Tank Lighting Help

[AAReef13]

I have a 50 gallon long reef tank that's about 1.5 years old. This is my first reef tank so it's a learning process(so far so good). My tank dimensions are 48×13×19 with a rim on top.
The rim goes through the very middle of the tank. Due to this, I decided to choose the easy route with lighting, buying a light bar that was rated pretty well. I am currently using a CurrentUSA Orbit Marine 4227 light bar. I am now wondering what lighting I should get for a tank this long. I currently have soft corals and a couple euphyllia. Soft corals grow great but the euphyllia seem to struggle. I would like to get some other LPS but i’m not sure my light could handle them. I also have some BTA's that do very well. My only limitation is price. Any lighting suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Reefahholic]

I have a 50 gallon long reef tank that's about 1.5 years old. This is my first reef tank so it's a learning process(so far so good). My tank dimensions are 48×13×19 with a rim on top.
The rim goes through the very middle of the tank. Due to this, I decided to choose the easy route with lighting, buying a light bar that was rated pretty well. I am currently using a CurrentUSA Orbit Marine 4227 light bar. I am now wondering what lighting I should get for a tank this long. I currently have soft corals and a couple euphyllia. Soft corals grow great but the euphyllia seem to struggle. I would like to get some other LPS but i’m not sure my light could handle them. I also have some BTA's that do very well. My only limitation is price. Any lighting suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Measure PAR in the tank first. That will tell you a lot.

 

[PeterEde]

Measure PAR in the tank first. That will tell you a lot.

I had a prime hd16 before.
I put it over a 10 gal tank and it was well under 100 near the top. The tank bottom was almost dark

 

[hyprc]

if you're only trying to keep LPS/softies you could double up on the CurrentUSA fixtures but otherwise you could look into upgrading for better par and spectrum with something like 2 ReeFi Uno Pro 2.0s.

 

[Freenow54]

Measure PAR in the tank first. That will tell you a lot.

other approach. Can change position, and par in different areas of the tank . even one side different. and top to bottom back to front. they are wifi, and app easy to use. Can use preset which I found not enough PAR, so used manual timer, and set different

times. They are off at night. Mine are Aquanest, lots of others available

 

[shadow_k]

I would say rent a par meter if you can to find out par , then once you have established the correct par for the corals you’re trying to keep , set your lights and forget it that way the corals will adjust to your schedule

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 50 gallon long reef tank that's about 1.5 years old. This is my first reef tank so it's a learning process(so far so good). My tank dimensions are 48×13×19 with a rim on top.
The rim goes through the very middle of the tank. Due to this, I decided to choose the easy route with lighting, buying a light bar that was rated pretty well. I am currently using a CurrentUSA Orbit Marine 4227 light bar. I am now wondering what lighting I should get for a tank this long. I currently have soft corals and a couple euphyllia. Soft corals grow great but the euphyllia seem to struggle. I would like to get some other LPS but i’m not sure my light could handle them. I also have some BTA's that do very well. My only limitation is price. Any lighting suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

I recommend supplementing this light with addition of one, even two Orphek OR3-120 light bars. If one- the sky blue. If two. . . one sky blue and one Blue plus