Need some opinions for how to expand my lighting

historymaker121

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I have two salt water tanks - a 60 gallon (basically a 55 gallon but 2' tall) and a 36 gallon bow front (think a standard 29g with a bow and perhaps a bit taller).

My 60 gallon is ~18 months old, mixed reef, thriving and growing corals (GSP, mushrooms, candy cane, montipora, polyps and zoas). I have (2) RS LED 50's on it. It could use more lighting, but that's what it has currently.
My 36g is cycling and has a full spectrum light that I believe is geared towards freshwater, so it's getting replaced.

So here is where I need some input. I have a couple different routes I could take, but I'm not entirely sure what the most effective path forward is.

My plan for the 36g is GSP only for coral, and to move one of my interstellar BTAs over for the maroon clown that is in the tank right now for the cycle.

The 60 gallon will continue to get softies added, but I have ZERO intention of SPS (the harder corals I believe. I'm still learning so be forgiving with me).

I want to stick with Red Sea b/c of the ability to control everything from my phone, ease, etc.

I could buy another 50 and just use it for the 36g, but I know it's not considered enough by most standards. A 90 would probably be a lot better. I'm also not opposed to buying (2) 90's for the 60g and having a 90 on each end with a 50 in the middle, and then moving my second 50 over to my 36g.

I'd rather not spend close to a grand on 2 new lights, but if I have to, I could save the money over time and go that route.

What does everyone think? I currently have 2 tanks and 2 Red Sea LED 50's. What is the best path forward?
 

PeterC99

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I have two salt water tanks - a 60 gallon (basically a 55 gallon but 2' tall) and a 36 gallon bow front (think a standard 29g with a bow and perhaps a bit taller).

My 60 gallon is ~18 months old, mixed reef, thriving and growing corals (GSP, mushrooms, candy cane, montipora, polyps and zoas). I have (2) RS LED 50's on it. It could use more lighting, but that's what it has currently.
My 36g is cycling and has a full spectrum light that I believe is geared towards freshwater, so it's getting replaced.

So here is where I need some input. I have a couple different routes I could take, but I'm not entirely sure what the most effective path forward is.

My plan for the 36g is GSP only for coral, and to move one of my interstellar BTAs over for the maroon clown that is in the tank right now for the cycle.

The 60 gallon will continue to get softies added, but I have ZERO intention of SPS (the harder corals I believe. I'm still learning so be forgiving with me).

I want to stick with Red Sea b/c of the ability to control everything from my phone, ease, etc.

I could buy another 50 and just use it for the 36g, but I know it's not considered enough by most standards. A 90 would probably be a lot better. I'm also not opposed to buying (2) 90's for the 60g and having a 90 on each end with a 50 in the middle, and then moving my second 50 over to my 36g.

I'd rather not spend close to a grand on 2 new lights, but if I have to, I could save the money over time and go that route.

What does everyone think? I currently have 2 tanks and 2 Red Sea LED 50's. What is the best path forward?
I bought 2 used Radion XR30s at good prices For my 90 gallon. Takes a little bit of effort but you can find some great lights at decent prices. Also take into consideration the mounting options. That can also help with the decision.
 

ReefStable

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Check out the Reefbreeders Photon V2 PRO. The pro model has wifi enabled, and the intensity is strong enough for SPS if you ever decided to go that route. You can set the power lower while not growing SPS.

 

HAVE YOU EVER KEPT A RARE/UNCOMMON FISH, CORAL, OR INVERT? SHOW IT OFF IN THE THREAD!

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