Help me choose a light!

[Travis]

I've been going over this for weeks now. Back and forth over the right choice for my new tank.

 

Background:

Tank: JBJ 45g Rimless 26.5 long x 21 deep x 19 tall.

I can not suspended anything from the ceiling so a tank mount style is my only option.

I have an Apex so it would be cool to use it to controls the lights if I go with LED.

 

I want to be able to keep an acropora dominant tank . I don't need it to grow like a weed but do want it to maintain good color. I know lighting isn't the only factor here.

 

Needing some opinions.

[righttirefire]

Ask Harry, he has the same tank with radion

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/361233-harrys-hyper-jbj-rl-45/

He's been entertaining other options. I believe his current obsession is ati Sunpower t5ho 24"

[Travis]

I've seen the radions in person and I can honestly say I'm not impressed.

 

I am kind of leaning toward a Kessil a360we but I'm not sure what the spread would look like.

[Jorgieee]

You're probably going to get some shadowing with a kessil. I believe the spread is up to 24"

[Travis]

Yeh I read that too. I wonder if I kept my aquascape no wider than say 20" in the center how the edges would look? Plenty of room for the fish to swim! Lol.

[HarryPotter]

Yeh I read that too. I wonder if I kept my aquascape no wider than say 20" in the center how the edges would look? Plenty of room for the fish to swim! Lol.

 

With a center aquascape, a Radion would be awesome.

 

Heres a quick picture from this afternoon. Its the older generation Radion

 

Acros under the radion are doing great.

 

[Travis]

How is the light spread outside of the tank? Will I be blinded when sitting on a couch near the tank?

[HarryPotter]

How is the light spread outside of the tank? Will I be blinded when sitting on a couch near the tank?

 

Nope, not at all. Zero.They are perfect for the 27"

 

I would suggest the center island as acros on the edges get sort of lit on one side only.

[Travis]

Is yours the xr30 or the older, two puck?

[HarryPotter]

Is yours the xr30 or the older, two puck?

 

Its the XR30w gen 2.

 

All of the XR30w have 2 pucks, the XR15 has one puck.

 

The difference is the new models have more LEDs, better spectrum, and more efficient.

[Travis]

What about a stand alone 250w metal halide?

 

 

No controllability but should grow acros. Thoughts?

[Nanofreak79]

The reefbrite halide fissure would be sweet. You could always build a lamp tree onto the stand, then you'd be able to hang things like the halides. A kessil would be nice if you go LEDs.

[Travis]

Bump

The reefbrite halide fissure would be sweet. You could always build a lamp tree onto the stand, then you'd be able to hang things like the halides. A kessil would be nice if you go LEDs.

Yeh I think I could rig something like that.

[gus6464]

The bimini sun is a great fixture with decent even spread.

 

The Cayman sun would give you the best spread to grow anything anywhere in the tank with the Luxcore 250w ballast.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hamilton-cayman-sun-double-ended-metal-halide-reflector.html