Need help with lighting decision for IM 50 Lagoon

[BBReef14]

Hi there and thanks ahead of time for the help.

I have an Innovative Marine 50 Lagoon (display is 29L x 19 w x 16H). Will be mixed reef and was wondering if 2 smaller lights are better than 1.

Considering the following options:

a) 2 Radion XR15 G6 Blue
b) 1 Radion XR30 G6 Blue
c) Neptune Sky
d) 2 Kessil A360
e) 1 Kessil AP700
f) 1 AI Hydra 32 HD

Or any other suggestions?

Thanks again!!!

 

[Alexreefer]

Hydra 32 HD from AI is my opinion. Would like to see what others say

 

[Dav2996]

I do great with 2 ai primes on 20 gallon my tank does great with just 1 but 2 had absolutely 0 shadows.

 

[ClownSchool]

I use AI Hydra 32s and am very happy with them. If you’re going with an SPS dominant tank, you’ll want the high output in the 540 to 600 range (blue-UV) of the Radions.
Though, I’ve heard the Gen. 6 output is so much higher - even compared to the Gen. 5 - that it may be overkill.

 

[TheWB]

Hi there and thanks ahead of time for the help.

I have an Innovative Marine 50 Lagoon (display is 29L x 19 w x 16H). Will be mixed reef and was wondering if 2 smaller lights are better than 1.

Considering the following options:

a) 2 Radion XR15 G6 Blue
b) 1 Radion XR30 G6 Blue
c) Neptune Sky
d) 2 Kessil A360

Or any other suggestions?

Thanks again!!!

I have a Lagoon 50 also. I have run one Radion XR15 gen 4, then two Reefi Uno's and currently have a Neptune Sky.
Any of the choices you mentioned would be fine for your tank, depending on your preferences for color and shimmer.
I got the best color out of the Reefi Uno's. The Neptune Sky has a very T5 kind of look if you prefer that.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Option A would be my choice. I would also add the Reef Brites for the XR15 as well.

 

[BBReef14]

Option A would be my choice. I would also add the Reef Brites for the XR15 as well.

What would the reef brites do?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

What would the reef brites do?

They fill in the shadows and add extra par in areas where its needed.

 

[ninjamyst]

Looks like money is not an issue so I would go for Radions XR30

 

[BBReef14]

They fill in the shadows and add extra par in areas where its needed.

View attachment 2947701

NIce!

 

[BBReef14]

Looks like money is not an issue so I would go for Radions XR30

true, So you thinking 1 XR30 would do it and be better than the 2 15's? Was wondering if 2 15's would help reduce shadowing... not sure.

 

[ninjamyst]

true, So you thinking 1 XR30 would do it and be better than the 2 15's? Was wondering if 2 15's would help reduce shadowing... not sure.

Gen 6 has better spread. My reason for XR30 is simply upgrade potential. When you upgrade to a better tank, just buy another XR30 or two and you are set

 

[BBReef14]

Gen 6 has better spread. My reason for XR30 is simply upgrade potential. When you upgrade to a better tank, just buy another XR30 or two and you are set

ahhh... makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Alsteezy1st]

I would say 2 XR15's or 2 AI Hydra 32's.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Hi there and thanks ahead of time for the help.

I have an Innovative Marine 50 Lagoon (display is 29L x 19 w x 16H). Will be mixed reef and was wondering if 2 smaller lights are better than 1.

Considering the following options:

a) 2 Radion XR15 G6 Blue
b) 1 Radion XR30 G6 Blue
c) Neptune Sky
d) 2 Kessil A360
e) 1 Kessil AP700
f) 1 AI Hydra 32 HD

Or any other suggestions?

Thanks again!!!

Ap9x with t5? Is that an option?

 

[BBReef14]

Ap9x with t5? Is that an option?

Yes AP9x is, how is T5 incorporated?

 

[BBReef14]

I would say 2 XR15's or 2 AI Hydra 32's.

Gotcha would need 2 Hydras... makes sense. thanks

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Yes AP9x is, how is T5 incorporated?

I use this set up with the aquatic life t5 fixture. im using it on a cube that is not a good foot print for this light but it is a awesome set up, on the correct tank at the correct height.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Yes AP9x is, how is T5 incorporated?

Here's a custom job that was on sale on r2r but you can see how the ap9x goes in the middle then you will have more control over lighting and the shadow eliminating benefits of the t5

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Here's a custom job that was on sale on r2r but you can see how the ap9x goes in the middle then you will have more control over lighting and the shadow eliminating benefits of the t5

View attachment 2947736

To me that set up and length in the picture could have gone with two ap9x lights and 4 t5 lamps, I like to have more lights and turning them down instead of getting one large light, and i think corals love t5 lighting.