Lighting a 45" deep tank

[Om84]

I am looking at Orphek's Atlantik icon and Reefi Uno 2.1s for my tank (96"x36"x45"). Leslie recommended 4 Atlantiks and Daniel recommended 8 Unos. Halides are not an option because of the heat in the small fish room. I wanted to go with Amazonas but I do not have enough height space from the cieling to the water line. Kessils are another option but I didn't want them to be the primary light. I might use some Kessils for supplementing. Thoughts?

 

[oreo54]

I am looking at Orphek's Atlantik icon and Reefi Uno 2.1s for my tank (96"x36"x45"). Leslie recommended 4 Atlantiks and Daniel recommended 8 Unos. Halides are not an option because of the heat in the small fish room. I wanted to go with Amazonas but I do not have enough height space from the cieling to the water line. Kessils are another option but I didn't want them to be the primary light. I might use some Kessils for supplementing. Thoughts?

High Quality Aluminum Reflector Cups: 15 / 30 / 60 / 90

With those relector choices I'm not sure why you'd rule out the Amazonias.
Would be similar to the Unos.
You can throw a 36" "spot" at 18" height with the 90 degree lenses.
At 60 degrees and 2 ft front of light to water surface your spread is "only" 27"
but 7" down you'll cover the 36"...
31" total height.
All rough approx. of course.
Need at least 4 units.



There are a couple of " big panel" lights to consider;

Atlas

Designed for simplicity, reliability, and easy installation, this industry-leading light features 720 LED chips along with both primary and secondary optics to optimize light output, spectral blending, and efficiency. The unique, science-based spectrum design incorporates the correct ratios of...

www.quanta-lights.com

Aqua Max LED Aquarium Light | MicMol

The MicMol Aqua Max is a high-power LED aquarium light with full aluminum frame, dual-honeycomb heat dissipation, and advanced spectrum for optimal coral growth. Built-in app control and 90° spot-to-spot diffusion for vibrant reef tanks.

www.micmol.com

673 gal tank approx.

 

[Om84]

I have about 20” space from ceiling to water line. Can the Amazonas fit in such spot?

 

[Om84]

I have never heard of the Atlas. Gonna have to do research into this light.

 

[oreo54]

I have about 20” space from ceiling to water line. Can the Amazonas fit in such spot?

They list the height at say 11".
Add the 18" to that and you are short on space. Still " doable" but not economic.
Going 2 rows.

Atlas is also a bit "tall" compared to most lights and pretty sure the reflectors are out.

 

[Om84]

Do you think four Atlantiks with the 90D reflectors would work? I do like the slim profile on them and the Reefis.

 

[Om84]

Btw I mostly keep SPS but planning on making this a mixed reef

 

[oreo54]

Do you think four Atlantiks with the 90D reflectors would work? I do like the slim profile on them and the Reefis.

Rough " panel "size of the Atlantic.

A LED light that has a length of 24.21” (615mm), a width of 9.37” (238mm) and a height of 2.11” (53.6mm) .

So let's assume sideways panels..24" to cover 36"
Only need 6" of height. 8.11" ( light thickness plus light face to water line) total. So no issue w/ your 20" space.
Problem now comes down to how many panels to cover 96" using the 9" measurement.
Well 9" plus 12" . You would need 5....
I believe the Atlantic is about 200w.
So 1000 total watts over a 673 gal deep tank is probably not extreme to say the least..
Keep in mind 3 400w mh's would probably be your starting point in the"old days"

NOW a disclaimer: These calcs are to get you started. Deep tanks are certainly
"special" and I'm no expert in them in any capacity..fw or SW...but the physics is a bit straight forward.
Getting the light distribution is one thing. Getting the intensity is another.

 

[oreo54]

Atlas isn't as tall as I imagined but still could be a challenge.
Hmm actually with the 8" ( inc hook)
you then have 12" of space from the lens to the water line.
Seems good. You only need 6-10" depending on the actual lens angle (120-90).

At 240w 4 is a start. Looks like you only have room for about 6 max.. 13.4 dia lights.

 

[Om84]

I feel like starting with eight reefis would then have more watts and ability to upgrade more lights in future given their smaller footprint. Or I could still do 4 atlantiks and then add reefis wherever I have space

 

[oreo54]

I feel like starting with eight reefis would then have more watts and ability to upgrade more lights in future given their smaller footprint. Or I could still do 4 atlantiks and then add reefis wherever I have space

Each Refii would be " responsible" for a 24" x 18" space.
270w x 8 (2160w) @ $490 each ( $3920}.. Yea def a good amount of power at a good amount of cost.
But big tanks, big bucks..

I know the reasons for it but not a fan of mix/match lighting .

Currently the Atlantik is $748 at brs.
X5. Listed 218-235w 1090w for 5
$3740. Would take 10 Atlantiks to equal the watt output of the Reefis.$7480


6 Atlas @240w = 1440w @ $499 x 6 = $2994
Don't have room for more..afaict and would probably tack on $100 for a 0-10v programmer..

8 Refiis is the best power option
No need for any mix matching :)

You can go single row with them starting at about 4 of them .. 90 degrees 14" off the water. Probably start w 6.
Kind of a cost/power compromise.
IF you feel it necessary you could add "accent" bars with the saved $1000

With 8 ( 2 rows) you can go 60 degree lensing I believe. Bit more punch.
"They" could verify regarding your 20" clearance and surface area coverage.

 

[Om84]

That’s very helpful. Thanks!!!

 

[oreo54]

That’s very helpful. Thanks!!!

This is the tool I use btw...

LED Lighting Beam Angle Calculator

A simple calculator that determines spot size by a light's beam angle

store.marinebeam.com

The diameter / 2 is the radius on each side of the light.
Like the Reefi is about 7" wide.
At 11" and 60 degrees the beam spread is
12.7".
So 6.35" + 7" + 6.35" then x 2 for 2 rows.
Defines the f/ back spread.

Each light at 5.6" covers 18" length wise
96/18 = 5.3 lights for 96"
6.35 + 5.6 + 6.35 = 18 3"
So 3 x 2 1620 watts.

Of course how you space them depends on rockwork and or target areas.

Should really use the actual distance center to center of the outer LEDs but like I said rough estimates

 

[Daniel Doherty]

Any updates I’d love to see this

 

[Om84]

Thanks for the interest!
So I did end up going with mixing lighting.

I ended up with 6 Kessils a500x’s. The deep punch specially with the 35 degree reflectors and the shimmer can’t be matched. I almost went with metal halides but I was concerned about the heat in the small room the tank is in. I also added 4 reefi uno 2.1’s and will probably add 2 more down the road for total of 6 reefis.

I haven’t placed any corals in the tank yet but I do have a giant Ritteri anemone at the bottom that is super happy. I still have to do par testing so I will post those when I do them.

 

[Daniel Doherty]

Thanks for the interest!
So I did end up going with mixing lighting.

I ended up with 6 Kessils a500x’s. The deep punch specially with the 35 degree reflectors and the shimmer can’t be matched. I almost went with metal halides but I was concerned about the heat in the small room the tank is in. I also added 4 reefi uno 2.1’s and will probably add 2 more down the road for total of 6 reefis.

I haven’t placed any corals in the tank yet but I do have a giant Ritteri anemone at the bottom that is super happy. I still have to do par testing so I will post those when I do them.

That’s unreal yes I’d imagine it will be spectacular once there’s coral in it