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)...

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/brstv-investigates-hydra32-vs-hydra64

 

[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'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jasons-tank-journey.1007525/page-2#post-11746745
I now have 5 as I liked them so much and got a good deal on them
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jasons-tank-journey.1007525/page-2#post-11777506