Tank Lighting Suggestions 45g AIO

[Timothy Davis]

Hey everyone!

First time back to R2R, it has been a few years. I broke down my tank due to a cross country move in 2019, and have only now decided to get her back up and running. I am replacing a lot of things (pumps, wavemakers, heaters, etc..), but the specific tank itself will be the same. It is an older model JBJ rimless tanks, the RL-45 to be specific.

The Dimensions: 26.5” x 21” x 19”

I am looking for suggestions on a light(s) that would be ideal for these dimensions, while hitting some of my desires.

The goal for the tank is to primarily host softies and LPS, but be capable of supporting a mixed reef with SPS.
I would like it to be tank mounted, rather than ceiling hung.
Tank will have 1/2"-2" sandbed.
I would like the light to NOT be an eye sore.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jekyl]

Hey everyone!

First time back to R2R, it has been a few years. I broke down my tank due to a cross country move in 2019, and have only now decided to get her back up and running. I am replacing a lot of things (pumps, wavemakers, heaters, etc..), but the specific tank itself will be the same. It is an older model JBJ rimless tanks, the RL-45 to be specific.

The Dimensions: 26.5” x 21” x 19”

I am looking for suggestions on a light(s) that would be ideal for these dimensions, while hitting some of my desires.

The goal for the tank is to primarily host softies and LPS, but be capable of supporting a mixed reef with SPS.
I would like it to be tank mounted, rather than ceiling hung.
Tank will have 1/2"-2" sandbed.
I would like the light to NOT be an eye sore.

Thanks in advance!

Budget?

 

[Timothy Davis]

Budget?

My apologies, meant to include that. I'd say top dollar $800.

 

[Jekyl]

I'm a kessil guy. I'd vote for the ap9x

 

[Timothy Davis]

Anyone else?

 

[nereefpat]

LED?

 

[Timothy Davis]

LED?

Preferred but definitely not a deal breaker if not.

 

[nereefpat]

Preferred but definitely not a deal breaker if not.

Then your options are nearly unlimited.

150 watt MH pendant
4-6 bulb T5 fixture

Radions, Primes/Hydras, Kessils are popular LEDs.
Reefbreeders makes a 24" Photon that is worth looking at
Noopsyche K7 is similar to a Hydra for much cheaper
Black box like a viparspectra

 

[lazlodawg]

Second the AP9X. I love this light.

 

[mlivvy]

AP9X is amazing. Colors are preset and look really good. (I have one for sale in the classifieds)
Radion G5 is nice.
I like the orphek lights.

Take a look also at the reefbreeder photons. Great price for a decent, good looking fixture.

 

[PopDBE]

I run one ap9x on a 50g IM AIO. For experiment, I replaced the ap9x with a radion xr30 gen4. The radion has many light colors option which makes it irritating and I need two to cover the 50g.

So I switched back to the ap9x. I just got the IM 100g ext. Looking for a 2nd ap9x.