7 ft tank lighting?

Clemons123!

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I’m looking at the Nicrew gen 2 200 or the SMATFARM 140w.
Which would be better?
What other options?

Budget is max $1k

I have a 7 ft long, 2 ft deep and wide.

Plan on fish and corals. I’m sure I’m going to start with LPS mainly until I can learn more.
 

exnisstech

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No experience with those 2 but I'm running 6 noopsyche K7 III pros over my 84x30x25" tank and like them. I had them over my 72x24x24" previously and was able to get 300 par on the bottom where I kept clams. They're a good budget priced light.
The 180g is my showcase tank.
This is the 7ft they're on now.
PXL_20250412_020306033.jpg
 
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Clemons123!

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No experience with those 2 but I'm running 6 noopsyche K7 III pros over my 84x30x25" tank and like them. I had them over my 72x24x24" previously and was able to get 300 par on the bottom where I kept clams. They're a good budget priced light.
The 180g is my showcase tank.
This is the 7ft they're on now.
PXL_20250412_020306033.jpg
Do you know what the max coverage is for them? I can only see the 90-150 degree on the website. Are you using any diffusers ? Would you be able to tell me what settings you are using?
 
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Clemons123!

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No experience with those 2 but I'm running 6 noopsyche K7 III pros over my 84x30x25" tank and like them. I had them over my 72x24x24" previously and was able to get 300 par on the bottom where I kept clams. They're a good budget priced light.
The 180g is my showcase tank.
This is the 7ft they're on now.
PXL_20250412_020306033.jpg
Also !! I would love to know what you are using for power heads/ wave makers!! I am really confused on how to best do it for my tank. ( we have nothing in it yet)
 

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Which would be better?
What other options?

Budget is max $1k

I have a 7 ft long, 2 ft deep and wide.

Plan on fish and corals. I’m sure I’m going to start with LPS mainly until I can learn more.
I would recommend 3 of the new reefbreeders Meridian 11, I can get 30x30 from them with the wide optics, 24x24 is default. Down the line if you need more light you can easily add another Meridian 11 or led bars. It would be slightly over budget, around 1200, but you’d get a top of the line light, with an American app (the NooPsyche app and these Chinese brand lights apps are not user friendly at all), and the latest in swappable optics and spectrum. Plus unlike lost other lights, the meridians are silent, splash resistant, and slim profile.
 
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Clemons123!

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I would recommend 3 of the new reefbreeders Meridian 11, I can get 30x30 from them with the wide optics, 24x24 is default. Down the line if you need more light you can easily add another Meridian 11 or led bars. It would be slightly over budget, around 1200, but you’d get a top of the line light, with an American app (the NooPsyche app and these Chinese brand lights apps are not user friendly at all), and the latest in swappable optics and spectrum. Plus unlike lost other lights, the meridians are silent, splash resistant, and slim profile.
What would you suggest for mounting these? Im looking into the different sizes and I am not sure what would be best for my tank.

it has a rim. I am going to DIY a mesh lid.
 

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What would you suggest for mounting these? Im looking into the different sizes and I am not sure what would be best for my tank.

it has a rim. I am going to DIY a mesh lid.
I’m going to bring in the company to double check

Hi @Reef Breeders !
OP has a 7x24x24 reef and wants to keep lps

I suggested 3x Meridian 11’s with wide optics. Do you think this would work?

If so, would 3x 11’s + ICS link rails + side tank mounts be able to mount to a 7’ reef?

Thank you
 

Reef Breeders

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I’m going to bring in the company to double check

Hi @Reef Breeders !
OP has a 7x24x24 reef and wants to keep lps

I suggested 3x Meridian 11’s with wide optics. Do you think this would work?

If so, would 3x 11’s + ICS link rails + side tank mounts be able to mount to a 7’ reef?

Thank you

That’s the bare minimum he could possibly get away with doing however I don’t even have any wide optics in stock right now and I don’t when I will get more in due to the tariffs.

I recommend just going with 3 of the 24’s and he’ll have the freedom to grow anything.

Or do a 24 and 2 11’s like this.


1745968724859.jpeg
 
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Clemons123!

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That’s the bare minimum he could possibly get away with doing however I don’t even have any wide optics in stock right now and I don’t when I will get more in due to the tariffs.

I recommend just going with 3 of the 24’s and he’ll have the freedom to grow anything.

Or do a 24 and 2 11’s like this.


1745968724859.jpeg
Hello!

Thank you for your reply and help!

What mounts are you using in the photo? I’m not seeing a back mount on the site
 
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Clemons123!

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I’m going to bring in the company to double check

Hi @Reef Breeders !
OP has a 7x24x24 reef and wants to keep lps

I suggested 3x Meridian 11’s with wide optics. Do you think this would work?

If so, would 3x 11’s + ICS link rails + side tank mounts be able to mount to a 7’ reef?

Thank you
That’s the bare minimum he could possibly get away with doing however I don’t even have any wide optics in stock right now and I don’t when I will get more in due to the tariffs.

I recommend just going with 3 of the 24’s and he’ll have the freedom to grow anything.

Or do a 24 and 2 11’s like this.


1745968724859.jpeg
Hello and thank you both for the help.
I am still new at this. How did the 2x 24 and the 11 connect like this in the photo?
Are they only using the back mounts ?
 

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They are daisy chain to two power supplies and hide the wires in each arm of the mount.

Then they achieve the appearance of being one light when you use the ICS rails.

 
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Clemons123!

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They are daisy chain to two power supplies and hide the wires in each arm of the mount.

Then they achieve the appearance of being one light when you use the ICS rails.

Thank you!

Would I use these and then the back of tank mounts to get it similar to the photo?
 

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