended, retro T5 and LED combo for the best outcome. For the LED's use either Hydra's, Primes, Kessil's or Radions. Stay away from the no name stuff, you get what you pay for. As far as the Orbit fixture, no serious hobbyists is going to utilize that. It's something that Current sells, just like Marineland or Fluval, to get someone in the hobby. Then people are forced to upgrade shorty after making the initial investment when their livestock doesn't look well and isn't growing. All this projects a negative outlook on the saltwater hobby as being difficult and expensive. Truly, it's not when done properly from the start. The initial investment of quality equipment will save you hundreds, if not thousands in livestock.

ShawnSaucier · May 13, 2016

ATI LED/T5 60" 8 bulb.. They have factory seconds available on this site, check the selling forum

revhtree · May 13, 2016

Who's the player or get banned? HAHA!

Gino · May 13, 2016

A mix of T5 with LED can't go wrong, besides out there are a light bulb that is a LED in a T5 bulb form, that fix T5 fixtures and supposedly got a great spectrum and is a long run and energy-efficient meaning a cost-effective bulb to give it a try. I exactly don't remember their name, but I think is something like G5 or so. Look around to see what I meant.
Later let us know, what did you deside and show some pics on the build, that will be cool.
Good lock!!!