Tank upgrade! How should I adjust my lighting?

gideon2086 · Mar 26, 2021

Hey all. I'm upgrading from a RSR 350 to a Waterbox 220.6 - so basically a 4ft to a 6ft with a bit of added depth. I currently run a 4ft Aquatic Life T5 hybrid with two ReefLED 90's. I want to continue to use this lighting and save a few thousand... I have two different thoughts:

1) keep the AL fixture as it is and add two more ReedLED 90's to either side of the fixture after centering it on the tank.
2) Move the current 90's to either side of the fixture and add a ReefLED 160s to the center of the AL fixture.

Or, just say screw it, the kids don't need college and buy an entirely new lighting setup.

What say you, lighting geniuses?

Jekyl · Mar 26, 2021

What size is the AL fixture?

gideon2086 · Mar 26, 2021

Jekyl said:
What size is the AL fixture?

Whoops, good question - it's 4ft.

Jekyl · Mar 26, 2021

Option 1 would probably look the best. I'm OCD and if things weren't even it would drive me crazy

gideon2086 · Mar 26, 2021

Jekyl said:
Option 1 would probably look the best. I'm OCD and if things weren't even it would drive me crazy

Aesthetically it will look nearly the same. The lights mounted onto the AL fixture are barely noticeable. I'm more concerned about even par/spread.

gideon2086 · Mar 27, 2021

gideon2086 · Mar 28, 2021

Whelp, I think I'm going to just wing it and center a 160s on the AL Hybrid fixture and then move the two 90's to the outside of the t5.

ScottB · Mar 28, 2021

gideon2086 said:
Whelp, I think I'm going to just wing it and center a 160s on the AL Hybrid fixture and then move the two 90's to the outside of the t5.

Congrats on the considerable upgrade. Sorry you did not get more input earlier. As long as you are not trying to go full SPS you will be fine. With your financial savings it would be wise to buy or rent a PAR meter to document the amount of light reaching all the areas of the tank. There will be some material differences that you should take into account for future coral placement.

gideon2086 · Mar 28, 2021

ScottB said:
Congrats on the considerable upgrade. Sorry you did not get more input earlier. As long as you are not trying to go full SPS you will be fine. With your financial savings it would be wise to buy or rent a PAR meter to document the amount of light reaching all the areas of the tank. There will be some material differences that you should take into account for future coral placement.

I appreciate your input. I am mixed, but SPS heavy. I do plan to borrow a PAR meter from a friend during the transition. If only Aquatic Life made their dimmable hybrid fixture in a 6ft model!

Jekyl · Mar 28, 2021

LED strips could supplement for a lower cost. Rather than a whole new fixture if you want a little extra.

ScottB · Mar 28, 2021

gideon2086 said:
I appreciate your input. I am mixed, but SPS heavy. I do plan to borrow a PAR meter from a friend during the transition. If only Aquatic Life made their dimmable hybrid fixture in a 6ft model!

I am a fan of the AL fixture but rely on the LEDS to do the transition work.

gideon2086 · Mar 28, 2021

Jekyl said:
LED strips could supplement for a lower cost. Rather than a whole new fixture if you want a little extra.

I've breached the summit and no longer care about cost. I'm going deep on this tank.

AJsReef · Mar 28, 2021

gideon2086 said:
I've breached the summit and no longer care about cost. I'm going deep on this tank.

What are you going with?

gideon2086 · Mar 28, 2021

Who knows. I change my mind every 10 minutes. Use my current setup of the 4ft T5 Hybrid with two ReefLED90's in it and supplement a 90 on either side of it to fill in those extra two feet.. add a 160s to the hybrid and pull my current 90's to the side. Scrap it all - get two 3ft Aquatic Life hybrid fixtures and then add two more 90's to those.

Jekyl · Mar 28, 2021

36" LED T5 WIFI PowerModule Hybrid

Create Balance with T5 & LED Lights Over the past few years we have really grown to love hybrid LED/T5 light fixtures for their coverage, intensity, and capability to create a complete spectrum, making it the perfect light for any reef tank. Built-In WiFi Controller Individual Parabolic...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

#drool

gideon2086 · Mar 28, 2021

Jekyl said:
36" LED T5 WIFI PowerModule Hybrid

Create Balance with T5 & LED Lights Over the past few years we have really grown to love hybrid LED/T5 light fixtures for their coverage, intensity, and capability to create a complete spectrum, making it the perfect light for any reef tank. Built-In WiFi Controller Individual Parabolic...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

#drool

Thanks! Now I can tell my wife I was peer pressured.