8x2x2 Light recomendation

[reefkeeperros]

Hi,

Looking at getting an 8x2x2 tank, sps dominant so I'm looking at what would be the best option for lights, has to be LED I don't want to go with T5's. Something I had in my head was radions either more xr15's or less xr30's, hydra 64hd. Now the question is how many?

Thanks

 

[Spare time]

The radions were BRS's best par per dollar. Ideally you should have no less than 1 light per 24x24 inches (though you could make that 20x20 if you want to push the par numbers up further.

 

[nereefpat]

Manufacture's recommended spread for the XR15s is 18"x18". So 5 or 6 at minimum, I would think.

That's a big footprint to be lighting with that style of LED fixture. Pretty much all of that type (AI Prime, Kessil, Radion) have a 18x18 spread.

If you want LEDs, how about more of a panel style fixture, like Orphek?

 

[Bpb]

With a tank that size you really should be doubling the recommended fixtures to avoid shading. It’s fine when they are all little nubs and frags but will be an issue within a year if the tank is growing well

 

[piranhaman00]

T5s baby.

 

[jda]

You are likely going to need 2x Radions to cover the 24x24 area if you want to do hard-core acropora once they start to grow and shadow. ...less if you add some T5s. Plan on 8x xr30s and maybe less if you end up with other stuff.

Larger tanks are easier to light with reflectors or panel type of lights. Don't discount T5s or MH and certainly look at something like ReefBreeders Photon V2. Your wallet will thank you on the initial purchase and the running costs will be about the same for anything.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Why not T5’s

I use Two Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixtures (48” each” and 4 XR30 Pros for my 8’. For SPS dominant you could always go with 6 Radions in those fixtures

 

[nereefpat]

Plan on 8x xr30s and maybe less if you end up with other stuff.

8 xr30s or xr15s? If it really will take 8 xr30s, you'd be in for 7 grand, and there is no way I would try to light an SPS tank with Radions.

 

[hart24601]

The new reefi uno are a solid deal and can do two rows way cheaper than radion with much better color having pc amber and limes. They are very impressive lights.

 

[jda]

Some people replace a single MH with 3x xr30s who actually need the same light output. That is mostly overkill for lots of folks, so two is a better estimate. Keep in mind that 4x T5s and 2x xr30s over a 48" tank is kinda the same as having 4x xr30s for coverage.

The bottom line is that a single xr30 over a 24x24 area for acropora that are not nubs will not get the job done outside of a EcoTech advertisement or empty tank in BRS video. A good thing is that you don't have to add them all at once, so you can spread out the cost as stuff grows, but a good idea to plan on the cost if you want to go that route.

There are plenty of other cheaper and likely more effective way to light a reef than with Radions, as mentioned above. The best LED lit acropora tanks that I know of do not use them.

I would light this tank with 4x 250w Halides, so take everything that I say for what it is worth... nothing. If somebody made me use LEDs, it would be Photon V2s... again, worth nothing.

 

[WVNed]

I used MH/t-5 on my 8x2x2. After seeing the BRS videos I would look at 2 Reefbreeder Photon V2 or 2 Kessil AP9X for LEDs.

 

[Mjl714]

How about those ATI Straton’s? They look very nice.

 

[Cabinetman]

Go 4 250 hslides! Or 2 48” 8 bulb t5. Either or and add some blue led strips to supliment

 

[Hydrored]

Here is 4 straton’s over my 8’, plenty of coverage-