Lights for Shallow Square

natanitelite · 04/18/2018, 07:50 PM

Hey all.

I am driving myself crazy trying to decide on lights for my 180. It's a 48"x48" tank -- fairly big foot print -- but only 18" deep. It will be SPS dominated.

I've only ever used halides, but I think I may want to branch out this time. Plus, halides are pretty intense for such shallow water. Not to mention loud, hot, bulky, power sucks, etc

I like the controllability of the LEDs, plus the quiet and no-heat factors. But will they be able to cover my tank, look well-blended, and grow SPS? I see so so many different opinions on here.

T5s obviously do the job, but so bulky.

If I did something like the Kessil Tuna Blue A360, would I need 4 of them? Perhaps 2 Orphek V4?

What would you do in my situation? I'd like to stay around $1500 or close if possible.

RobZilla04 · 04/19/2018, 08:58 AM

LED's are well known in this age to grow SPS very well. Just look at World Wide Coral or other large retailers.

Kessil A360WE would need four as they are rated for 24"x24".

Radion XR15w G4 Pro also would need four as they are rated for 24"x"24 max.

Maxspect Razor X 200w you would need two, they cover 48"x22".

Those would really be my choices if I had $1500-$1600 to spend. Depends on how you want to mount them (hanging vs standing)

natanitelite · 04/19/2018, 02:35 PM

Thank you! I really appreciate your reply and suggestions!

After driving around looking at display tank lights all over town -- I think I'm leaning toward 2 Kessil AP700's.

RobZilla04 · 04/19/2018, 05:31 PM

Those would be good choices as well.

04/18/2018, 07:50 PM	#1
natanitelite Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22	Lights for Shallow Square Hey all. I am driving myself crazy trying to decide on lights for my 180. It's a 48"x48" tank -- fairly big foot print -- but only 18" deep. It will be SPS dominated. I've only ever used halides, but I think I may want to branch out this time. Plus, halides are pretty intense for such shallow water. Not to mention loud, hot, bulky, power sucks, etc I like the controllability of the LEDs, plus the quiet and no-heat factors. But will they be able to cover my tank, look well-blended, and grow SPS? I see so so many different opinions on here. T5s obviously do the job, but so bulky. If I did something like the Kessil Tuna Blue A360, would I need 4 of them? Perhaps 2 Orphek V4? What would you do in my situation? I'd like to stay around $1500 or close if possible.

04/19/2018, 08:58 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	LED's are well known in this age to grow SPS very well. Just look at World Wide Coral or other large retailers. Kessil A360WE would need four as they are rated for 24"x24". Radion XR15w G4 Pro also would need four as they are rated for 24"x"24 max. Maxspect Razor X 200w you would need two, they cover 48"x22". Those would really be my choices if I had $1500-$1600 to spend. Depends on how you want to mount them (hanging vs standing) __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/19/2018, 05:31 PM	#4
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Those would be good choices as well. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/19/2018, 02:35 PM	#3
natanitelite Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22	Thank you! I really appreciate your reply and suggestions! After driving around looking at display tank lights all over town -- I think I'm leaning toward 2 Kessil AP700's.