Just wanting to clarify, if you mean 16" height the Meridian is total overkill Par- wise. If we're talking front to back depth you're going to have lots of light spill- over and if you lower the light to reduce that, again, it may be overkill.
48 wide 18front to back 16 tall or deep
If this is overkill can you recommend something?
The only other LEDs I have experience with is Orphek so I'm not the best person to ask. But with them you could get three OR4 bars, either 36 or 48" for about $600. They have a narrow beam so they would fit your front to back width well and they come with an adjustable bracket so you could minimize light spill-over easily. The Orphek App is very good too, miles ahead of the ReefBreeder App. They would recommend combining a ReefDay, a SkyBlue, and the Blue Plus.
It's not overkill. Just turn them down. I run 2 photon 50's on my 60×30×21. Actual depth is 19".
What uv bars would you recommend ?It's not overkill. Just turn them down. I run 2 photon 50's on my 60×30×21. Actual depth is 19".
2 50's would be considered overkill but I wanted a nice even blanket of par across my scape. With 2 I get that and can adjust power if the system demands it. 3 or4 uv/v bars give a nice blanket of uv/v across the system.
Your 18" wide system only needs 1 Meridian 35 for complete coverage or a used photon 48. Add a couple of uv/v bars for added color and par.
Also like I said before 3 xr15''s would be a good match in a system that's 18" wide by 16" tall.
Remember that 16" is only going to be 13" from the surface to the bottom.
Anyway just some more food for thought as lighting questions will give you many choices.
My 150 is 10 months old.
It's not overkill. Just turn them down. I run 2 photon 50's on my 60×30×21. Actual depth is 19".
2 50's would be considered overkill but I wanted a nice even blanket of par across my scape. With 2 I get that and can adjust power if the system demands it. 3 or4 uv/v bars give a nice blanket of uv/v across the system.
Your 18" wide system only needs 1 Meridian 35 for complete coverage or a used photon 48. Add a couple of uv/v bars for added color and par.
Also like I said before 3 xr15''s would be a good match in a system that's 18" wide by 16" tall.
Remember that 16" is only going to be 13" from the surface to the bottom.
Anyway just some more food for thought as lighting questions will give you many choices.
My 150 is 10 months old.
It's overkill to spend a grand on a Meridian 35 and then have to run it at low wattage. Most don't build a flat reef like this guy did so unless you like the look your corals are going to be closer to the light. I think the bars are likely your best bet and 3 48" bars will give you total coverage for $600.
This looks awesome. very well done. Looks like i should have no issues growing everything from sps on top down to zoas on bottomI run a photon 48 v2 over my 48” reef. I’m recommending the Meridian 35. Totally not overkill, the 35 was designed as a replacement and upgrade for the photon 48. Running lower decreases heat, which is the top reason for led failure and reduced lifespan.
Plus you have flex room to increase power if needed down the line without having to buy more stuff.
You’ll have no issues with this light. I keep sps in the upper half and lps in lower half. Even coverage left to right, front to back
Is that up bar the one that attaches to the meridian?You’ll have no issues with this light. I keep sps in the upper half and lps in lower half. Even coverage left to right, front to back
I added a uv bar today only because reef breeders has them on sale 50% off
I have the photon so this is the matching lumenbar. With the new edge bars that came out, all the lumenbars are now 50% off and they are still good bars
I’m looking now to see if they have one that will work with the meridian. I thing I’m going to pull the trigger on the light this weekend. And I am add the edge later down the road
His tank looks like 24" high, yours is 16". Big difference. You are going to have difficulty doing a mixed reef within just 16". Why not just get a taller tank? The more water volume the better.
Do you have those meridians tilted inward or is that just an optical illusion?The second 63” arrived today and I’ll do some par testing this coming weekend.
Shout out to @DetroitReefClub for stocking the meridians!
They are slightly tilted in. Tank is only 36” wide. I’ll be upgrading to 48” wide tanks this year so I’ll likly be adding an edge bar to the outside of each fixture that will point more straight down.
Would (2) 63” lights be enough par for SPS on a 24” wide tank without the halides?They are slightly tilted in. Tank is only 36” wide. I’ll be upgrading to 48” wide tanks this year so I’ll likly be adding an edge bar to the outside of each fixture that will point more straight down.
