Lighting Options

Brandon0034 · 03/21/2016, 06:36 PM

I just set up a 36g bow front with live rock and everything is cycled. I'm looking at three different options for lights that are all LED and need some opinions.
Options:
165w Mars Dimmable LED
300w Mars Dimmable LED
2- Reef Magic LED Bars from LFS (couldn't find these online but they're single file LEDs like an off-road light bar, also programmable with controller unlike MARS)

My main goal is to just get full coverage and a nice shimmer effect. I plan to have softies/LPS, nothing too serious just a few corals as this is my "test run" tank before I set up two larger tanks(135g,200+).
Thanks in advance.

heathlindner25 · 03/21/2016, 08:05 PM

165w mars is my vote

morpheas · 03/21/2016, 09:15 PM

On my 30 I have the 165 but if your budget permits I'd go with the 300... I don't think one 165 will be enough (unless you want to buy two) I'm really happy with mine though so far

Brandon0034 · 03/21/2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morpheas

On my 30 I have the 165 but if your budget permits I'd go with the 300... I don't think one 165 will be enough (unless you want to buy two) I'm really happy with mine though so far

My only concern with the 300 is that its 31" and my 36g bow front is 30" long. Would this look bad or be pointless having a light longer than the tank?

morpheas · 03/21/2016, 09:51 PM

Well that might also be a good thing because it will allow you to have full coverage without being too far from the water surface... Also the two 165 sideways might be better... I just think that the 300 will give you more options the size notwithstanding...

Rubasu · 03/23/2016, 01:24 PM

Personally, I have the 300 on my 40B - Different dimensions, I know. What I would do if I were you is get a single 165, which should be fine. However, if you get shadowing on the outside, order one more. The price difference isn't much if you do it that way vs a 300. Not to mention, if the single 165 works...you won't have to spend any more.

03/21/2016, 06:36 PM	#1
Brandon0034 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 107	Lighting Options I just set up a 36g bow front with live rock and everything is cycled. I'm looking at three different options for lights that are all LED and need some opinions. Options: 165w Mars Dimmable LED 300w Mars Dimmable LED 2- Reef Magic LED Bars from LFS (couldn't find these online but they're single file LEDs like an off-road light bar, also programmable with controller unlike MARS) My main goal is to just get full coverage and a nice shimmer effect. I plan to have softies/LPS, nothing too serious just a few corals as this is my "test run" tank before I set up two larger tanks(135g,200+). Thanks in advance.

03/23/2016, 01:24 PM	#6
Rubasu Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 230	Personally, I have the 300 on my 40B - Different dimensions, I know. What I would do if I were you is get a single 165, which should be fine. However, if you get shadowing on the outside, order one more. The price difference isn't much if you do it that way vs a 300. Not to mention, if the single 165 works...you won't have to spend any more. __________________ 40 Breeder / 20L Sump: Ocellaris Clown - Green Star Polyps, Kenya Tree, Brown Palys, Blue Mushrooms...and the clean up crew.

03/21/2016, 08:05 PM	#2
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	165w mars is my vote

03/21/2016, 09:15 PM	#3
morpheas Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 108	On my 30 I have the 165 but if your budget permits I'd go with the 300... I don't think one 165 will be enough (unless you want to buy two) I'm really happy with mine though so far

03/21/2016, 09:51 PM	#5
morpheas Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 108	Well that might also be a good thing because it will allow you to have full coverage without being too far from the water surface... Also the two 165 sideways might be better... I just think that the 300 will give you more options the size notwithstanding...