36" Tank Mixed Reef Lighting

[Espino963]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to pull the trigger on the waterbox Marine 70.3 and i have an option to get it with x2 Prime 16HD lights. Will this be sufficient enough long term for a mixed reef? or should I do QTY:2 - 32HD's? I hope you experienced reefers can help.

Here are the tank dimensions.

36"L x 20"W x 18"H

Thanks in advance

 

[Spare time]

What kind of coral are you thinking of?

 

[lpsouth1978]

If you are thinking a mixed reef including SPS, I would go with the 2 x 32HD's. I originally had 2 Primes on my 40b (similar dimensions) but wasn't happy and upgraded to 2 x 26hd's (this was before the new lights were released).

 

[Espino963]

I want to go mostly SPS/Acro. Open to the whole mixed tank situation but we will see.

 

[RCS82]

AI primes are light duty, only my opinion, and for nano tanks, for over a frag rack in the sump or for beginner corals requiring low light. You can start with them but since you want sps and acros in particular, I wouldn't bother and go straight to 32s or bigger. Either way you'll most likely be adding T5s to them sooner than later. An ATI 6 bulb x 39watt fixture with a couple LED strips for pop would really take you places in the SPS game at a very nice price.

 

[SaltFishTV]

AI primes are light duty and for nano tanks, for over a frag rack in the sump or for beginner corals requiring low light. You can start with them but since you want sps and acros in particular, I wouldn't bother and go straight to 32s or bigger. Either way you'll most likely be adding T5s to them sooner than later. An ATI 6 bulb x 39watt fixture with a couple LED strips for pop would really take you places in the SPS game at a very nice price.

That’s what I run. I run a 24” ATI 4 bulb dimmable sunpower fixture with reefbrite xho LEDs. Works like a charm over my 36” tank

 

[cvrle1]

Look into Noopsyche K7 Pro 2 units. 2 of those would be enough, and would be cheaper than 32HDs

 

[Crabs McJones]

32s for sure

I want to go mostly SPS/Acro. Open to the whole mixed tank situation but we will see.

 

[Spare time]

I would go with 2 32HD's or two red sea reefLED 90's (slightly cheaper price)

 

[Sam25]

I want to go mostly SPS/Acro. Open to the whole mixed tank situation but we will see.

In that case i would get the 2 32HD

I waiting for the reef 100.3 to arrive (similar dimension) an I just got 2 Radion XR15 G5 and it should cover well for a mix LPS and light SPS for me

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

You can look at a 32" Reef Breeder Photon fixture as well. Rhat will grow SPS for you with no issues at all.