Low boy frag tank lighting

[Kpshc707]

Hello I have been lurking around on here for a bit but looking for some answers. I'm on my 4th reef tank but setting up a 5th.. I got given a low boy frag tank Drilled with return and overflow I have everything to set it up from my previous tanks besides lighting. I would like to use 2 radion xr15s but in the mean time I'm thinking 4ft T5. It will be sps frags and wondering if T5 is still a good option and if i should go 6 bulb or 8 bulb I can get a 8 bulb fixture for $50 bucks just wondering if that will be overkill or not

 

[Spare time]

T5 still works. You could also go with something in between radions and t5 by using some like blades, reefbrites, etc. If you go with a t5, I would think a 6 bulb would be fine given the height of the tank. BRS has a video on t5's that might be helpful. I'd also check out their reef brite and AI blade videos too. I personally would go with LED bars if its an SPS grow out since you get the coverage of a t5 fixture with the efficieny (cost+power) of LEDs.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/brstv-investigates-ati-sunpower-t5

 

[jda]

I have a Gen 4 xr30 covering half of a lowboy and it does not do a great job of covering that area even up 15" off of the surface. I get shadows and stuff. xr15 is probably weak, IMO.

 

[Rimsky]

What about a set of 3-4 of those new AI Blades? I’m thinking a set of the 22” grow version oriented parallel to the 24” sides of the low boy. Would it work?

 

[Rimsky]

Your feedback is appreciated.... what do you think about lighting a 50 gallon low boy frag tank (24 x 48") with a set of 3-4 AI Blades oriented in parallel to the 24" side? I'm thinking the 22" blades would be enough, type "Grow". or Maybe intercalated Grow-Glow-Grow-Glow.

 

[leesoddsea]

2 XR-15's will be plenty, make sure they are the right height & spaced properly.

 

[Rimsky]

2 XR-15's will be plenty, make sure they are the right height & spaced properly.

Thanks for the input. So 2 Hydra 32 HDs would be a similar setup I guess. I have that setup on my 20 gallon and feel it would be enough power but lack the proper coverage. That is why I had the idea of a set of 3-4 21" AI Blades. Those are cheaper and having more would help with coverage.

 

[DeepintheReef]

I used a dimmable 8 bulb T5 fixture as well as two Gen 3 XR30s and was happy with either setup. T5 is probably better coverage for acros.

 

[Colton Yuchnewicz]

Hello I have been lurking around on here for a bit but looking for some answers. I'm on my 4th reef tank but setting up a 5th.. I got given a low boy frag tank Drilled with return and overflow I have everything to set it up from my previous tanks besides lighting. I would like to use 2 radion xr15s but in the mean time I'm thinking 4ft T5. It will be sps frags and wondering if T5 is still a good option and if i should go 6 bulb or 8 bulb I can get a 8 bulb fixture for $50 bucks just wondering if that will be overki

i love T5 lighting, if you can get an 8 bulb fixture, i would. but 6 bulb is plenty. I have a 4 bulb on my lowboy frag tank and it does the job. (I use a canopy to trap light better)

 

[David_CO]

2 XR-15's will be plenty, make sure they are the right height & spaced properly.

2 xr-15's is not near enough. I run 2 xr30 gen 6 and 4 T5 in an aquatic life fixture over a low boy. without the T5's the XR30's are not enough to fully blanket IMO.