Lighting for NUVO EXT 100

[Frigideus]

As I've been planning for a new reef tank, I haven't been able to decide what fixture to purchase so I am here yet again back on the forum.

Doing a 100 gallon mixed reef tank, and will upgrade if I decide this hobby is for me. The model of tank I am using is a NUVO EXT 100 from IM.

I've been looking at 2 specific light fixtures, those being:

- Kessil AP9X
- 2x ReeFi 2.0

As the EXT 100 is a 4ft tank, will these be enough, assuming I pick one?

I would almost assuredly pick the Kessil, as I've read plenty of good things about it on these forums, but the EXT 100's overflow is in the center of the tank, and since the AP9X is a singular piece, I'm not sure if I can put the mounting bar directly on the overflow or if that would cause any problems. Hanging from the ceiling is not an option, as the ceiling is about 6-7 feet above where I plan to put the tank at minimum, so I don't know if I'm forced to go with two separate fixtures, or if I can just mount it over the overflow.

ReeFi also seems to have a following here, but I'm just not entirely sure.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about Radions, Nicrew, Noopsyche, Orpheks, Halides, and many other fixtures here, and it is honestly sensory overload for a new reefer. If possible, I want to keep my lighting simple, but any input on this is very appreciated.

I would also like to note I do prefer a more light and natural shade of blue over the dark windex blue, so any nice looking lights like that is also appreciated.

 

[Rocks reef]

A single Kessil APX9 over a 4 foot tank will leave a lot of very low PAR areas. The sides and front/back of the tank will get relatively little light.

As you can see in the picture below. It says it covers 48"x24". However, this is mounted 15" above the water surface. Notice all the black area?

 

[Drewe]

You will need two lights to cover 48". If the budget is <$1000 I would highly recommend Nicrews (if in US) or Noopsyches. If you're not planning on wall to wall SPS and want name brand it would be two XR15s IMO

If it were me I'd go with 3 150w Nicrews from Amazon and run them around 50%

 

[cedwards04]

I had the same tank lit by 3 ai hydra 26 hd's. it was ok for a mixed reef with some sps. i had plenty of par, but i would have needed a 4th if i were going to go sps dominate. you have to consider that light waves travel in a straight line, so shading becomes an issue. if you don't want sps you can get away with fewer fixtures.

i do not think the kessil ap9x is a good choice for this tank. if i wanted to go kessil, i would go with 2 a360xe's and know that you will need to either add some t5 or led light bars once corals started growing in, or add more a360's.

if you plan your aquascape around knowing that you will have 2 pendant lights, it wont be difficult to place corals under them in a way that works.

i have no experience with the reefi lights but have read good things about them. my only reservations with them is i have seen pictures and heard from others that their spectrum is a bit purple rather than blue. if thats true, that would drive me nuts.

 

[Frigideus]

A single Kessil APX9 over a 4 foot tank will leave a lot of very low PAR areas. The sides and front/back of the tank will get relatively little light.

As you can see in the picture below. It says it covers 48"x24". However, this is mounted 15" above the water surface. Notice all the black area?

Are there any light fixtures you'd recommend?

Also, I went to my LFS yesterday and asked this same question, and they told me I should try this:

Amazon product

I would obviously be upgrading this light once my tank is ready for SPS, but is this a waste of my time or would it be enough for the tank? How many fixtures should I be getting, if any?

 

[Frigideus]

You will need two lights to cover 48". If the budget is <$1000 I would highly recommend Nicrews (if in US) or Noopsyches. If you're not planning on wall to wall SPS and want name brand it would be two XR15s IMO

If it were me I'd go with 3 150w Nicrews from Amazon and run them around 50%

I was looking into Nicrews but unfortunately it seems like the main complaint surrounding them as that they make a lot of noise, which if true would be unacceptable for the household. As for Radions, I have read they're good but it seems like people say there are better fixtures for cheaper? I know reef lighting is a very personally biased subject so I'm just trying to get as many opinions as possible here. the XR15 was my original choice, but I do want to keep my mind open for now, especially since other comparable lights like ReeFi and Mitras seem to be half the price of the Radions.

 

[Manose]

I have 2x Reefi 2.1 pro lights over my 48in 100 gallon tank and love them. I use the included 120 degree reflector and my par is very good at a low wattage.