48” Frag Tank Lighting Recommendation

[Angustia]

I’m looking for a light for the above tank.

I’ve seen the Kessil Ap9x, but it’s almost four years old.

The reefbreeder V2 pro, but most places say it’s been discontinued. Why?

The new Orphek Natura is too small for one, so I’d have to get two, kinda don’t want to do that.

What else is out there that I’m missing? Are there new lights im not aware of?

Are there smaller companies I should know about?

I’d hate to purchase four year old technology, seeing it changes so fast.

 

[fishface NJ]

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noopsyche

 

[Aaron75]

Reefi Uno Pro 2.1

 

[dedragon]

What are the full dimensions (LxWxH) of the tank?

 

[Spare time]

Quanta LED bars are cheap and effective. They will blanket the tank.

 

[KrisReef]

I’ve seen the Kessil Ap9x, but it’s almost four years old.

If you buy a new one it will have a current warranty and these lights perform well in my experience, but I am only lighting a fan sh tank with a few corals in that tank.

What else is out there that I’m missing? Are there new lights im not aware of?

Yes, there must be but how long they are going to work and how they will perform over time isn’t known yet, by default. Chasing the best is a good way to find out what new products were great and also which ones failed, eventually. apx9’s are too young to know how they will stand up.

I’d hate to purchase four year old technology, seeing it changes so fast.


So many options and no answers for what the future will determine.

I can’t help you but I hope you will consider your current situation and bias towards technology and innovation making choices impossible under the circumstances.

 

[Olefreebe]

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noopsyche

I have 3 noopsyche k7 above my low boy 48"x24"x12. Love them and didn't break the bank.

 

[X-37B]

I run Reef Breeders. They are still available. The new Meridians are out in a few months to replace them.

 

[VintageReefer]

The photons are on other websites still and a great fixture. They might even go on sale as the replacement improved meridian model is coming out. And a few people on the forum + Adam at battlecorals already have them and love them

 

[Angustia]

What are the full dimensions (LxWxH) of the tank?

48x24x16 depth

 

[X-37B]

48x24x16 depth

This was my 48x24×16 growout system running 4 gen 5 xr15 blue.
They will grow anything you want in that size system. I ran a quanta blue for a month or 2 before I took down the system and moved. Im using 3 of the radions on a 30x24x16 now.

 

[VintageReefer]

Is it just me or does the meridian look like a bunch of reefi in a single housing

 

[dedragon]

48x24x16 depth

If you dont mind having the lighting closer there will be a good amount of options from reef bars like orphek or quanta, or a huge range of pendant lighting (noopsyche, ai, etc). If you wanted the lights higher like at a fish store, something like the radion, or reefi would be a better option.
Budget and aesthetics will play a big decision in this so take your time to look around to see what you like best

 

[PharmrJohn]

The photons are on other websites still and a great fixture. They might even go on sale as the replacement improved meridian model is coming out. And a few people on the forum + Adam at battlecorals already have them and love them

I'll be getting 2x Photon v2 Pros 48" for a 203g 48x39x25. Unless the Meridians blow them out of the water. Doubting this, I'll be looking for sales.

 

[VintageReefer]

The meridians are substantially more money and while I am a die hard RB fan and owner, I just don’t see them “blowing the photons out of the water”

Claims of more watts doesn’t impress me because I never come close to maxing the watts on my photon 48. I don’t need more watts

They do claim a meridian 35 can cover the same area as my photon 48…which would be impressive if true, but doesn’t motivate me to get rid of my perfectly fine photon and spend money on the meridian.

For someone who hasn’t already invested in photons, I can see the argument for meridians - they do have a number of features and upgrades. But not enough for me to feel a need to upgrade, or for me to not want to buy a used photon 48 for 500-600$