Where are the lighting experts, help.

[Conrad Noto]

First off please don't judge, I'm not cheap. I had cancer, then heart attack last year and have been out of work because of covid. I need to be frugal because I can barely afford my meds and not ready to let my hobby go. My lights were 3 black box with 2 Kessil tuna blue in between. They were suspended from ceiling over tank 7+ years. 2 weeks ago the rig started coming down. I took them down rather than risk them crashing on tank. Tank is custom 72''L x 30D x 24H. I currently have the 3 blackbox right over tank on egg crate. I am buying the halide simulating led floods, because it seems will provide the best lighting for my current budget. Blackboxes are old and have to go, Blues will be added between new floods. These are my combo choices for floods what do you think will look best and grow ( mostly softies, LPS) few SPS.

Combo 1: 3x 50w 12000k and 3x 30w 453nm actinic
Combo 2: 3x 50w 12000k and 3x 50w 453 actinic
Combo 3: 3x 50 20000k and 3x 30w 453nm actinic
Combo 4: 3x 50 20000k and 3x 50w 453nm actinic

Dealer recommends Combo 1, wattage seems low, but have to say they are very strong and bright. I'm just wondering if 1200k or 20000k is better and if I should up the blues from 30w recommended to the 50w. Input appreciated. Honestly most important are my fish, many with me over 9yrs, but if I can keep corals going better. These combos are 400.00 with 30w actinic and around 450.00 with the 50w actinic. My meds are currently 640.00 month out of pocket so really can't go higher, especially since I don't know when I will have full time employment again.

Thanks

 

[oreo54]

20000 plus actinic isn't great for fish colors esp. with leds but you are used to it I suppose.
Would need more info on the flood diode makeup though.

Personally I'd go one color and big..
Like these:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/MeAddHom...Plants-Growth-1-4Pack/622434061?selected=true

$100 for a "36W" 4 pack..
Actual wattage is more like 96W total
Would need 2 4 packs.
Well would anyways for spacing.

$200 for 200W.
For $210 upgrade to the "45W"..240 real watts probably.
2 rows of 4

your above choices are probably not those listed wattages either.
Same w/ your black boxes..
Best was 300W total plus kessils.

As you may have noticed if you can find bb's for $100 each then you are back to the beginning sort of..

$100 100 watts is really about bare bottom for reef leds.
Daylight floods are a different story prob. due to scale of units sold.

 

[Conrad Noto]

I never had 20000k so not use to it, that's why I was asking. I've always had all Kessils or Halide /T5 combo until 7 years ago. Black box and 2 Kessils since then. These floods look great on my friends tank he has 12000k 30w and 20w actinic on his 20gal bio cube look great and everything grows.... just wasn't sure because my tank is larger and never had 20000k so didn't know if 20000k was better.

 

[oreo54]

I never had 20000k so not use to it, that's why I was asking. I've always had all Kessils or Halide /T5 combo until 7 years ago. Black box and 2 Kessils since then. These floods look great on my friends tank he has 12000k 30w and 20w actinic on his 20gal bio cube look great and everything grows.... just wasn't sure because my tank is larger and never had 20000k so didn't know if 20000k was better.

Better is relative.. If you like your friends lighting just scale it up.

"50W" for 20 gal "500W" for 200 gal 12000/20000 3:2 ratio.

There is coral color.... growth.... and look.... your choice really.
There is no crime in sacrificing growth for look or any other combinations.
It's your tank.

Only reason I even bothered is you mentioned the fish and there are better light combinations for making the fish look better.
Halides/t5's have more err "intermediate" colors at the same K temp (though most listed aren't "real" K temps anyways) as LED's.
If LEDs add reds/greens ect somewhat better.
There is the risk of poor color blending

 

[Conrad Noto]

Better is relative.. If you like your friends lighting just scale it up.

"50W" for 20 gal "500W" for 200 gal 12000/20000 3:2 ratio.

There is coral color.... growth.... and look.... your choice really.
There is no crime in sacrificing growth for look or any other combinations.
It's your tank.

Only reason I even bothered is you mentioned the fish and there are better light combinations for making the fish look better.
Halides/t5's have more err "intermediate" colors at the same K temp (though most listed aren't "real" K temps anyways) as LED's.
If LEDs add reds/greens ect somewhat better.
There is the risk of poor color blending

I ended up getting 3 50wt 20000k floods ( diodes in center, give effect like Kessil ) and 2 Ultra Actinic Pro reef bars with Sunsetters. They ramp, have all the programmable effects, intensity adjustments etc. Very happy with the look and Par readings, I did have to raise floods 6'' up because of hot spots, but great now. Thanks for your replies.