Using SB Reef lights? Let's see your tanks

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 17, 2017

I have mine on order at the moment awaiting delivery. Till then, let me see what yours looks like on your tank. Please include tank dimension, light model, height over tank, and schedule. Thanks!

happyhourhero · Apr 17, 2017

Check out my build.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hhhs-65-mixed-reef.228678/

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 17, 2017

happyhourhero said:
Check out my build.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hhhs-65-mixed-reef.228678/

Nice build thread! Got to skim it, but will take a deeper look once home today.

kevlow · Apr 17, 2017

I posted this phone video on my thread in members' tanks section I will put it up here also. I am pretty happy with my SB lights. Two 32" units hung parallel over a 48x24x8 shallow frag tank.

happyhourhero · Apr 17, 2017

^ I like that!

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 17, 2017

Stunning! If I wasn't sold before, I am now. Lol. I'm doing 1 (32" pro timer) to start over my 48x24x16

kevlow · Apr 17, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
Stunning! If I wasn't sold before, I am now. Lol. I'm doing 1 (32" pro timer) to start over my 48x24x16

I am getting a second tank plumbed into my sump. It is exactly your tank. I will be placing two 32" units above it. One is sufficient but two improved my light distribution and has allowed the SPS to grow in many directions, faster, and without shading.
I think most people will agree that just one unit will grow coral and look good on a 48x24 tank. I wanted to see if my idea would work and I am glad I did. I just had to dial back my power a little.
For what it is worth, I don't even use the timer feature. I have the cord plugged into an outlet timer.

The very best of luck to you and I will follow along if you post a thread on it.

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 17, 2017

Thank you! How high and what percentage do you run at? @kevlow
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seems-like-its-time-for-a-new-build.296244/

kevlow · Apr 17, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
Thank you! How high and what percentage do you run at? @kevlow
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seems-like-its-time-for-a-new-build.296244/

Bottom of light is 16 1/2" above the waterline. Whites at 40% Blues at 65%. Most of my tank is 350-450 par. Back wall edge and sides at about 200 par.

When I had one 32" unit I was 17" above water line. Blues at 100%, whites 50%. had the same par readings.

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 17, 2017

Thank you for info! I'm running a pair of kessil 160 currently, so I'll have to baby step it up a bit so as to not deal with any bleaching. Know it's under lit at moment. Lps and polyps look good, but the sps started to brown a bit after transfer and losing the 4 t5 I had.

dangros · May 27, 2017

since you have a 48" long tank, is there some light missing on the ends - given this is only a 32" fixture?

ReeferMaddness843 · May 27, 2017

I use that space for lower light corals. Was going to pull lenses to increase spread, but easier solution was to tuck corals that are not light demanding into the shaded areas. My leptos, favias, and anything I may need to recolor a bit appreciates it. Lol. I've got hammers and torches almost against the glass on the ends and they look GREAT. I've got more centered islands with an open channel down the middle, so there is open sand down the edges a bit so as to not give it the wall look I grew ill of in my last tank.

ReeferMaddness843 · May 27, 2017

I'm at 13ish" above water line, but I think if I went 16" I'd have a solid spread consistently across. Just can't go that high due to placement next to couch. It works well for my needs and haven't once regretted it.