IM 50 Lagoon EXT Lighting Dilemma...

[Aaron Shapiro]

So I am still mulling over a lighting decision for my new build.
The tank is the 50ext 30x24x16 -- I have two Ai Prime 16's on hand and one Hydra 32 currently over my 25 lagoon.
The tank will be LPS and Softy dominant.
I'm debating a couple of different options:

1. Two AI Prime 16's over the 30x24 (worried about power and coverage) -- This was my initial plan, and I have the two Primes on hand.
2. Pull the Hydra from my 25 Lagoon, buy another, use 2 Hydras on the larger tank, and two (or one) AI Prime 16 over the 25.
3. Radions - either 1 XR30 or 2 XR15's they just cost a king's ransom and I can't get a clear idea on what I'd need for the 30x24x16 area.
4. Orphek - I hear the app is garbage but... HOW garbage is it?

The question remains - would I see a noticeable performance difference over a 30x24 tank in the Radions or are Hydras fine?
I must admit the gear-tech-nerdy side of me wants to get the newest flashiest thing (radions) but... Either Radion setup would cost near $1k -- that's a bitter pill.

 

[Big G]

Bump

 

[Aaron Shapiro]

I wound up going with two Hydra 32HD’s.