Lighting a 72" tank with LEDs

Big_Boss_77 · 03/30/2015, 12:34 AM

Well, there comes a time in every young reefers life where he experiences a little bit of tank envy... That time has come for me. I'm currently looking into a 125 gallon tank but I'm perplexed by the lighting issue. I'm hooked on the Reef Breeders photon series, I've been running the photon 48 on my 55gal since day one.
I guess my question is, what else is out there? The biggest they (RB) make is a 60" I belive. Would that be enough light for the 72" or are there better options? I'd like to avoid t5's or mh, as I have no experience with them. I also prefer something of equal or greater quality as the Reef Breeders, no Chinese knock offs.

I'm not only looking for hard facts here, I can research the numbers. I also want personal experiences and preferences, anecdotal or otherwise.

While the Reef Breeders LED post:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2491803
Has good info on Reef Breeders, I'm asking if there is something better for a tank this size.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!

archangel91 · 03/30/2015, 01:31 AM

If you are taking down the 55 when you set up the 125 you could get a photon 24 and link cable to run the 2 units as 1.

I have a photon 32 over my tank now and plan on linking it with a 2nd 32 when I am able to make room for a 6ft tank

redwhiteandblue · 03/30/2015, 04:52 AM

Pretty much every led fixture are modular to add decrease units per tank size. The big ones these days are hydra 52, and the radions.

azjohnny · 03/30/2015, 05:42 AM

Quote:

I also prefer something of equal or greater quality as the Reef Breeders, no Chinese knock offs.

FYI, Reef Breeders is made by Ever Grow which is a chinese company

jem454 · 03/30/2015, 06:08 AM

You still have your 48 you can add to?
If not, I'm using the 60 on my 125 and have no issues.

Big_Boss_77 · 03/30/2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azjohnny

FYI, Reef Breeders is made by Ever Grow which is a chinese company

I know lol but if I didn't say it, I meant Chinese knock offs.
Pretty sure just about every thing is made in China anymore...

And yes Archangels, I still have my 48. The connect cable is that box reef breeders sells or is it a different thing? If you've got a link that'd be great.

jem454 · 03/30/2015, 08:07 PM

It's a cable reefbreeders sells. You don't need it. You can program both lights without, it's just easier.

dickwhitehead · 04/28/2015, 01:59 PM

Did you go the 125 route? I'm wanting to setup my 125 again and I'm curious about light options.

Sn8kbyt · 04/28/2015, 07:15 PM

Check out Rapid LED, great fixtures at a great price, and the support can't be beat!

DamonG · 04/28/2015, 07:36 PM

I have a 6 foot 180, and am using the photon 48 also. I am going to purchase another 24,which will, according to my calculations, only leave 3 inches on each end. So the coverage should be very good.

Here is a hyper for the link cable :

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photo-link/

03/30/2015, 12:34 AM	#1
Big_Boss_77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Missouri USA Posts: 345	Lighting a 72" tank with LEDs Well, there comes a time in every young reefers life where he experiences a little bit of tank envy... That time has come for me. I'm currently looking into a 125 gallon tank but I'm perplexed by the lighting issue. I'm hooked on the Reef Breeders photon series, I've been running the photon 48 on my 55gal since day one. I guess my question is, what else is out there? The biggest they (RB) make is a 60" I belive. Would that be enough light for the 72" or are there better options? I'd like to avoid t5's or mh, as I have no experience with them. I also prefer something of equal or greater quality as the Reef Breeders, no Chinese knock offs. I'm not only looking for hard facts here, I can research the numbers. I also want personal experiences and preferences, anecdotal or otherwise. While the Reef Breeders LED post: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2491803 Has good info on Reef Breeders, I'm asking if there is something better for a tank this size. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it! __________________ Work smarter, NOT harder. Current Tank Info: 55 gallon with a 5 gallon fuge and 10 gallon sump Last edited by Big_Boss_77; 03/30/2015 at 12:47 AM.

03/30/2015, 04:52 AM	#3
redwhiteandblue Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 259	Pretty much every led fixture are modular to add decrease units per tank size. The big ones these days are hydra 52, and the radions. __________________ 180 mixed reef since 2011....work in progress 55 in wall Fowlr

04/28/2015, 07:15 PM	#9
Sn8kbyt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Manitowoc, WI Posts: 607	Check out Rapid LED, great fixtures at a great price, and the support can't be beat! __________________ 220 gallon DT and 90 gallon sump, all DC powered, APEX gold with DOS, feeder, and a few extra modules, Avast Marine swabbie on Skimz Monster 258, 6 Rapid LED Onyx fixtures, BRS dosers, 4 Jaebo RW-15. Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 2-20L QT, and a 20 gallon tall octogon tank waiting to be setup for a seahorse tank.

03/30/2015, 01:31 AM	#2
archangel91 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Stanwood, WA Posts: 104	If you are taking down the 55 when you set up the 125 you could get a photon 24 and link cable to run the 2 units as 1. I have a photon 32 over my tank now and plan on linking it with a 2nd 32 when I am able to make room for a 6ft tank

03/30/2015, 06:08 AM	#5
jem454 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ny Posts: 86	You still have your 48 you can add to? If not, I'm using the 60 on my 125 and have no issues.

03/30/2015, 08:07 PM	#7
jem454 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ny Posts: 86	It's a cable reefbreeders sells. You don't need it. You can program both lights without, it's just easier.

04/28/2015, 01:59 PM	#8
dickwhitehead Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TN Posts: 16	Did you go the 125 route? I'm wanting to setup my 125 again and I'm curious about light options.

04/28/2015, 07:36 PM	#10
DamonG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 873	I have a 6 foot 180, and am using the photon 48 also. I am going to purchase another 24,which will, according to my calculations, only leave 3 inches on each end. So the coverage should be very good. Here is a hyper for the link cable : https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photo-link/