Can Photon32 grow SPS in a 180 gal?

LetsGetTanked · 09/13/2013, 07:43 PM

I'm looking for opinions. I'm starting to piece together a 180gallon setup and I'm considering running LEDs this time around. My goal is to have another full SPS reef with clams on the sandbed. Do you think two photon32's will be able to handle my needs?

sparky5785 · 09/13/2013, 07:47 PM

Powerwise and spreadwise yes the only thing I'd be concerned about would be if there are any braces at the top and how they are laid out. I went with 3 photon 16's or you could even do 3 photon 24's if you really want a ton of punch.

LetsGetTanked · 09/13/2013, 08:02 PM

how's the color balance and spread with the 16's? I saw someone selling three of them and thought about making an offer.

LetsGetTanked · 09/13/2013, 08:03 PM

Do you have any pics of your tank by chance?

LetsGetTanked · 09/13/2013, 08:07 PM

FYI - my tank is a standard Marineland 180 with 2 braces on top

Rarend99 · 09/13/2013, 08:20 PM

I think 3 16s would be way better

Ron Reefman · 09/14/2013, 05:09 AM

My 180g with 2 IT2080's and I have an 18" frosted glass center brace. Oh, and my sps and lps corals are growing just as fast now as they did when I had 1000W of MH and 160W of t5. Mine have been running 24/7 for 9 months now.

And 3 16's would NOT be "way better" than 2 32's. The 16's have 55 leds (153 total) and would cost you $960 total, the 32's have 99 leds (198 total) and would cost you $900 total. And unless your braces are really wide, you won't even know they are there. Or if you set the lights almost right on the braces. Get the 32" fixture IMHO.

Rarend99 · 09/14/2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

My 180g with 2 IT2080's and I have an 18" frosted glass center brace. Oh, and my sps and lps corals are growing just as fast now as they did when I had 1000W of MH and 160W of t5. Mine have been running 24/7 for 9 months now.

And 3 16's would NOT be "way better" than 2 32's. The 16's have 55 leds (153 total) and would cost you $960 total, the 32's have 99 leds (198 total) and would cost you $900 total. And unless your braces are really wide, you won't even know they are there. Or if you set the lights almost right on the braces. Get the 32" fixture IMHO.

My apologies I thought he said 1 photon 32 lol, so in my eyes I was thinking what the heck that won't cover it at all

LetsGetTanked · 09/14/2013, 09:12 PM

cool. Thanks for the pic and the advice. I think I'm going to go with two of the photon32's

Ron Reefman · 09/15/2013, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rarend99

My apologies I thought he said 1 photon 32 lol, so in my eyes I was thinking what the heck that won't cover it at all

You're right about 1 32" not being enough! And if I had a nickel for every time I miss read a post here, I'd have a lot of nickels!

09/13/2013, 07:43 PM	#1
LetsGetTanked Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Galloway, OH Posts: 103	Can Photon32 grow SPS in a 180 gal? I'm looking for opinions. I'm starting to piece together a 180gallon setup and I'm considering running LEDs this time around. My goal is to have another full SPS reef with clams on the sandbed. Do you think two photon32's will be able to handle my needs?

09/13/2013, 08:20 PM	#6
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	I think 3 16s would be way better __________________ 50 Gallon Rimless Radion PRO 2x Mp10s Apex The Works Current Tank Info: Cadlights Rimless

09/14/2013, 05:09 AM	#7
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	My 180g with 2 IT2080's and I have an 18" frosted glass center brace. Oh, and my sps and lps corals are growing just as fast now as they did when I had 1000W of MH and 160W of t5. Mine have been running 24/7 for 9 months now. And 3 16's would NOT be "way better" than 2 32's. The 16's have 55 leds (153 total) and would cost you $960 total, the 32's have 99 leds (198 total) and would cost you $900 total. And unless your braces are really wide, you won't even know they are there. Or if you set the lights almost right on the braces. Get the 32" fixture IMHO. __________________ 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 Last edited by Ron Reefman; 09/14/2013 at 05:16 AM.

09/13/2013, 07:47 PM	#2
sparky5785 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 143	Powerwise and spreadwise yes the only thing I'd be concerned about would be if there are any braces at the top and how they are laid out. I went with 3 photon 16's or you could even do 3 photon 24's if you really want a ton of punch.

09/13/2013, 08:02 PM	#3
LetsGetTanked Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Galloway, OH Posts: 103	how's the color balance and spread with the 16's? I saw someone selling three of them and thought about making an offer.

09/13/2013, 08:03 PM	#4
LetsGetTanked Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Galloway, OH Posts: 103	Do you have any pics of your tank by chance?

09/13/2013, 08:07 PM	#5
LetsGetTanked Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Galloway, OH Posts: 103	FYI - my tank is a standard Marineland 180 with 2 braces on top

09/14/2013, 09:12 PM	#9
LetsGetTanked Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Galloway, OH Posts: 103	cool. Thanks for the pic and the advice. I think I'm going to go with two of the photon32's