220 gallon how many lights

[Ares]

Will be setting up either a 220 gallon 72 x 24 x 30 or a 265 gallon 84 x 24 x 30.
It will be a mixed reef but heavier on SPS.

SPS - 50%
LPS - 30%
Zoas - 20%

I want to light it with the Gen 4 XR15 so I have more flexibility on exactly where to light and can bump the light up some depending on which coral is directly under it if needed.

EcoTech says the recommended spread is 18" x 18" so on the 220 are 4 really adequate? and on the 265 5 are adequate? Or should I consider using 1 per linear foot on each tank? (6 on the 220 and 7 on the 265)

It seems reading reviews on lights, people with real life experience with them tend to say you need more than what the manufacture suggests especially with an SPS heavy tank. Not just Radions but with all lamp manufacturers.

 

[gashunk]

I would say either 6 or 7 I’m running two xr15 on a 36x24 setup and I’m considering adding one more

 

[filbie70]

I’m running 4 XR30 gen 3s with 4x48” T5’s. I it were Radions only, I would say 8. For the money and the benefit of T5s for your SPS, do both. I have a 220g.

 

[Ares]

Thanks for the replies. Adding T5's was in the back of my mind, hearing another reefer with a 220 going that route just reinforces looking into that more.

 

[Labridaedicted]

I would go 4-6 units with 4x 72" t5. With leds the light is very directed and the underside of sps colonies tend to shade out without some more radiant light like fluorescent ime. I'm running 2 t5s and am going to add 2 more as i'm still seeing this effect. (Mines a 180, not a 220, fwiw. Same footprint, though.)(also, i'm not running radions, but I have played with them and with sps dominant, you'll likely want 1 per foot from what i saw.)