Need input on proposed lighting arrangement improvementss

ojonas81 · 11/29/2017, 08:25 PM

I currently have a 150g tank with mixed reef, heavy on SPS. It has been up and running since 2013. I currently have two Radion G2 Pro with the standard lenses over it in the configuration as can be seen below.

I now have some larger colonies and I have noticed that less light are reaching certain parts of the tank. One idea I am toying with is to do the following:

Upgrade the exiting two Radions to G3 Pro
Add wide angle lenses (or TIR?)
Add one more new G3 Pro to match the two upgraded ones
Reconfigure the light layout to what can be seen in the picture below

Does this make any sense or do you have any better recommendations? What about the lenses, will I see an improvement bu changing them too? Or just change lenses and stay with the current G2 and add another used G2 Pro?

Any thoughts and recommendations are welcomed.

Cheapreef · 11/29/2017, 08:27 PM

IMO I would keep the lights you have in the arrangment you have and add 2 T5 on either side.

ojonas81 · 11/29/2017, 09:34 PM

I should add that I am running this tank rimless and no canopy. I would like to keep all the lights LED and Radions.

Ron Reefman · 11/30/2017, 05:59 AM

How long is your 150g tank?

Lenses will help. If the issue is small enough.

If the low light area is a bigger issue, just bite the bullet and get the 3rd fixture. You can always run them at lower levels if 3 makes too much light. Remember that where the 3 fixture light overlap, the PAR goes up a lot.

cincyjim · 11/30/2017, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapreef

IMO I would keep the lights you have in the arrangment you have and add 2 T5 on either side.

+1, this is what I was thinking as well. The T5s should give you the missing coverage you need.

ojonas81 · 11/30/2017, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

How long is your 150g tank?

Lenses will help. If the issue is small enough.

If the low light area is a bigger issue, just bite the bullet and get the 3rd fixture. You can always run them at lower levels if 3 makes too much light. Remember that where the 3 fixture light overlap, the PAR goes up a lot.

The tank is 48" long and 30" wide.

ojonas81 · 11/30/2017, 11:02 PM

I appreciate all the replies but I will stay with Radions only. Do not like T5 or halide.

ojonas81 · 12/15/2017, 08:38 AM

Will upgrading to G3 Pro give me a significant improvement compared to my current G2 Pro? Or is it money down the drain?

One new option I have not thought about before was to, instead of adding a new X30W G4 Pro in the middle, add a X15W G4 Pro instead. That would add some extra umph in the center and give a little better coverage towards the ends.

Also, TIR or wide angle lenses? Which one should I go for?

11/29/2017, 08:25 PM	#1
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	Need input on proposed lighting arrangement improvementss I currently have a 150g tank with mixed reef, heavy on SPS. It has been up and running since 2013. I currently have two Radion G2 Pro with the standard lenses over it in the configuration as can be seen below. I now have some larger colonies and I have noticed that less light are reaching certain parts of the tank. One idea I am toying with is to do the following: Upgrade the exiting two Radions to G3 Pro Add wide angle lenses (or TIR?) Add one more new G3 Pro to match the two upgraded ones Reconfigure the light layout to what can be seen in the picture below Does this make any sense or do you have any better recommendations? What about the lenses, will I see an improvement bu changing them too? Or just change lenses and stay with the current G2 and add another used G2 Pro? Any thoughts and recommendations are welcomed.

11/30/2017, 05:59 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	How long is your 150g tank? Lenses will help. If the issue is small enough. If the low light area is a bigger issue, just bite the bullet and get the 3rd fixture. You can always run them at lower levels if 3 makes too much light. Remember that where the 3 fixture light overlap, the PAR goes up a lot. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/29/2017, 08:27 PM	#2
Cheapreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,076	IMO I would keep the lights you have in the arrangment you have and add 2 T5 on either side.

11/29/2017, 09:34 PM	#3
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	I should add that I am running this tank rimless and no canopy. I would like to keep all the lights LED and Radions.

11/30/2017, 11:02 PM	#7
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	I appreciate all the replies but I will stay with Radions only. Do not like T5 or halide.

12/15/2017, 08:38 AM	#8
ojonas81 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,160	Will upgrading to G3 Pro give me a significant improvement compared to my current G2 Pro? Or is it money down the drain? One new option I have not thought about before was to, instead of adding a new X30W G4 Pro in the middle, add a X15W G4 Pro instead. That would add some extra umph in the center and give a little better coverage towards the ends. Also, TIR or wide angle lenses? Which one should I go for?