Lighting for Mixed Reef

[Trenton Henderson]

Hi all! I’m coming up on getting lighting for my tank with the desire to have a mixed reef. The tank is a 60 gallon long (Marineland) with dimensions of 48x25x13, that is 25 inches deep and 13 inches front to back. I have two islands as an aquascape. I have been planning for a long time now to do 2 Kessil A360X’s, but the new AI Blades have been catching my eye too. I love the Kessil lights and since I’m having a mixed reef, I figured that would be plenty, but I have seen many people recommend a third light for that length. I have a cross brace, so a light in the middle won’t work.

Opinions? I like the idea of 3 AI Blades (48 inch models; two grow and one glow) or 4 21 inch grow and 2 21 inch glow. I will have to wait for the mounting options to finish coming out though.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hi all! I’m coming up on getting lighting for my tank with the desire to have a mixed reef. The tank is a 60 gallon long (Marineland) with dimensions of 48x25x13, that is 25 inches deep and 13 inches front to back. I have two islands as an aquascape. I have been planning for a long time now to do 2 Kessil A360X’s, but the new AI Blades have been catching my eye too. I love the Kessil lights and since I’m having a mixed reef, I figured that would be plenty, but I have seen many people recommend a third light for that length. I have a cross brace, so a light in the middle won’t work.

Opinions? I like the idea of 3 AI Blades (48 inch models; two grow and one glow) or 4 21 inch grow and 2 21 inch glow. I will have to wait for the mounting options to finish coming out though.

Your tank is only 13" front to back? I think 3 Blades will be too much. What's the recommended coverage area?

Honestly, if you're looking at AI, why not just get 2 Hydras?

 

[Trenton Henderson]

Your tank is only 13" front to back? I think 3 Blades will be too much. What's the recommended coverage area?

Honestly, if you're looking at AI, why not just get 2 Hydras?

They tested on 24” tanks like everyone else, so I agree, I think it’d be too much, but I also would want some glow aspect to it, which the blue setting of the Kessil’s should work for.

What about the Kessils? Would two be okay?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

They tested on 24” tanks like everyone else, so I agree, I think it’d be too much, but I also would want some glow aspect to it, which the blue setting of the Kessil’s should work for.

What about the Kessils? Would two be okay?

I don't know. I've never used them.

 

[Trenton Henderson]

I wonder if it would benefit me to add the reflectors to the Kessil A360X’s. It says it has a max spread of 20”x20” (down from a 24” square), so I’d probably be losing some light on the edges…. Again, any thoughts?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I wonder if it would benefit me to add the reflectors to the Kessil A360X’s. It says it has a max spread of 20”x20” (down from a 24” square), so I’d probably be losing some light on the edges…. Again, any thoughts?

From looking at the specs on the A360X, I personally would think you'd need 3-4 for a 48" tank... but that's also dependent on what coral you plan to keep. I have a 48" long with a large glass brace in the center and currently use 2 Hydra 26HDs. Previously used a 4 bulb T5 fixture. Unless you plan to have no coral (or very low light coral) in the center of your tank, I wouldn't rely on two A360's.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The sticky threads on the lighting forum might be helpful...

Aquarium Lighting

Discuss all topics pertaining to aquarium lighting. LED, Metal Halide, T5 etc.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Cichlid Dad]

From looking at the specs on the A360X, I personally would think you'd need 3-4 for a 48" tank... but that's also dependent on what coral you plan to keep. I have a 48" long with a large glass brace in the center and currently use 2 Hydra 26HDs. Previously used a 4 bulb T5 fixture. Unless you plan to have no coral (or very low light coral) in the center of your tank, I wouldn't rely on two A360's.

Hi all! I’m coming up on getting lighting for my tank with the desire to have a mixed reef. The tank is a 60 gallon long (Marineland) with dimensions of 48x25x13, that is 25 inches deep and 13 inches front to back. I have two islands as an aquascape. I have been planning for a long time now to do 2 Kessil A360X’s, but the new AI Blades have been catching my eye too. I love the Kessil lights and since I’m having a mixed reef, I figured that would be plenty, but I have seen many people recommend a third light for that length. I have a cross brace, so a light in the middle won’t work.

Opinions? I like the idea of 3 AI Blades (48 inch models; two grow and one glow) or 4 21 inch grow and 2 21 inch glow. I will have to wait for the mounting options to finish coming out though.

Have you thought about t5? Plug and play a 48 inch 4 bulb would be perfect. I ran your setup that way and was very happy. Now I'm running a 90 gallon with 6 bulb t5s

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Have you thought about t5? Plug and play a 48 inch 4 bulb would be perfect. I ran your setup that way and was very happy. Now I'm running a 90 gallon with 6 bulb t5s

And you can have this for 260.00 with bulbs

 

[RandomUser7]

My 55 gallon reef tank has very similar measurements. I've been using 2 ai primes and I'm very satisfied with them.

 

[gbroadbridge]

And you can have this for 260.00 with bulbs

And with 2 hydras or kessils, you're probably going to have to add some t5 later to even out the shadowing.

 

[Trenton Henderson]

This is what my scape is like:

This is why I wonder if two lights is fine to start. I figured I may have to add fill light down the line.

 

[Trenton Henderson]

My 55 gallon reef tank has very similar measurements. I've been using 2 ai primes and I'm very satisfied with them.

What corals are you growing? Any SPS?