Suggestions for 180 sps

[m88a2]

I'm in the planning stage of a build and was looking for some input. I haven't had a tank set up in 2+ years so I'm probably not up to date on all the tech. I was thinking of using 3x radion g5 xr15's + 4x 39 watt T5 w/ ATI blue+. Would this be enough lighting for majority sps? Should go 4x xr15's + 4x 39 watt T5's?

 

[jda]

Are you thinking like hardcore, wall to wall acropora, or more of a mixed deal with SPS focus? It matters.

4x xr15s are not enough to cover a 6 foot tank for hardcore acropora, even with T5s, but they are fine for a mixed reef. 8x T5s (two sets of 4x 36") and a trio of xr30s would be about the minimum and it might take more than that when stuff grows out.

Nothing really has changed since you left. Radions are pretty much the same with a new wrapper and the new app sucks worse than the old one.

If this gets too expensive, then check out some Photon V2s to go along with your T5s. They cover better.

 

[nereefpat]

Recommended spread from the manufacturer for all of those style of LED fixtures is 18"x18". So, 3 wouldn't come close for a 6x2x2 180 gallon for SPS. 4 with T5s added would be better, of course. Don't know if it's enough.

Your additional 4 x 39 watt T5s would help. I would actually go with 4 80 watt T5s (5 footers), added to the LEDs. That would give you two rows of T5 on each side.

 

[Bpb]

Most economical led option would either be 10 viparspectra black boxes. Or 4 of the 32-36” (can’t rememeber specific size) reef breeders photon v2+ units. Either way for leds on an sps tank that size it is helpful to have a front row and a back row to help with eventual self shading