Lighting for my new tank

[Reefer95]

Hi all!

I'm looking for some suggestions for an affordable lighting setup for my new tank, dimensions are 72x24x30, 225 gallons. This tank is a custom acrylic tank with a centered tower overflow smack dab in the middle of the tank, leaving two "halves" in a way. This has been a puzzle trying to find lighting that will cover this all and not be crazy expensive, I've been seeing Kessil A360X's, AI Hydra 32s, Radion XR15's, and so on, on OfferUp and marketplace.

However, I'm unsure what route to go without having them on hand and the ability to par test and whatnot. I would think I could get two Hydra 32's, one on either side and maybe an AI blade along the front middle section.

I appreciate anyone's input.

TIA!

 

[paul01609]

Have a look in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aliexpress-a8se-reef-light.972836/page-22#post-12590255

 

[goosemans]

Personally I wouldn’t bother putting ai blades, not strong enough for a tank 2.5 feet deep.. just my 2cents

 

[monfilsi]

Have a look at Reefi Uno v2 pro. Tons of par at a good price. I have two of them and I could get over 400par on the sand of my 30" deep tank... not that I want that much on my sand bed ;)

 

[Solo McReefer]

Kessil A360X's, AI Hydra 32s, Radion XR15

Seems very light

Are you going to be growing SPS?, Acros?

If so, unless you get a bajillion of them, I don't think that's going to work

On those dimensions and depth, 6 Radion XR30s, mounted front to back(not lengthwise), is what I would do. That's 6 feet long

Or 3 ATI Stratons.

If you're not growing acros, nevermind

 

[Reefer95]

Seems very light

Are you going to be growing SPS?, Acros?

If so, unless you get a bajillion of them, I don't think that's going to work

On those dimensions and depth, 6 Radion XR30s, mounted front to back(not lengthwise), is what I would do. That's 6 feet long

Or 3 ATI Stratons.

If you're not growing acros, nevermind

I may consider some acros in the future but when I have extra cash for more lights.

I'm contemplating buying two A360X's off OfferUp for $750, with a controller and arms. I think for some small frags on a new setup it'll be okay and I'll just add 3 more over time, 2 on each side and one in the center. Think of the tank as two 30" sections with a tower in the center of the tank. So kinda like 30x24x30" x2 with two like 6x8x30" on the other two sides of the tower.

See pic for reference

 

[Solo McReefer]

Small frags need the same PAR as big colonies

I think a tank looks weird when there is a hotspot here and shadow all over there. That's just me though. If I were lighting a 6 foot tank with Kessils, I would use at least 6

I'm sure a two hotspot tank would look natural for some people. People that used to use tracks for light motion, for example

When I had a 6 foot tank, it had 3 metal halides over it

 

[Reefer95]

Yeah it definitely can. I'll definitely be picking more up, trying to have somewhat of a budget build for now lol til I can sell my other tank. Once that's gone, I'll have the budget to get 2-4 more.