Lighting for future tank

[collosalness]

Looking at the rsr250 for a potential future tank. Been doing a lot of research on the lights.

My goal is a mixed lps/sps reef.

Heard conflicted opinions on whether the included reefled90 can grow acros.

The BRS par numbers seems to suggest that unless it’s right at the top acros pars are around the 250 range around 6 inches down.

I thought about a couple other options too like.

AP9x
(Seems like pars are relatively comparable)

Radion XR15 x2

The tank would be close to 36 inches so 2 xr30 is overkill it seems.

Thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

Love my kessil

 

[keatonmjenkins]

Kessil’s are the best lighting. The shimmer is unmatched and the par is all around the same as everything else.

 

[collosalness]

Kessil’s are the best lighting. The shimmer is unmatched and the par is all around the same as everything else.

Par enough to grow sps? Or do you need to supplement?

 

[keatonmjenkins]

Par enough to grow sps? Or do you need to supplement?

Yes they have great par numbers.

 

[The_Paradox]

Kessil’s are the best lighting. The shimmer is unmatched and the par is all around the same as everything else.

That’s good to know this has been settled. So many topics can be closed now.

 

[keatonmjenkins]

That’s good to know this has been settled. So many topics can be closed now.

I feel like it’s been settled for a while now about shimmer.

 

[collosalness]

I feel like it’s been settled for a while now about shimmer.

How does the kessil compare in terms of reliability, cold spots/coverage for a 36” tank.

I know at least with two fixtures you can change spacing or add a third, the Ap9x doesn’t give you that option, although it is quite a bit less than buying two of xr15 or a360x

 

[Oldreefer44]

Numerous lights will work for you. Would look at the dimensions of your tank and how well the lights you are looking at cover your tank. Numerous threads on lighting. Most will try to sell you on what they have. ALL of the name brands will work for you and several "black box " units. Depending on the location you may also consider how they mount and would look there.

 

[VintageReefer]

Opinions are like…
Everybody has one lol

In my experience and from my preferences / taste…yes I agree that kessil has the best shimmer. However I have never been a fan of the look of kessil, and being a point based / puck fixture you get shadowing. Multiple units does reduce it

I would recommend for sps/lps mixed reef a photon 36 from reefbreeders. It’s a panel style and has excellent coverage across the entire tank, the spectrum range is great, the fixture is slimline, sleek and modern looking. It’s silent and the fans probably never will come on under normal usage. And it’s middle of the range price and comes with hanging kit and tank Mount included. Oh. It’s a par beast also and can really pump out a lot of par end to end in the tank

Attached are par numbers (if fixture run at 100%) for a photon 32 on a 36” tank

Plenty capable of keeping sps at 50% power