Changing lighting, looking for Pro advise, 40 year saltwater veteran, not for newbies.

14 foot reef

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My reef is an odd custom set up and takes a lot of consideration and not just a skim and answer, as I said, this is not for newbies. The reef is divided into 3 sections, the middle 96" is full mixed reef SPS lps but zero softies, The one end tank is a clown and butterfly tank with a 30" round 40 year old Haddoni Anemone, the other end tank is for fish not allowed in a reef tank. Because the tank is an Island set up viewable 360 degrees all panels. Also only intense lighting is needed on the center reef, the end tanks need to be the same color and shimmer as the middle so that it doesn't look like 3 different tanks. The issue is spending $1000 per end tank to light them when they don't need them. I'm looking at only two light options, the Neptune Sky and the Radion G6.
So first question, looking at the attached terrible drawing, which light would you suggest over the other considering spread, color intensity and shimmer, Sky or G6, then how many, this is talking only the center tank at 96" x 36 " but the reef being viewable all sides the Aquascape is at the most in some sections 24" front to back, I don't need 36" coverage. The second question, how do I match the color brightness, shimmer intensity, and look without spending $1000 per end tank, that is just absolutely not needed.
I'm not entertaining metal halide or T5. I'm Running 9 Kessil A360we's now in the hybrid T5 fixture. I want to clean up the application and improve lighting and move to the future, I'm not interested in a metal halide debate. Moving from Kessil will be tough because I love the shimmer they project.
Let the fun begin.........
Happy reefing everyone, and I really value this forums knowledge and opinion.

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14 foot reef

14 foot reef

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Cool setup!

Halides actually make this the easiest but since they are out....go with the G6. XR30s in the center and 15s on the ends.

You could also do AP9X fixtures in the middle and A360Xs on the end if you want to stick with Kessil
Can you imagine how ugly massive halides and reflectors would be in this open setting ? WOW
 

MaxTremors

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I would probably go with the Neptunes over the Radions if this was just a single tank, but considering the two smaller tanks on the sides, I think Radions would be a better fit, I’d probably do XR30s for the main tank and XR15s for the two side tanks.
 
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14 foot reef

14 foot reef

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I would probably go with the Neptunes over the Radions if this was just a single tank, but considering the two smaller tanks on the sides, I think Radions would be a better fit, I’d probably do XR30s for the main tank and XR15s for the two side tanks.
how many on the center tank ?
 

MaxTremors

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how many on the center tank ?
If it’s fairly SPS dominant, I’d get 6, mounted sideways (since the tank is so deep front to back), 16” apart (measuring from the center of the light) with the two on the ends being 8” from the side. If it’s more mixed reef, 5, spaced roughly 19” apart (9.5” from the sides). I’m starting to think to get even cover on the end tanks, you may need two XR 15s mounted in sort of an L shape or an XR 30, the 36” width/depth is going mean you’ll have some pretty significant dimming towards the edges if you go with just one XR15.
 
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14 foot reef

14 foot reef

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If it’s fairly SPS dominant, I’d get 6, mounted sideways (since the tank is so deep front to back), 16” apart (measuring from the center of the light) with the two on the ends being 8” from the side. If it’s more mixed reef, 5, spaced roughly 19” apart (9.5” from the sides). I’m starting to think to get even cover on the end tanks, you may need two XR 15s mounted in sort of an L shape or an XR 30, the 36” width/depth is going mean you’ll have some pretty significant dimming towards the edges if you go with just one XR15.
6 What ? The end tanks are basically fish only live rock with an anemone. the reef structure in the center is at best 24" front to back and the tank is only 28" deep. just more info, thanks for the input.
 

rtparty

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Can you imagine how ugly massive halides and reflectors would be in this open setting ? WOW

I don't mind it. I'll put a skin around it to make it look better some day.

IMG_20220616_113907_263.jpg


4 XR30s turned sideways on the center tank. 1 XR15 on each end tank. They will be a little dim but will work
 
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14 foot reef

14 foot reef

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I don't mind it. I'll put a skin around it to make it look better some day.

IMG_20220616_113907_263.jpg


4 XR30s turned sideways on the center tank. 1 XR15 on each end tank. They will be a little dim but will work

Nice but my reef is 14 feet by 3 feet in the center of my home. thanks thats a solid plan
 

Jon's Reef

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Sky would be nice for the main tank, but overkill for the ends.

I would go with this:

2 rows of xr15 over the middle.
12” - x - 24” - x - 24” - x - 24” - x - 12”
That is 8 xr15. With the 36” front to back the split xr15 vs xr30 will give better coverage and less shadowing.

1 xr15 on each end tank.

If you miss the shimmer, add a few of the kessil
 

Shooter6

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4 would do, 5 would be better.
I'm going to make a different suggestion.

4 ledzeal x300this setup. setup.

I run 4 x200 over my 8x3x2 400g.

I hit a peak intensity of 35% per channel and measured 300 par across the bottom with the apogee 510.
Lights 15 inch off the water, light shimmer. Cost will be around the same as 2 of the options currently being tabled.

 

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Shooter6

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This option my need a floating canopy for visual appeal or may not dependent on your preferences.

The x300 is 35inch by 10 inch, 96leds and 4 ch of control.
 

X-37B

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30 + year halide use here who just switched to all led on 3 systems-4 tanks.
With your givin lighting options I would chose the radion xr30' for the main and 1 xr15 for each end. It will get you the even color you are after while keeping the same streamlined look you have.
I went with radions and 16hds. The 16hds give some shimmer and can help with the flat look, imo, of the radions.
You could blend the radions with some of your current pucks and achieve the same results.
 
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