T5/AP700 or 2x AP700 for my 180g

[leroy_jenkinz]

pretty much what the title says but let me give you my situation which might help with opinions from you guys. I currently have a 90g mixed tank, only a few acros but I do plan on adding more when I transfer to my 180( 72”X24”) . I already have one AP700 and I don’t mind buying another AP700 if that’s the better route but the price does hurt my soul sometimes. Or would a 48” T5/Ap700 combo be better? Would I need bigger than 48” 4 bulb if I go that route?

 

[Crabs McJones]

If you plan on going into acros and sps heavy, i'd do two 36" T5 fixtures with 2 AP700's. Oh man that would be an amazing tank

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

If you plan on going into acros and sps heavy, i'd do two 36" T5 fixtures with 2 AP700's. Oh man that would be an amazing tank

I honestly think I’ll have more LPS/ softies with a few acros on the back wall. I’ll go ahead and start a go fund me since you think I’m a baller and you can be my first contributor hahaha. But on a serious note if I do the combo is a second AP700 required since the tank is so long?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I honestly think I’ll have more LPS/ softies with a few acros on the back wall. I’ll go ahead and start a go fund me since you think I’m a baller and you can be my first contributor hahaha. But on a serious note if I do the combo is a second AP700 required since the tank is so long?

If it's going to be softies and LPS with well placed acros, two AP700's would be fine

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

If it's going to be softies and LPS with well placed acros, two AP700's would be fine

So I’ve been researching lights, and have read later down the road shadowing might be a problem with kessils, I’m thinking of just selling my kessil and going with the reef breeder 50 V2, how does that sound?

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I’ve been researching lights, and have read later down the road shadowing might be a problem with kessils, I’m thinking of just selling my kessil and going with the reef breeder 50 V2, how does that sound?

It's possible. Single point light sources do suffer from that problem unfortunately. Which is why theyre commonly supplemented with t5s

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

It's possible. Single point light sources do suffer from that problem unfortunately. Which is why theyre commonly supplemented with t5s

Yea it’s either that or the 250W 48" METAL HALIDE T5 FIXTURE - GIESEMANN, using a hanging kit. I’d prolly have to use a hanging kit with the photons as well being it’s on a 6ft tank :/

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

I’m so wishy washy but I finally made a decision, I’m going with the 61” t5ho hybrid with XR15 g4 pro, I only got two radions right now but eventually I’ll buy the other two when I sell my kessil. Final decision and purchased haha