Lighting a 60”x25”x21” tank

[LCMCT14]

Hello-

First time poster here so hope this is right place.

I have a 60” wide x 25” deep and 21” tall tank coming in a few weeks. Still need to figure out lighting. Handful of questions as I want to have Neptune apex capabilities for later.

Dumb question: Are all lights controllable by apex? If not how do I know? Hard to find info on this or I have missed it.

Honestly thinking of AI blades (apex and ease of use) but interested in quantum helix as I see those get recommended a lot. Also interested in Nicrew gen 2 hyperreefs. Prob 200 watt and two of those or jump down wattage and get 3.

So question would be anyone use the above and pros/cons?

Is the integration with apex useful?
For a 60” wide tank is it ok to use a 48” blade? Full size seems like it would be difficult to get around and is a jump in price. Would use 2 grows 1 glow. Anyone have par numbers for that configuration?

Would start off with easy corals but will eventually do an acropo and monti.

TIA

 

[Rolliad]

Hello-

First time poster here so hope this is right place.

I have a 60” wide x 25” deep and 21” tall tank coming in a few weeks. Still need to figure out lighting. Handful of questions as I want to have Neptune apex capabilities for later.

Dumb question: Are all lights controllable by apex? If not how do I know? Hard to find info on this or I have missed it.

Honestly thinking of AI blades (apex and ease of use) but interested in quantum helix as I see those get recommended a lot. Also interested in Nicrew gen 2 hyperreefs. Prob 200 watt and two of those or jump down wattage and get 3.

So question would be anyone use the above and pros/cons?

Is the integration with apex useful?
For a 60” wide tank is it ok to use a 48” blade? Full size seems like it would be difficult to get around and is a jump in price. Would use 2 grows 1 glow. Anyone have par numbers for that configuration?

Would start off with easy corals but will eventually do an acropo and monti.

TIA

I can answer some of this but not all.

Apex can 100% turn all lights on/off - That said, the ability to do fine control (adjusting power, intensity, spectrum etc) for lights is more limited. Apex is owned by the same parent company as Ecotech and Aquaillumination. There is an Apex module that allows full control of their lights with the Apex as a result. A lot of manufacturers are really into proprietary app control at the moment.

I know basically nothing about the Nicrew lights except that they look a lot like the Radions and a new version just came out.

I use Dalua Illumagic X4s on my tank and a Hydros controller - they are plugged into the controller just so that I can see the power draw and if absolutely needed turn them on/off remotely, but they aren't really controllable by the controller and have to be controlled via the manufacturers app. It's never really been something that I've had much concern over as they are controllable, just by other means. To some people, this is a big deal.

I hope that helps get you started.

 

[oreo54]

Hello-

First time poster here so hope this is right place.

I have a 60” wide x 25” deep and 21” tall tank coming in a few weeks. Still need to figure out lighting. Handful of questions as I want to have Neptune apex capabilities for later.

Dumb question: Are all lights controllable by apex? If not how do I know? Hard to find info on this or I have missed it.

Honestly thinking of AI blades (apex and ease of use) but interested in quantum helix as I see those get recommended a lot. Also interested in Nicrew gen 2 hyperreefs. Prob 200 watt and two of those or jump down wattage and get 3.

So question would be anyone use the above and pros/cons?

Is the integration with apex useful?
For a 60” wide tank is it ok to use a 48” blade? Full size seems like it would be difficult to get around and is a jump in price. Would use 2 grows 1 glow. Anyone have par numbers for that configuration?

Would start off with easy corals but will eventually do an acropo and monti.

TIA

Nicrew gen 2 removed the 0-10v dimming port you'd need for full apex control.
Rumor is they are "working on" a module for this BUT I'd never place a bet on it.

Any light with a 0-10v dim port should work w/ apex.