Deciding on a LED fixture for 72" mixed reef

[Evieeeeee]

What about two reefbreeders 32" photon V2+? If you wanted the extra spread and par, you could add two 36" Aquatic life T5 hybrids as well.

Definitely thought of it, but I'm just not a fan of the disco effect from these kinds of lights

 

[Evieeeeee]

About a year in that tank. Most of it came from an 8 year 90 gallon and a 5 year old jbj 45 that I condensed into one tank.

How are you handling flow in the tank? I see a gyre in yours and I was also planning on a gyre but I'm not sure how to make sure the SPS is getting enough flow but the LPS isn't overwhelmed

 

[BranchingHammer]

Definitely thought of it, but I'm just not a fan of the disco effect from these kinds of lights

I experience not much disco effect in my tank, and IME, raising the lights high enough results in even spread without that effect. Definitely to each his own though.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

How are you handling flow in the tank? I see a gyre in yours and I was also planning on a gyre but I'm not sure how to make sure the SPS is getting enough flow but the LPS isn't overwhelmed

2x gyre 3k on the sides up high, 3x mp 40s on the back, and an abyzz a200 for the return.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Get 2 36" Aquatic Life hybrid fixtures to start with. Add the Leds overtime. Light will never be an issue.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I experience not much disco effect in my tank, and IME, raising the lights high enough results in even spread without that effect. Definitely to each his own though.

This right here as well. I have xr30s on a frag tank, gen 1 photon on half of a another frag tank and ai primes on a nano. Height and diffusers do wonderful things.

In all honesty, a Viparspectra with the lenses removed placed 10-12 inches above most tanks with grow anything and not be a 70s disco party. The thing to look at most is what look you want.

 

[Evieeeeee]

This right here as well. I have xr30s on a frag tank, gen 1 photon on half of a another frag tank and ai primes on a nano. Height and diffusers do wonderful things.

In all honesty, a Viparspectra with the lenses removed placed 10-12 inches above most tanks with grow anything and not be a 70s disco party. The thing to look at most is what look you want.

How high do you have them mounted? Since I can't drill I need to use legs and I think BRS recommended height was higher than the legs on the ge2 photons.

Same with viparspectra, dont think they have leg options

 

[Evieeeeee]

Get 2 36" Aquatic Life hybrid fixtures to start with. Add the Leds overtime. Light will never be an issue.

I feel like I just prefer the look of a single 61" fixture. I should be able to get away with spill from LED and T5s if I only put softies in the edges I think? And also I can't mount 1 LED per 2' if I get 2 36"s right?

But I will look into getting 2 36" fixtures too, thanks

 

[Eagle_Steve]

How high do you have them mounted? Since I can't drill I need to use legs and I think BRS recommended height was higher than the legs on the ge2 photons.

Same with viparspectra, dont think they have leg options

I have 2 of the hanger kits for the T5 hybrid set so the lights are about 8” from the water. It supported the 61” hybrid with 3x MH sitting on top of it with no issues. It is adjustable and mounts to the back of the stand. I did have to use 2 kits though, as the MH and hybrid fixture we a little over 30 lbs.

In all honesty, you can diy a light mount with wood, 80/20, schedule 80 pvc and a ton of other things.

Here is a link to the hangar I have now. You may be able to get away with a single kit if you use leds and the hybrid fixture. I would call aquatic life first and find out.

Aquatic Life® Universal/Hybrid Light Fixture Hanger | Aquarium Supplies at LiveAquaria

And here is the one I ordered that should be here tomorrow. Yayyyy!!! It will support the 61” fixture in itself.

Floating Suspension Hybrid Light Fixture Hanging System - Black

Designed for Aquatic Life Hybrid Light Fixtures & Compatible With Many Others! Delicately float your light fixture above your aquarium using Aquatic Life’s floating mounting system. By securing your light fixture to the wall behind your tank you can eliminate the long suspension cables and the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[BranchingHammer]

How high do you have them mounted? Since I can't drill I need to use legs and I think BRS recommended height was higher than the legs on the ge2 photons.

Same with viparspectra, dont think they have leg options

The legs allow you to raise them around 11 inches over the water, and you could link the two with the linking rails. You might also think about these BOT mounting arms to mount the light at that same height but from the back of the tank:
https://reefbreeders.com/shop/bot-mount/

 

[Evieeeeee]

I have 2 of the hanger kits for the T5 hybrid set so the lights are about 8” from the water. It supported the 61” hybrid with 3x MH sitting on top of it with no issues. It is adjustable and mounts to the back of the stand. I did have to use 2 kits though, as the MH and hybrid fixture we a little over 30 lbs.

In all honesty, you can diy a light mount with wood, 80/20, schedule 80 pvc and a ton of other things.

Here is a link to the hangar I have now. You may be able to get away with a single kit if you use leds and the hybrid fixture. I would call aquatic life first and find out.

Aquatic Life® Universal/Hybrid Light Fixture Hanger | Aquarium Supplies at LiveAquaria

And here is the one I ordered that should be here tomorrow. Yayyyy!!! It will support the 61” fixture in itself.

Floating Suspension Hybrid Light Fixture Hanging System - Black

Designed for Aquatic Life Hybrid Light Fixtures & Compatible With Many Others! Delicately float your light fixture above your aquarium using Aquatic Life’s floating mounting system. By securing your light fixture to the wall behind your tank you can eliminate the long suspension cables and the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

You got away with 2 mounts? It says each leg supports 10lbs. But yeah I contacted BRS and aquatic life for a confirmation, thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

You got away with 2 mounts? It says each leg supports 10lbs. But yeah I contacted BRS and aquatic life for a confirmation, thanks for the recommendation!

2 sets of mounts. 4 total arms.

 

[Kessil]

3 AP9X on this tank would be a huge amount of light - so you could do it if you wanted, but it may be a bit overkill for anything other than wall to wall SPS.

You could do 2 AP9X on that tank, or between 4 and 6 A360X, depending on how your rock work is set up.