How many Lumenbars needed?

[KJoFan]

I've got a Photon 48" V2, 1x BlueUV hybrid Lumenbar, and 1x High Octane Lumenbar over a 48x36x20 tank.

Thinking of adding at least two more Lumenbars. Is that enough to decently light the front to back 36" width? And if I add more bars, keep the same combo, just add more? Tank is mixed now, but ultimately will be SPS dominant.

 

[VintageReefer]

The high octane does basically nothing for extension of coverage - it doesn’t add par and it doesn’t add brightness or viewable spectrum.

I think each blue/uv hybrid lumenbar adds 6-8” of usable par, but low par. So the photon with two hybrid lumenbars aimed downwards should have you covered. And then if you need light angled inwards, two more

At this point you should get more hybrids, or sell the high octane, sell the hybrid and use dual photon 48. That would give you incredible coverage on the tank.

Or you could sell all this gear (photon v2 is in demand and worth 500$ used, plus the bars) and upgrade to meridians.

Two Meridian 24’s will cover the tank. Each can cover 24x36 for acros. They would be mounted front to back instead of long ways

Unlike photons, the Meridian has built in uv, so you would still get the invisible supplementation that you’re trying to achieve with the high octane bar, plus a bunch of new enhancements

 

[KJoFan]

The high octane does basically nothing for extension of coverage - it doesn’t add par and it doesn’t add brightness or viewable spectrum.

I think each blue/uv hybrid lumenbar adds 6-8” of usable par, but low par. So the photon with two hybrid lumenbars aimed downwards should have you covered. And then if you need light angled inwards, two more

At this point you should get more hybrids, or sell the high octane, sell the hybrid and use dual photon 48. That would give you incredible coverage on the tank.

Or you could sell all this gear (photon v2 is in demand and worth 500$ used, plus the bars) and upgrade to meridians.

Two Meridian 24’s will cover the tank. Each can cover 24x36 for acros. They would be mounted front to back instead of long ways

Unlike photons, the Meridian has built in uv, so you would still get the invisible supplementation that you’re trying to achieve with the high octane bar, plus a bunch of new enhancements

Originally I intended to add a second Photon, but they are hard to come by now and I'm not sure I want to spend $500-800 on a second fixture that's now outdated.

I could probably move my Photon/Lumenbar setup to my other tank that's 60" x 22" x 22". Planning for softie/lps for that system. 48" Photon would probably be enough there, and pony up for Meridians for the 48x36 tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

Keep your eye out
photon 48’s and 50’s do pop up randomly for sale here and on ebay

You have some good plans and option

The lumenbars are on sale also if you want another to hold you over

I have a photon 48 with a 48” high octane on one side and 24” hybrid on the other side. I should have got both as hybrids
It adds plenty of pop plus par and illumination