Help Light my 36x20x20 65~ Gallon Tank

bsdubois00

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Proud new owner of a Neptunian Cube MP90 (65~ gallons of display tank at appx. 36x20x20 dimensions). I’ve been researching lights and have narrowed down a few options and would love some input. Overall I’d prefer a single wider light over the look of 2 separate lights but I added an option just to see everyone’s thoughts.

My tank will be mostly focused on LPS and Softies with no intentions of going into the SPS game.

That being said any way I should lean based on the light options below:

  • 1 x Kessil AP9x
  • 1 x Orphek Natura iCon
  • 1 x Razor X R5 200W
  • 1 x Reef Factory Reef Flare Medium
  • 2 x RedSea ReefLED 90s
Thanks a ton!!!
 

VintageReefer

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I run 2 reefbreeders photon 36 over my 36x22x22" tank. One would probably be enough but I set mine up as an acro tank so I wanted to be sure I had enough light. @VintageReefer has some very nice LPS that he keeps under photons.
I keep acro also :) but not acro dominant. It’s a good mixed reef though with a bunch of acros growing out.
My photons highest channel is 45% plenty of room to bump up if I needed more power

Single photon 48 over a 75g reef

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Old pic but shows how sleek the fixture is
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JoJosReef

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I just got an Orphek Atlantik upgraded V4 for my 48x20x20 tank. No measurements yet, but spread looks good. I would imagine the Natura would be great for a 36L.
Forgot photos
PXL_20250109_083145919.jpg

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PXL_20250109_203247079.jpg
 

eggie

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Proud new owner of a Neptunian Cube MP90 (65~ gallons of display tank at appx. 36x20x20 dimensions). I’ve been researching lights and have narrowed down a few options and would love some input. Overall I’d prefer a single wider light over the look of 2 separate lights but I added an option just to see everyone’s thoughts.

My tank will be mostly focused on LPS and Softies with no intentions of going into the SPS game.

That being said any way I should lean based on the light options below:

  • 1 x Kessil AP9x
  • 1 x Orphek Natura iCon
  • 1 x Razor X R5 200W
  • 1 x Reef Factory Reef Flare Medium
  • 2 x RedSea ReefLED 90s
Thanks a ton!!!
From this list I would personally go with the Orphek
 

14 foot reef

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Quanta Atlas Light, one and done at $500.00



IMG_9412.JPEG
 

Hooz

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A ReefBreeder Photon v2 32" would do great. Maybe a 24" Meridian.

I have a similar size 65g, and I run a pair of Lux upgraded Hydra 26HDs.

There are a ton of options.
 
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bsdubois00

bsdubois00

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I just posted in the Reef Breeder forum. Looks like the Photon is no longer made but you can find them here and there. I’m curious if a Photon 32 is better than a Meridian 24 or vice versa.
 

Hooz

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I just posted in the Reef Breeder forum. Looks like the Photon is no longer made but you can find them here and there. I’m curious if a Photon 32 is better than a Meridian 24 or vice versa.

Meridian 24 is probably "better", but also more money than a used Photon.
 

VintageReefer

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Meridian 24 is probably "better", but also more money than a used Photon.
Better in the sense they give more light from a smaller footprint and has a few more “features”

I like the Meridian. I’m not sure the price increase brings anything that to me is valuable but it does bring new stuff and it does look nice

Photons are great fixtures that work well. I’ve used a photon 32 on a 36” tank and had excellent results. They fully cover the tank in light from one unit
 
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bsdubois00

bsdubois00

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Better in the sense they give more light from a smaller footprint and has a few more “features”

I like the Meridian. I’m not sure the price increase brings anything that to me is valuable but it does bring new stuff and it does look nice

Photons are great fixtures that work well. I’ve used a photon 32 on a 36” tank and had excellent results. They fully cover the tank in light from one unit
From a light output standpoint - would the Photon 32 actually be stronger than the Meridian 24 (more capable should I want to expand to SPS later) or are they pretty equal in output?
 

VintageReefer

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From a light output standpoint - would the Photon 32 actually be stronger than the Meridian 24 (more capable should I want to expand to SPS later) or are they pretty equal in output?

Put it this way. I have a 48” tank with a photon 42. The light is almost the width of the tank and I have even top down directed light full span. Nothing is hit from just one side or at an extreme angle

RB days the lenses and specs changed. And now a Meridian 35 can do the same on my 48” tank

It’s hard for me to understand how…but they claim a Meridian 35 is same coverage and par as a photon 48

Same for a Meridian 24 vs photon 32
 

VintageReefer

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Sounds like the Meridian 24 is the way to go.
According to the website the meridian 24 willl fully cover a tank 24x36 with the default lenses

If you ever needed more coverage down the line when your tank is a fully packed with sps colonies branching everywhere (I have faith in you!) then you could always add the matching edge bars and angle them however you need.
 

ChrisfromBrick

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You can do 3 quanta bars combo kit when they go back in stock. I have a meso blue on my 36" tank and its really nice. Great output. Im thinking of doing a 3 bar combo on my 48x20x20 that will be eventually set up. I think if you combine 2 reef crest daylights and 1 meso blue, you will easily achieve 300 par toward top of tank. Though, I like the idea of 2 meso and 1 rcd for a more popping look. I worry about it looking too white with 2:1
 

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