Question on lighting a reefer 170

[spratocaster]

So I recently got an awesome deal on a reefer 170. It came with a Kessil A360W that the previous owner had been using. My original plan was to build out a 40B and I had bought 2 AI Hydra 26s (not HD) for that. So now I have some options and need to decide. I can go either with the Kessil or with 1 or 2 hydras. This will be a mixed reef with SPS higher in the tank. What would you choose and why?

 

[lacrosseboss18]

Never used the hydras but they would get my vote. You would have less shadowing and more coverage with 2 light sources.

 

[BoomCorals]

Given those 3 choices I'd go two AI hydras.

 

[spratocaster]

2 hydras was what I was thinking, but I was afraid of a big hotspot in the middle since the lights will be close together (8” if evenly spaced or maybe 12” if I put them 6” from the edge.

 

[lacrosseboss18]

Just turn down the intensity

 

[Finhead]

I ran 2 Hydra 26's (non HD) over my Red Sea Reefer Nano, SPS and clam loved them. Running 2 eliminated the shadowing you would get with one point source light fixture. I had mine running at 75% B/RB/V and 20-30% on the rest of the channels.

 

[spratocaster]

Just to throw in a wrinkle, what if the voice was 2 hydras or 2 Kessils?

 

[BoomCorals]

I'd go two kessils.