Lighting Placement on 4x2x2 120 Gallon

[BillB83]

Hello,

I bought 3 Hydra 32's with plans of setting up a 125 gallon reef tank but I ended up going with a new Marineland 120 instead of using my 125 gallon.

I am new to reefing i only have setup a few small tanks and I need some advise with setting up the lighting on my new tank. Most of the current coral I have is soft corals/LPS with some of the easier SPS corals but i find that I have trouble growing some of them in the small 13.5.

How do I place these hydras? I added some layouts below maybe I'm on the right track maybe I'm not just looking for some of the vets to weigh in and help me out

The tank has a large brace in the center so I'm not sure if this will effect the lighting i have to assume it will but to what extent i don't know.

Option 1
Only use two Hydras

Option 2
Use all three just set two vertical ?

Option 3
Use 2 and get some fill lighting

Option 4
Use all 3 and get fill lighting

 

[FUNGI]

#4.....

 

[BillB83]

Could also run 2 T5 lights instead of the LED strips too

 

[nereefpat]

I would run all 3 the long way, like #1 but with the 3rd in the middle. Sure, the center brace will block some light, depending on what kind it is.

 

[BillB83]

I would run all 3 the long way, like #1 but with the 3rd in the middle. Sure, the center brace will block some light, depending on what kind it is.

Its a marineland so it has a black plastic center piece its not too wide

 

[Tonycass12]

Option 3. Leaves you with the space to easily upgrade and integrate new fixtures or bars as your needs grow. Im sps heavy over the same footprint. Ive been running a 36" reefbreeders fixture down one side and 2 radion xr15s on the other. Im going to swap the radions shortly for another reefbreeders fixture I got so I can get as much coverage as possible. That allows me to run the fixtures at lower intensity and stretch out the life expectancy on them.

 

[Hooz]

I would run 2 with some strips for fill... if you need it.

BRS did a great video on mounting height and spread for those lights, so you can at least get the 2 of them mounted optimally. Two Hydras is enough for LPS and softies, fill light will get you over the hump if you want to do SPS.

 

[BillB83]

I would run 2 with some strips for fill... if you need it.

BRS did a great video on mounting height and spread for those lights, so you can at least get the 2 of them mounted optimally. Two Hydras is enough for LPS and softies, fill light will get you over the hump if you want to do SPS.

Option 2 listed above or just 2 lights ?

 

[Hooz]

Option 2 listed above or just 2 lights ?

Option 1 for softies and LPS.

Option 4 if you want SPS.

Read this (and watch the video)...

Hydra 32HD versus Hydra 64HD? Will multiple Hydra 32's perform as well AND save you money?

The Aqua Illumination Hydra 32 is essentially half the size and power of the Hydra 64 fixture, but does that mean it can only do half the work? In this episode, the BRStv Investigates crew compares the PAR data to find out if the Hydra 32 measures up to its old brother, the Hydra 64. In

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[jda]

Let your rockwork decide how you place them. The corals need the light, not the sand and open water.

I would use the blades and then place the pucks over where the corals need them most.

 

[jason2459]

I agree with the aquascape influence and coral placement.

Here's how I initially setup my 3 32HDs on my 4'x2'x2'

Build Thread - Jason's Tank Journey

One thing I did change is the lighting. This canopy is kind of unique in how it pivots open. I wanted something that wouldn't make the canopy to heavy and that would move with it easily. Also, I got a really good deal at about 50% off new price on the Aqua Illumination Hydra 32HDs. I got 4 of...

www.reef2reef.com

I now have 5 as I liked them so much and got a good deal on them

Build Thread - Jason's Tank Journey

One thing I did change is the lighting. This canopy is kind of unique in how it pivots open. I wanted something that wouldn't make the canopy to heavy and that would move with it easily. Also, I got a really good deal at about 50% off new price on the Aqua Illumination Hydra 32HDs. I got 4 of...

www.reef2reef.com