215 Tank - Lighting for my situation

wunderlong88 · Apr 14, 2025

I am pretty sure we are going with a 215 tank (72x24x30 tall) and still haven't decided about lighting. (Could possible go with 175 (60x24x30 tall)

This tank will only be for soft corals and possibly an anemone that can live in whatever lights I get.
I like more natural/white look than too blue/or blacklight blue look.
Would like something around $1400 budget (less is always good, a little more might be ok)
No hood and no real limitations about mounting.
Can place at whatever height above whatever depending on the light's best placement but might need a shade if they have too much light glare to our couch/tv area.
I would like to have some control so I can adjust especially more white or more blue so I have a little bit of choice of aesthetics with this after I am up and running.
Would like a little shimmer.
Extra features if possible would be a sunrise/sunset or moonlight type option.
I don't live where I can go see lights over tanks and learn how they look so limited to reading/videos and pics.
I did watch quite a bit BRtvs lighting showdown and best of 2024.

I have looked into Hydra 32's quite a bit.
I've had the blades rec'd but saw a lot of negativity and was concerned about too much blue, not enough shimmer and red/green channels lacking?
I'm a bit overwhelmed and would love some recs for my particular situation and budget.

Thank you!

Shirak · Apr 15, 2025

AI are expensive for what you get. So I wouldn’t go there. The app is nice though. I think for the size tank you are looking at a bar or panel for good coverage. But you might not get much shimmer is true. Maybe something like a few Reefi uno mounted higher up than normal for wider spread but still using the 90degree lens to limit light spill? They have the power you would need even for a 30” deep tank. So you could get the shimmer.

wunderlong88 · Apr 15, 2025

What about 3 Kessil A350XE? Alos, will macroalgae (like Red Dragon) do well under this light? I'm going to have a refugium with a refugium light but I might but a few macros in the display.

Shirak · Apr 15, 2025

wunderlong88 said:
What about 3 Kessil A350XE? Alos, will macroalgae (like Red Dragon) do well under this light? I'm going to have a refugium with a refugium light but I might but a few macros in the display.

I don't keep red algae but I think they do ok with blue spectrum in the main display.

I don't think I would go with the Kessil A350XE for the size tank and depth you are looking at, even for softies. It's only 90w max. Spread is fairly narrow at 62 degrees. For the price there are much better options. If you are looking to go lower budget the 150w Nicrew v2 with control would be a good option. 3 or 4 of those. Not as nice as some of the panel type or the Reefi IMO but good lights for the money.

wunderlong88 · Apr 15, 2025

OK. Ty. After looking at Kessil 360XE more I think the shimmer would be too much anyway. I'll check your suggestions.

wunderlong88 · Apr 15, 2025

Also, since this tank is just 6" deeper than usual (actually 5" as I put 30" but looked and it's 29" tall) would I have a problem as long as I don't put anything too low in the tank (the bottom 5"). I don't want anything on the bottom sand bed. And if it won't grow on the rock in the lower areas that is ok but I'm guessing something might or spread down that far?

The BRSTV par numbers looked really good on the Kessil (for the type of things I want to grow) but there videos were using 24" deep not 29". I think the Hydra 32" was ok for 24" too (again no par examples at 29").

Shirak · Apr 15, 2025

The extra 5" will make a difference. I think it is a good plan to have something which can be turned up should you want to in the future also. I also prefer not to crank the LED to 100% all the time. They will last better and run cooler at less power. I think you can do that within your budget. AI, Kessil, Ecotech get all the hype but you pay for the name. There are better options IMO for less.