Lighting Advice

[ethans_aquatics]

I'm looking for a light to put on my 80 gallon reef tank. It's 48x24x16 inches. There is a shelf about 8-9 inches above the waterline which leaves out using AI Primes since I sohuld have those 12" above. Additionally, the back of the tank is close up against the wall which makes mounting something on the back of the glass difficult if not impossible. I built a lid for the tank which makes mounting anything to the glass difficult, actually. I'm looking at AI Blades but they are super expensive, and I still don't know how I would mount it. Any advice please?

 

[exnisstech]

Could you mount a ReefBreeder photon 48? I run them (32 and 24) over two tanks and am very happy with them. There not cheap but most quality lights aren't.

EDIT : the legs which are included have several holes so you can mount them as close as 4" above the tank. The next hole places them about 7 inches. Mine are 11" off the water

 

[ethans_aquatics]

Could you mount a ReefBreeder photon 48? I run them (32 and 24) over two tanks and am very happy with them. There not cheap but most quality lights aren't.

EDIT : the legs which are included have several holes so you can mount them as close as 4" above the tank. The next hole places them about 7 inches. Mine are 11" off the water

Not really unfortunately since there's no room to mount anything on the glass with the current jump guard I have on it. It's like my only option is to drill into the wall. It sucks not having a light though, I can't see in there and there's reflections on the glass

 

[Lavey29]

Not really unfortunately since there's no room to mount anything on the glass with the current jump guard I have on it. It's like my only option is to drill into the wall. It sucks not having a light though, I can't see in there and there's reflections on the glass

No rush, fish don't need light. As long as no corals then give your tank 3 or 4 months before adding light. This allows your tank to develop biodiversity and microfauna and will make your upcoming algae phases much more manageable.

 

[ethans_aquatics]

No rush, fish don't need light. As long as no corals then give your tank 3 or 4 months before adding light. This allows your tank to develop biodiversity and microfauna and will make your upcoming algae phases much more manageable.

It's been a couple months already, I just want one so I can see my fish and get going with coral

 

[Dburr1014]

Can you mount light to the shelf, under the shelf?
Any light can be mounted in any way. Just a trip to home depot and find some hardware.

 

[Naturalreef]

If you have access to the ceiling, I would hang black 2040 bar with 3 Reefi uno 2.0 pro . Would look super clean.

 

[ethans_aquatics]

Can you mount light to the shelf, under the shelf?
Any light can be mounted in any way. Just a trip to home depot and find some hardware.

I could do that. It'd have to go down and then out since the shelf opens towards you and has some hang when it's open. I don't know what I'd get to mount it. Do you think I can use 2 AI primes even if it's only like 8 inches above water level or should I just go with a blade?

If you have access to the ceiling, I would hang black 2040 bar with 3 Reefi uno 2.0 pro . Would look super clean.

Not possible, see the picture I posted.

 

[Dburr1014]

I could do that. It'd have to go down and then out since the shelf opens towards you and has some hang when it's open. I don't know what I'd get to mount it. Do you think I can use 2 AI primes even if it's only like 8 inches above water level or should I just go with a blade?

Not possible, see the picture I posted.

Sounds like the shelf has a draw?

Maybe a pic would help.
Might have to shore up the shelf a bit.

 

[Dburr1014]

If you have access to the ceiling, I would hang black 2040 bar with 3 Reefi uno 2.0 pro . Would look super clean.

3 uno pro on a 48"? Yowzer you would see that from space. Lol.

 

[Naturalreef]

Lol, I know it sounds crazy. What I have learned is coverage then intensity. A coral that has as close to 100 percent coverage is a happy,healthy coral.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm looking for a light to put on my 80 gallon reef tank. It's 48x24x16 inches. There is a shelf about 8-9 inches above the waterline which leaves out using AI Primes since I sohuld have those 12" above. Additionally, the back of the tank is close up against the wall which makes mounting something on the back of the glass difficult if not impossible. I built a lid for the tank which makes mounting anything to the glass difficult, actually. I'm looking at AI Blades but they are super expensive, and I still don't know how I would mount it. Any advice please?

three noopsyche k7 pros
OR
3Ai Hydra 26 or 32hd
OR
Three Orphek OR3-120 light bars (2 sky blue and Obe blue plus)

 

[oreo54]

I'm looking for a light to put on my 80 gallon reef tank. It's 48x24x16 inches. There is a shelf about 8-9 inches above the waterline which leaves out using AI Primes since I sohuld have those 12" above. Additionally, the back of the tank is close up against the wall which makes mounting something on the back of the glass difficult if not impossible. I built a lid for the tank which makes mounting anything to the glass difficult, actually. I'm looking at AI Blades but they are super expensive, and I still don't know how I would mount it. Any advice please?

Any light that is "lensed" around 120 degrees will spread enough at that height.
The expensive G6's come to mind.
Chart of "recommended" mounting heights.
Keep in mind light "like" the AquaMAXX (micmol) all have about the same recommended height because of the same design. In other words lots o stick type lights.
Problem of course is power density.

BRStv Investigates Light Position - What is the Optimal Mounting Height: Hot Spots vs. Efficiency

Optimize light coverage in your reef aquarium with the correct mounting height and position over the top of your aquarium.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The video will show the "penalty" of raising or lowering a specific light.

Think you might have more of an issue in "how to" mount than what to mount..

Anyways for $400 an AP-1200 gives you 160 watts of a wider spread panel.

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol

www.micmol.com

 

[twentyleagues]

I think your original idea of the blades will work best honestly. They have a ton of mounting options from the m8 holes on the ends to actual clip on mounting brackets. The problem with your set up and most lights is the cooling fans are usually on top either drawing air through or pushing it out and that has to be considered. Blades are passively cooled, they still get hot so you want space above them.