Lighting my nuvo 30ext

[Francoreef]

Hey guys and happy reefing,
Im looking for some help from my sps pros out there.
i am in the process of my 30 long build nuvo ext overflow.This system is planned to be an sps dominant reef. With some lps near theglass and on the sides

Currently im torn between a few lighting options

OPTION 1
2 radion xr15pro buy a third in few months if needed

Option 2
Dimmable 4 bulb T5 fixture

Optiong 3
2 hydra 26s

Option 4
4 ai primes

was also looking into kessil but have never had them and dont know if i would get tired of the constant shimmer in my living room

TANK DIMENSIONS
36x15x13
Appreciate any input i can get

 

[Iván Olalla]

if you haven´t pulled the trigger...why not an hybrid? an aquatic life fixture for t5 and two supports for either two of the xr15 or two of the primes...better blending, coverage, more PAR, sleek look and cheaper than buying a third xr 15 or two extra primes

 

[Francoreef]

if you haven´t pulled the trigger...why not an hybrid? an aquatic life fixture for t5 and two supports for either two of the xr15 or two of the primes...better blending, coverage, more PAR, sleek look and cheaper than buying a third xr 15 or two extra primes

That was my Go to, but lights bill would be a huge issue due to the fact that the tank is only 15 inches deep

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I think the other problem with a hybrid on that tank is how narrow it is. Basically half of it will be spilling over.

I have 3x Kessil a80 and a 24” T5 bulb over my standard IM30, but I have a mixed reef. Since you’re going SPS dominant I’d probably go with 2 or 3 AI Primes. They’re awesome lights, they’re on sale right now, and you’re not going to massively overspend trying to light a 15” deep tank.

 

[The_Harris_co]

I have a maxspect razor on my nuvo 30l. Fits perfect but its a frag tank so I’m looking at other options so I’m selling it for $200 plus shipping. 3 pucks for the price of one ai.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

2 xr 15’s or 2 hydra 32’s

 

[Francoreef]

2 xr 15’s or 2 hydra 32’s

This is sounding like my safest bet just because i can run them on any future bigger builds. Now its just a battle of xr15 vs hydra 32

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

This is sounding like my safest bet just because i can run them on any future bigger builds. Now its just a battle of xr15 vs hydra 32

Totally agree. I love the hydra because they have the over drive feature if you need more power, and the my ai app is awesome also. The older 26 and 52 models have more hot spots than the radions bc they use less but more powerful leds. The new models have more leds per puck, similar to the radion, and have new lenses that deliver a better spread. I talked to ai support and they told me the new models are not more powerful, they just provide better spread and spectrum blending.

 

[Francoreef]

Would anyone be interested in a im 30ext sps dominant build thread??

 

[Francoreef]

Totally agree. I love the hydra because they have the over drive feature if you need more power, and the my ai app is awesome also. The older 26 and 52 models have more hot spots than the radions bc they use less but more powerful leds. The new models have more leds per puck, similar to the radion, and have new lenses that deliver a better spread. I talked to ai support and they told me the new models are not more powerful, they just provide better spread and spectrum blending.

That’s great to hear I just came off a nano with an AI prime MM throwing that in a prime under my sump for my huge so I would be interested in keeping everything under one roof and To be honest having four pucks of light instead of two on theXR 15 gives me more spread at a more affordable price