Lighting 36x36x20

[reef’r]

Looking to light a 36x36 tank sps dominant current options are

1) 32” reefbreeders v2 with (2) 36” orphek or3
1) quanta atlas with (2) 36” orphek or3
1) orphek Natura Icon with (2) 36” orphek or3

I love T5 and have a 6 bulb 24” fixture above my current tank but I do plan on keeping this tank running and not so sure I want to do t5 on the new tank although not completely opposed. I also have an xr15 laying around that could supplement as well. Obviously the Natura icon is the most expensive option and I’m not super thrilled about that however doable. I’m leaning more towards the reefbreeders any other thoughts or opinions?

 

[oreo54]

Looking to light a 36x36 tank sps dominant current options are

1) 32” reefbreeders v2 with (2) 36” orphek or3
1) quanta atlas with (2) 36” orphek or3
1) orphek Natura Icon with (2) 36” orphek or3

I love T5 and have a 6 bulb 24” fixture above my current tank but I do plan on keeping this tank running and not so sure I want to do t5 on the new tank although not completely opposed. I also have an xr15 laying around that could supplement as well. Obviously the Natura icon is the most expensive option and I’m not super thrilled about that however doable. I’m leaning more towards the reefbreeders any other thoughts or opinions?

Depth may matter. How deep is that tank?
Why are you leaning Reefbreeders?

6x OR3 90 + Osix 90 ($198/unit ) Total : $1,190

The most convenient t5 substitute since it is only 1 power supply.
Mix/match just like tubes.

NOT "supporting" it (especially if a deeper tank) but was curious as to your thoughts on something like that.
Has both the pros and cons of tubes so to speak.

Only 240w total though.
An 8 tube 36" light is 312W

A "refurbished" photon is $760..and 230 watts.
Personally, the "new" reefbreeders is starting to price themselves out of the market.
35" Meridian is a pre-order and $1000...

Cheapest of your choices is probably the Atlas and might as well pair it with Helix bars.

Quanta Helix

Includes mounting brackets and a hanging kit. This light is air cooled and it is not designed for unventilated enclosed canopies. Please refer to the warranty to learn more.

www.quanta-lights.com

Think the combo would run $800 plus.

 

[X-37B]

2 32" breeders. No need for bars.
I run 2 50's on my 59×30×22 system.

 

[reef’r]

Depth may matter. How deep is that tank?
Why are you leaning Reefbreeders?


The most convenient t5 substitute since it is only 1 power supply.
Mix/match just like tubes.

NOT "supporting" it (especially if a deeper tank) but was curious as to your thoughts on something like that.
Has both the pros and cons of tubes so to speak.

Only 240w total though.
An 8 tube 36" light is 312W

A "refurbished" photon is $760..and 230 watts.
Personally, the "new" reefbreeders is starting to price themselves out of the market.
35" Meridian is a pre-order and $1000...

Cheapest of your choices is probably the Atlas and might as well pair it with Helix bars.

Quanta Helix

Includes mounting brackets and a hanging kit. This light is air cooled and it is not designed for unventilated enclosed canopies. Please refer to the warranty to learn more.

www.quanta-lights.com

Think the combo would run $800 plus.

I already have the orphek bars which is why I have them included in the options and have the option to pick up the reef breeders for about half price as it’s used so really it was just the cheapest option and I know they are capable lights. The atlas I threw in as it’s supposed to be the next up and comer is seems like and is an option to have a single fixture over the tank at a good price which of course is a lot of the appeal to that light also.

 

[reef’r]

2 32" breeders. No need for bars.
I run 2 50's on my 59×30×22 system.

I have read through your build thread (tried to grab one of your skimmers off you for this tank) lol and yes your tank is very nice under the breeders. I already have the bars which is why they are included in the options

 

[reef’r]

Depth may matter. How deep is that tank?
Why are you leaning Reefbreeders?


The most convenient t5 substitute since it is only 1 power supply.
Mix/match just like tubes.

NOT "supporting" it (especially if a deeper tank) but was curious as to your thoughts on something like that.
Has both the pros and cons of tubes so to speak.

Only 240w total though.
An 8 tube 36" light is 312W

A "refurbished" photon is $760..and 230 watts.
Personally, the "new" reefbreeders is starting to price themselves out of the market.
35" Meridian is a pre-order and $1000...

Cheapest of your choices is probably the Atlas and might as well pair it with Helix bars.

Quanta Helix

Includes mounting brackets and a hanging kit. This light is air cooled and it is not designed for unventilated enclosed canopies. Please refer to the warranty to learn more.

www.quanta-lights.com

Think the combo would run $800 plus.

Sorry also the tank is 20” deep

 

[X-37B]

I already have the orphek bars which is why I have them included in the options and have the option to pick up the reef breeders for about half price as it’s used so really it was just the cheapest option and I know they are capable lights. The atlas I threw in as it’s supposed to be the next up and comer is seems like and is an option to have a single fixture over the tank at a good price which of course is a lot of the appeal to that light also.

I would do #1 if you have the bars.
Option could be to just buy more bars also.
I ran the bars on my 120 & 80 and they work well.
I thought about running 6-8 but went with the 50's and only have to deal with 2 cords vs many. Also the RB app is nice, imo.
I have a 24" RB on my RS 170 too.
I have 3 xr15's on my ext 50. It took 3 to get similar par values that you can get with 1 photon.
If I did not already have 5 from another build I would have went with another RB.
I really wanted the Meridians but did not want to wait.

 

[reef’r]

I would do #1 if you have the bars.
Option could be to just buy more bars also.
I ran the bars on my 120 & 80 and they work well.
I thought about running 6-8 but went with the 50's and only have to deal with 2 cords vs many. Also the RB app is nice, imo.
I have a 24" RB on my RS 170 too.
I have 3 xr15's on my ext 50. It took 3 to get similar par values that you can get with 1 photon.
If I did not already have 5 from another build I would have went with another RB.
I really wanted the Meridians but did not want to wait.

Would SPS be an option anywhere in the tank or just directly underneath the light?

 

[oreo54]

Would SPS be an option anywhere in the tank or just directly underneath the light?

PAR data

Quanta Lights

www.quanta-lights.com

 

[reef’r]

PAR data

Quanta Lights

www.quanta-lights.com

Yes the atlas would grow SPS with a single fixture but I was referring to the single breeder fixture. He’s running two on his tank which does not have the depth my tank does

 

[oreo54]

Yes the atlas would grow SPS with a single fixture but I was referring to the single breeder fixture. He’s running two on his tank which does not have the depth my tank does

A single reefbreeders can't really effectively spread light over a 36x36 area.

Point of the Atlas is a square tank.. "square" light..
If it takes 2 rb's to make a square.. well ..
The added bars of course help.
A photons spread...48" but "36" is similar

Reef Breeders Photon V2+ LED Light: The Definitive Review

"You get what you pay for". We know that sentence all too well and our emotional response to the phrase is universally a negative one. But is it really fair t

reefs.com

 

[reef’r]

A single reefbreeders can't really effectively spread light over a 36x36 area.

Point of the Atlas is a square tank.. "square" light..
If it takes 2 rb's to make a square.. well ..
The added bars of course help.
A photons spread...48" but "36" is similar

Reef Breeders Photon V2+ LED Light: The Definitive Review

"You get what you pay for". We know that sentence all too well and our emotional response to the phrase is universally a negative one. But is it really fair t

reefs.com

What are you running for lights?

 

[reef’r]

T5 is so easy maybe I should just pony up and get a 36” 8 bulb and be done with it. Add the two or3 front and back and call it a day

 

[X-37B]

Would SPS be an option anywhere in the tank or just directly underneath the light?

The 2 50's in my system will support any acros you want to grow anywhere in the system.
Same for 2 32's on your 36×36×20.
Also my system is 21.7" tall but really 19" from bottom to surface.

 

[X-37B]

T5 is so easy maybe I should just pony up and get a 36” 8 bulb and be done with it. Add the two or3 front and back and call it a day

That will work but you do need to replace bulbs. After running the or3 and quanta bars I will never go back to t5's. One bar is equal to 2 t5's.
After years of halides and t5's I really like the adjustability of leds overall.

 

[X-37B]

Would SPS be an option anywhere in the tank or just directly underneath the light?

Depends on how many bars you have. Thats why 2 32's may be a better investment, imo.

 

[oreo54]

What are you running for lights?

I'm a fw diy light guy.. See sig.
Even in fw nothing is good enough..

Physics is the same.. Spectrum and power is different.. depending. There's "some" overlap.