Help Me Pick Lighting!

[SFNanoReef]

It’s almost 2026, and reef lighting has come a long way.

You’re starting a brand-new mixed reef build (not your first tank).

Tank size: 48” × 24” × 21”

What lighting would you run and why?

 

[Gman83]

I voted for Meridians, but I also really like and run Orphek

 

[SFNanoReef]

Only 5 votes! Come on R2R help me decide!

 

[exnisstech]

My choice would be anything but radions. And yes I have experience with them as well as a few others.

 

[ReefNutsThailand]

I have no experience with those, due to my country has no importer

I use Maxspect MJ-165 Blue edition for my 18" cube and it's going well.

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew 200 Gen 2 x 2

Or 3 AI Blades (2 Grow and 1 Glow)

 

[Daniel Doherty]

It’s almost 2026, and reef lighting has come a long way.

You’re starting a brand-new mixed reef build (not your first tank).

Tank size: 48” × 24” × 21”

What lighting would you run and why?

I’d run two ai hydra 26s or 32s. There pretty budget friendly once you pick up soem second hand ones. I’ve some over my tank (see my tank thread) and they’re doing great lighting a 48x20x30 tank.
You can add more down the line then if you decide to have high end sps, but two would be great for a mixed reef and a few sps at the top

 

[SFNanoReef]

Nicrew 200 Gen 2 x 2

Or 3 AI Blades (2 Grow and 1 Glow)

I have 3 AI Blades now over my current tank. Looking to try something new and with better spectrum.

 

[SFNanoReef]

It’s almost 2026, and reef lighting has come a long way.

You’re starting a brand-new mixed reef build (not your first tank).

Tank size: 48” × 24” × 21”

What lighting would you run and why?

I’d run two ai hydra 26s or 32s. There pretty budget friendly once you pick up soem second hand ones. I’ve some over my tank (see my tank thread) and they’re doing great lighting a 48x20x30 tank.
You can add more down the line then if you decide to have high end sps, but two would be great for a mixed reef and a few sps at the top

My original light over my current tank was a Hydra and I got sick and tired of the melting lenses. Switched to AI Blades.

 

[SFNanoReef]

I have no experience with those, due to my country has no importer

I use Maxspect MJ-165 Blue edition for my 18" cube and it's going well.

I have heard and read very good reviews on the Maxspect lights. I am just looking for something that can hand from the ceiling.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Halides and LED or T5 LED hybrid.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I run noopsyche k7- great lights. Basically g4 xr30 clones but with nice glass lenses. But crappy app.

I have 5 above. 7’210g

 

[SFNanoReef]

Halides and LED or T5 LED hybrid.

Halides are a negative for me, it will turn my small first room into a steam room lol plus my wife will see the electrical bill . However I did consider adding anATI T5 option. Replacing bulbs every 6 months just doesn’t appeal to me though

 

[bvickery1974]

Voted Meridian. Have an 11 and great lights and for me at least, great Customer Service.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Halides are a negative for me, it will turn my small first room into a steam room lol plus my wife will see the electrical bill . However I did consider adding anATI T5 option. Replacing bulbs every 6 months just doesn’t appeal to me though

You have to replace the T5 bulbs every 18-24 months. I like the hybrid fixtures with 4 T5 and whatever LEDs you want.

 

[twentyleagues]

My question and yes I run them and love them why you said Reefi the underdog? I am not going to dog on the Meridians they seem to be very capable and look good doing it. Reefi blow most if not all of them out of the water though in actual capability including par, spectrum, visual appearance, control and warranty.

 

[naldo]

lighting have change so much during all this years is hard to choose,

 

[Chubbycat]

I love my Uno Reefi so much, and I use T5 also

 

[X-37B]

All those will work just fine.
I run Orphek, Radions, Reefbreeders, and Halides so it's a very personel choice.

If I had to choose today I would go with the Meridians as I really like the Photon 50's I currently run.
One 35 is all you would need.

 

[Daniel Doherty]

It’s almost 2026, and reef lighting has come a long way.

You’re starting a brand-new mixed reef build (not your first tank).

Tank size: 48” × 24” × 21”

What lighting would you run and why?

I’d run two ai hydra 26s or 32s. There pretty budget friendly once you pick up soem second hand ones. I’ve some over my tank (see my tank thread) and they’re doing great lighting a 48x20x30 tank.
You can add more down the line then if you decide to have high end sps, but two would be great for a mixed reef and a few sps at the top

My original light over my current tank was a Hydra and I got sick and tired of the melting lenses. Switched to AI Blades.

Okay that’s interesting. I haven’t had that issue yet had them running a year and a half on the “David saxby” schedule. What sort of intensity were you running them at ? I plan to just install the “Luxdium” pucks if mine ever burn out, heard nothing but great things about them.