Question about reefbrites

[Max93]

Hello,

I’m switching out my aquatic life led/T5 hybrid 60” to a reefbrite 36” halide with two xho led strips on each side (4 strips total).

I’m only going to use one 36” fixture for now, and then next year I’ll add the second reefbrite 36.”

My question is about shadowing - will I have much shadowing with all this power? It’s pricy so I want to do it with one fixture first. It’s going right on the center of my 72” tank.

thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,

I’m switching out my aquatic life led/T5 hybrid 60” to a reefbrite 36” halide with two xho led strips on each side (4 strips total).

I’m only going to use one 36” fixture for now, and then next year I’ll add the second reefbrite 36.”

My question is about shadowing - will I have much shadowing with all this power? It’s pricy so I want to do it with one fixture first. It’s going right on the center of my 72” tank.

thank you!

Once you turn lights on, you will know if you’re getting shadowing

 

[Max93]

Once you turn lights on, you will know if you’re getting shadowing

Well, yeah - since I haven’t set it up yet, it’s going to take about 3 weeks, what kind of shadowing should I expect? Something that is visibly noticeable or will it light up pretty good.
Let’s say 12” from the surface.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Well, yeah - since I haven’t set it up yet, it’s going to take about 3 weeks, what kind of shadowing should I expect? Something that is visibly noticeable or will it light up pretty good.
Let’s say 12” from the surface.

Sometimes nine and other times may be at side or base of given coral

 

[Hydrored]

@rtparty

 

[Bpb]

That unit spreads the light fairly well from what testing I’ve researched. With a single unit, obviously your whole tank won’t be illuminated so the ends will have significant shading and drop off. Two at 12” high will provide decent coverage I would expect. Good mixed tank light levels. Is this a standard 72” tank with two plastic braces? If so, take care to inspect the braces regularly. Halides are known to cause plastic cross braces to crack over time. Much like the sun would if it were an outdoor tank. Obviously people used halides plenty on cross braced tanks for years. Some with no issue at all. But just keep an eye on it, if that applies to you

 

[rtparty]

Shadowing will always happen but halides shadow far less than most LEDs while keeping the amazing shimmer. LEDs that shimmer well, create more shadows in general. I run my 72" tank on 3 250w halides and 2 XHO bars.

 

[rtparty]

BTW there is a 36" ReefBrite halide for sale on here right now. Great price

 

[Max93]

Hi everyone,

thank you so much for the feedback. This is a waterbox 220.6 so it is rimless.
I will be using the kessil arms to mount it. As soon as the debt is paid (I’m also setting up a kalkwaser dosing system) I am going to add the second reefbrite.

I don’t mind growing corals only in the center of the tank at first, as this is a marathon for sure. I’ve just failed for so many years that I’m finally taking a different approach to everything. So sounds like I will have some shading just nothing too crazy.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Ideally you’ll want 3 Reefbrite fixtures on a 72” tank. I recently pulled mine down when my AC went out a few weeks ago.

I may put them back up this fall. I’m running T5 LED hybrid for now.

 

[Max93]

Ideally you’ll want 3 Reefbrite fixtures on a 72” tank. I recently pulled mine down when my AC went out a few weeks ago.

I may put them back up this fall. I’m running T5 LED hybrid for now.

Thanks for sharing. So the double fixture and one 15” fixture? I’m adding the double LEDs to them as well.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Oh, I understand. The double fixture will have 2 halide bulbs and you are adding another single bulb halide fixture later on. Three halides over a 72” tank is fine, but I’m not sure how the spacing will work with the double fixture and your tank braces.
Two double fixtures might work better.

 

[djf91]

What dimensions are your tank?

 

[Max93]

What dimensions are your tank?

Thank you.
Dimensions are 72.3” x 25.3” x 23.6”

my tank is rimless so no braces.

 

[Syntax1235]

I put three 15 inch fixtures over my 180 and it was very nice. Try building a light mount. I made this one out of square bar and placed the lights between the braces. Three fixtures lit the tank very evenly.

 

[Max93]

I ended up going with the 36” and four led strips on it.
I’m going to supplement next year with two kessils one on each side so I can get a better blend of not so blue.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Where are you guys getting your reefbrites at? It would appear MH is getting hard to come by.

 

[Max93]

Where are you guys getting your reefbrites at? It would appear MH is getting hard to come by.

I got mine directly from the manufacturer through a local guy that has his own small coral shop. I was struggling with acros and he saved me from quitting the hobby - he runs ONLY reefbrite halides and pumps some serious growth. I think you can get them on BRS though.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Thanks Max, going to buy some.

 

[Max93]

Thanks Max, going to buy some.

Definitely the best idea. Consider adding the 4 led strips to it versus just the two. It’s nice to have 600+ par.

I also mounted mine with two kessil arms straight on the tank. At first it reminded me a lot of Pizza Hut but now seeing the acros actually thriving I’m never ever using LED as my primary source of lighting ever again. It’s supplemental only.