What lights to buy?

[Cdub925]

As the post say I need help deciding what lights to buy. I’m either going to get 2 radion gen6 xr30pro or a reefbreeders meridian 45 for my IM 100g tank that’s 48x24x20. I’m going to keep 70% sps 30% lps. Before you post about this I know the radions are “overpriced” because you can get nicrew’s which I’ve been told a few times on other posts. I’ve narrowed it down to these options and would like for people who either have had one or the other or know people who have and what there thoughts are. I had 4 gen4,xr30pro on my tank before it failed and I loved the radions but reading about the new meridians has me going back and forth especially with the new meridian edges I can add on later if I need to.

 

[slingfox]

Between those two I would get the ReefBreeders.

If you are still open to options, the ATI Straton X just released in the US. The initial shipment sold out within a few hours but they will be available again soon.

 

[EliMelly]

Meridians are better than radions I’ve had both

 

[PharmrJohn]

Between the two I've only looked into reefbreeders. I have started putting together a system and already purchased the Photon V2 Pro (48"). Reefbreeders put out a great product.

 

[VintageReefer]

Meridian 45
Photon 48
.
..
…
Radion xr30
Radion xr15

 

[VintageReefer]

I have one system using meridians with dual edge bars
I have a second system using a meridian
I have third to build, it’s got a meridian 35

 

[Cdub925]

Between those two I would get the ReefBreeders.

If you are still open to options, the ATI Straton X just released in the US. The initial shipment sold out within a few hours but they will be available again soon.

I’ve seen the stratons and I know ATI makes great stuff. I had a 6 bulb 36inch T5 on my first 65 gallon reef tank. However I just haven’t seen them on tanks or gotten any results on how good they are. I do love the look so thin and sleek.

 

[Cdub925]

I have one system using meridians with dual edge bars
I have a second system using a meridian
I have third to build, it’s got a meridian 35

Yea I was told I could run the 35 but the edges of the tank might not haven enough to grow sps but since I’m planning on getting los I could put that on edges or get the 35 and to 45 meridian edges not sure which color to go with I was also told the 45 with edges would be to much for my tank

 

[VintageReefer]

Edges are strong.
A single edge 45 is capable of 1000 pat at the surface. From one bar

I run my edge 45 bars around 20-30%

I undersized the meridians to cover 90% of the tank and added edge bars to get the edges of the tank and help with angles

 

[VintageReefer]

You can always add edge 45 on a meridian 35

 

[Cdub925]

Really appreciate the other but I’m gonna go with the 45 I’d rather have a single unit to cover whole tank and not need and any bars.

 

[skey44]

Meridian 45 is great for 48” tank! Edge to edge acropora if you want! My LPS have adapted fine.

 

[killerkukoo]

Meridian 45 is great for 48” tank! Edge to edge acropora if you want! My LPS have adapted fine.

you dont feel like you need the edge bars? are you running the shallow pool version?

 

[skey44]

you dont feel like you need the edge bars? are you running the shallow pool version?

Yes shallow reef! Love the wide range of adjustment between white and blue you can do. I might add an edge bar one day but honestly I have pretty good coverage. One of my Acropora is doing great on the front edge of the tank. Acros growing great back to overflow. Normal lens at 14” height is
I have a par meter and it’s pretty uniformly high. I have torches thriving in the far corner of the tank.

Frag rack on right wall glass growing great.

BC shockwave near front glass on bottom.

Really push the white light in my peak time.

 

[killerkukoo]

Yes shallow reef! Love the wide range of adjustment between white and blue you can do. I might add an edge bar one day but honestly I have pretty good coverage. One of my Acropora is doing great on the front edge of the tank. Acros growing great back to overflow. Normal lens at 14” height is
I have a par meter and it’s pretty uniformly high. I have torches thriving in the far corner of the tank.

Frag rack on right wall glass growing great.

BC shockwave near front glass on bottom.

Really push the white light in my peak time.

thank you! i was worried about having to get the edge bar kit and man its expensive!

 

[skey44]

thank you! i was worried about having to get the edge bar kit and man its expensive!

I was too. Happy to report I can grow corals anywhere in the tank with power to spare.

 

[mbuxton]

I have a Kessil AP9X and love it. I had one issue with the touch pad AFTER the warranty period and they took care of me. Great product, nice and slim and great customer service!

 

[skey44]

I have a Kessil AP9X and love it. I had one issue with the touch pad AFTER the warranty period and they took care of me. Great product, nice and slim and great customer service!

I upgraded from this light to the Meridian. The AP9x is a great light and I still use it on my 36x18 frag tank and I grew/grow a lot of corals with it. But for full 24” front to back coverage the Meridian is a game changer vs the Kessil. The Kessil AP9x is optimized for 18” width tanks like traditional 40B, 75, and 90 gallon tanks.
I will add reefbreeders app/connectivity is far superior and user friendly in my experience. Only downside is the moonlight function is too intense for my liking, so I just run the tank total blackout at night.

 

[TDehler]

I was just researching between getting 3 XR15s and a Meridian 45 (I will get edge bars in the future) for my new waterbox Infinia Reef 190 and I ended up with the Meridians. They seem to get more PAR in the videos of people testing them and when I reached out to Reefbreeders with mounting questions they were super responsive, their customer service has been amazing so far.

 

[Gsponi]

A8se ore A8pro max.

I running them on mynew 100G no corals until now but the light just looks great and the have a nice effect