60 gal reef tank lighting

[ccasa004]

I have a 60 gal reef tank 48"long, 12" front to back, and 24@ tall. Tank has been up almost 2 years and it is time for a lighting upgrade. Currently have the marineland reef capable led. It is ubder powers and the lenses are starting to fall out.
I have zoanthids low in the tank, and some Lps. I want to get into sps and a anemone in the future.

I ruled out MH because of heat.

Right now I am between the 4 bulb ati t5 or two hydra 26. But I am open to other options.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[zachfishman]

Two Hydro 26 should work nicely. So would 3x Kessil A160 if you don't have a center brace. Cost would be comparable to the Hydras.

[ericarenee]

a cheaper option i have 4 of them for over a year now
https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-...ef+tank+lights

[OceanRevive]

OceanRevive T247-B will work great for you. It is ideal for both fresh and marine aquatic applications, specialized for SPS/LPS/Soft corals and reef fish. The price is cheap which is great for starters. The built-in controller controls TWO channels independently (blue and full spectrum channels) for both Time and Intensity. It also comes with both supporting brackets and hanging kits to fit any type of fish tank. Given the size of your tank, two units will be able to give you a good coverage. You can find details through OR website:http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=21. There are also good reviews that may help on amazon.

[Ron Reefman]

The OR T247-B also has adjustable legs and is much more modern looking than the Viparspectra fixture. Oh, and the case is aluminum not steel (no rust).

I've had the original OR S026 fixture over my frag tank since they first came out about 4 years ago and it's still going strong. It's the same leds but no timer, no legs and a steel case.

[ericarenee]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

The OR T247-B also has adjustable legs and is much more modern looking than the Viparspectra fixture. Oh, and the case is aluminum not steel (no rust).

I've had the original OR S026 fixture over my frag tank since they first came out about 4 years ago and it's still going strong. It's the same leds but no timer, no legs and a steel case.

These are nice lights... If I did not have a closed canopy i would go with something like this instead of the ones i have.. I think they both carry a 3 year warranty. And i Bought mine from Amazon .


Op Just please do not go with the Very CHEAP unbranded lights. They can be dangerous . everything from mounting hardware breaking to catching on fire from drive and wiring over heating..

[taguluchi]

Originally Posted by ccasa004

I have a 60 gal reef tank 48"long, 12" front to back, and 24@ tall. Tank has been up almost 2 years and it is time for a lighting upgrade. Currently have the marineland reef capable led. It is ubder powers and the lenses are starting to fall out.

I have zoanthids low in the tank, and some Lps. I want to get into sps and a anemone in the future.



I ruled out MH because of heat.



Right now I am between the 4 bulb ati t5 or two hydra 26. But I am open to other options.



Any suggestions? Thanks.

I have that same tank I've decided to get the hydra 26 when I save up the money but first I'm upgrading to a sump and new skimmer then the lights


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AvalonReefer]

Ever looked into or considered Kessil lights?

[Ron Reefman]

If you are seriously considering 2 of the Hydra 26 fixtures ($700) you might look at the Reef Breeders Photon V2 in either a 32" or 48". That's what I'm currently using on my new system. Both fixtures are Photons, the one set for a cool white (lots of blue) is for the reef full of coral and the warm white (all white,red & green) is for the display refugium for the macroalgae.

[ccasa004]

Thank you for the input.

With the reef breeder do you have any issues with light color separation rainbowing?

I did consider kessial, because the tank is kong and skinny I don't know if one ap700 will cover it properly and the mounting hardware puts the center of the fixture farther forward then the center of my tank.

[Ron Reefman]

Originally Posted by ccasa004

Thank you for the input.

With the reef breeder do you have any issues with light color separation rainbowing?

I did consider kessial, because the tank is kong and skinny I don't know if one ap700 will cover it properly and the mounting hardware puts the center of the fixture farther forward then the center of my tank.

It's less than it the old Photon because the leds are closer together, but yes, there are still some red and green shadow edges if you run the red and green leds. But in the reef tank I don't even run the red or green leds. And the new fixture has WAY better shimmer than the old Photon and most of the other bigger black box fixtures.