Light fixture recommendations

[RossB]

What center mounted light fixture would you recommend for a 36x18x25 tank with an internal overflow centered on the back wall? Tank will be mostly fish with a few soft corals. I have been looking at the Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED, Hydra 64 HD LED, and the ATI Straton X LED. The Straton seems like it might be too wide and will end up casting a far amount of light on the overflow chamber.

 

[X-37B]

You could also do 2 Meridia edge bars instead with just soft coral and fish.
Or the Meridian 35 for that sized system for more than enough power.

 

[CheifReeferNB]

Since it’s mostly fish and minimal coral, I’d emphasize a light with a nice full spectrum (XR30 pro over blue for example). With just softies, you won’t need crazy par or coverage.

The meridian 14K has a beautiful daylight spectrum with more than enough blue at night for pop, but they are quite expensive.

Given the dimensions of your tank, you may be better off with bars so I’d look at quanta helixes as well, no personal experience but they are very cost effective. A set of 3 would be fine.

 

[slingfox]

What center mounted light fixture would you recommend for a 36x18x25 tank with an internal overflow centered on the back wall? Tank will be mostly fish with a few soft corals. I have been looking at the Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED, Hydra 64 HD LED, and the ATI Straton X LED. The Straton seems like it might be too wide and will end up casting a far amount of light on the overflow chamber.

A Straton X could cover that footprint especially if it only fish and soft coral (ie, you can run at a low setting). There will likely be light spillage since it can be tricky to cover 36” width and 18” depth. I am not sure the Straton X would be worthwhile since it is a premium light aimed that generates massive par for heavier coral systems. That said, if you have the budget I am sure the light would look super nice.

Alternatively, you may want to look into one of the bar lights like the AI Blade.

 

[areefer01]

You could also do 2 Meridia edge bars instead with just soft coral and fish.
Or the Meridian 35 for that sized system for more than enough power.

Why would we recommend Meridian's with the recent subscription model?

 

[areefer01]

What center mounted light fixture would you recommend for a 36x18x25 tank with an internal overflow centered on the back wall? Tank will be mostly fish with a few soft corals. I have been looking at the Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED, Hydra 64 HD LED, and the ATI Straton X LED. The Straton seems like it might be too wide and will end up casting a far amount of light on the overflow chamber.

Use your favorite search engine and look for telegraham light test and you will get some results that may help answer your question. Reeffi, quanta, even one or two clone choices such as the Nicrews.

Ecotech, AI Hydras, and ATI are all good kits but at a premium. The Straton will get the nod for best design, passive cooling, and projected LED life span since they are running them at lower power as part of their thermal management. Is that worth the price premium hard to say.

Also worth noting that each of the other kits you mention do not have a paywall for app features.

Good luck.

 

[X-37B]

Why would we recommend Meridian's with the recent subscription model?

First because they are great lights!
You can run your meridians, I run mine and 3 Photons on the app. Premium as I understand it is not needed unless you want to pay for it, I dont.