Undecided on what to light 72 inch x 30 deep mixed reef

MPERL

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I was hoping I would be happy with 3 of the mid sized lights, like Radion XR15 Pro, or AI 32HD. But Ecotech tells me I need their XR30 Pro. I may have available pre owned AI52 HD, or a pair of Kessil AP700 or a set of 4 AI 32HD. Your thought?
 

MartinM

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Big fan of giesemann spectras here. What do you plan to keep?
 
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MPERL

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My mixed reef tank is 72 inch long, 24 wide and 30 inch deep. I am deciding between 3 Radion XR15Pro, or 4 HYdra 32HD, or 2 Hydra 52HD with one 32HD. Thoughts?
 

jda

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That is a very small amount of light. I would at least do the 30s or get a 6/8 bulb T5 setup. If you cannot afford this, then some ReefBreeders might be a better choice and are way more powerful than a xr15 or the smaller Hydra.

Radions and Hydras are not proficient at lighting larger tanks. It takes a lot of units and most still end up with T5s. There are better lights for this task.
 

jassermd

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My DT is almost the same size… 72x30x30.
I have 2 AI 64HDs and one 32HD. Running at roughly 50% across blues, I have 100 par at 1/3 depth and 75 at bottom. I don’t run much white channel (8%) and keep mainly LPS with some montis in top of rocks.
If you push the lights to what BRS has for their SPS set up, I’m sure you will get 250+ par across top of tank.
I had 3x 32s and I didn’t get much light on the sides of the tank. The 2 64s are on the left/right and the 32 is in the middle. You will get some cross over, so there will be areas with slightly higher par where this happens. Limited with the 32 in the middle… I have them mounted long wise left to right, not front to back. I don’t light the back of my tank as I have limited access.
I’m quite fond of the AIs. Seem to be doing real well growing corals.
Hope this helps.
 

outhouse

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I run 3 ocean revives on that set up. had to turn them way down to keep from burning everything. Typical 210g tank. Love mine
 
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MPERL

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I anded up choosing 3 Radion XR30Pro gen 4. Thanks for all of your advice.
 

Dolphins18

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I was hoping I would be happy with 3 of the mid sized lights, like Radion XR15 Pro, or AI 32HD. But Ecotech tells me I need their XR30 Pro. I may have available pre owned AI52 HD, or a pair of Kessil AP700 or a set of 4 AI 32HD. Your thought?
I have the same dimensions, I run 3 hydra 32s and a hydra 64. I will probably add one more 32 down the line, but I am fine without it.
 

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