Lighting for 2 ft cube

illumnae · 05/08/2015, 01:47 AM

I just commissioned a 2x2x2 foot tank to be built and am looking at lighting options now. The tank is currently planned to be an LPS tank, but I'd like the option to move to SPS in future if I happen to change plans.

I'm currently considering between the following fixtures:

1. 1x Hydra26 - Would this be sufficient for SPS in future?
2. 2x Hydra26 / 1x Hydra52 - Difference between these 2 is that if I opt for 2x Hydra26, I will be able to arrange them laterally side by side to achieve a 2x2 configuration of clusters. If I opt for 1x Hydra52, it will be a simple 1x4 configuration, which will result in more intensity left to right but less intensity back to front.
3. 1x Maxspect Razor 120W - Cheapest option, but least aesthetically pleasing and lack of "full spectrum" LEDs
4. 1x Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue with Controller - Concern is that Kessil's description of this light is to be used with shallow tanks, and mine has 2ft height. Also, of all the lights considered, this is the hardest to obtain in my country as only 1 shop carries it (it's not even an LFS, it's a hydroponics store) and once it's out of stock, it takes months to replenish

I am tempted to try T5s as many people seem to like the colour rendition and coral reaction better, but I am also put off by the need to change bulbs every 6-9 months and greater overall cost (if I were to go T5, I would get an ATI set, which costs almost as much as the LED sets + electricity costs + bulb replacement costs). Also the loss of shimmer. Does T5 really give so much benefit over LEDs?

Benefit of going with AIs is that as I slowly upgrade all my tanks to AI in future (currently all my tanks including freshwater ones are using Maxspect), I can on-board them to the MyAI control panel and, in future, be able to control all my lights using a Director and my PC, instead of having to go to each tank to adjust manually as I do now on my Razors - AI configuration also gives much more options than the current Razor simple setup.

All advice would be appreciated

alton · 05/08/2015, 05:09 AM

I am a MH person but, one of my stores is baby sitting a tank with LPS and they are using a Radion XR 15 and it looks really nice, I am not sure about SPS though.

CobaltBlue86 · 05/08/2015, 05:19 AM

Definitely the kessil. It will have plenty of power to penetrate 2 feet.

Wazzel · 05/08/2015, 06:39 AM

I run a single hydra52 on my 60 cube and it does just fine. There is an unequal distribution of light like you already reasoned. In reality it does 24x18 really well. If you plan your scape and placement with that in mind there will not be any issues. I run a 26 on my 20 long frag tank. It performs well also. You may be able to have better coverage and just as much power by running 2 26's side by side. They do about 18" wide also, not sure about the in the puck axis coverage. My frag tank is only 12" wide.

If you are going to do LED keep your scape flater. The point source nature of the diodes is a problem, not as bad as some make it out to be, but you really need to be aware it exist.

scooter31707 · 05/08/2015, 07:30 AM

Well for what's worth, I run a 6-bulb T5 fixture with ATI bulbs on a 4x2x2 tank with some Monti's and Birdnest and majority LPS. Great growth and color.

05/08/2015, 01:47 AM	#1
illumnae Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Singapore Posts: 322	Lighting for 2 ft cube I just commissioned a 2x2x2 foot tank to be built and am looking at lighting options now. The tank is currently planned to be an LPS tank, but I'd like the option to move to SPS in future if I happen to change plans. I'm currently considering between the following fixtures: 1. 1x Hydra26 - Would this be sufficient for SPS in future? 2. 2x Hydra26 / 1x Hydra52 - Difference between these 2 is that if I opt for 2x Hydra26, I will be able to arrange them laterally side by side to achieve a 2x2 configuration of clusters. If I opt for 1x Hydra52, it will be a simple 1x4 configuration, which will result in more intensity left to right but less intensity back to front. 3. 1x Maxspect Razor 120W - Cheapest option, but least aesthetically pleasing and lack of "full spectrum" LEDs 4. 1x Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue with Controller - Concern is that Kessil's description of this light is to be used with shallow tanks, and mine has 2ft height. Also, of all the lights considered, this is the hardest to obtain in my country as only 1 shop carries it (it's not even an LFS, it's a hydroponics store) and once it's out of stock, it takes months to replenish I am tempted to try T5s as many people seem to like the colour rendition and coral reaction better, but I am also put off by the need to change bulbs every 6-9 months and greater overall cost (if I were to go T5, I would get an ATI set, which costs almost as much as the LED sets + electricity costs + bulb replacement costs). Also the loss of shimmer. Does T5 really give so much benefit over LEDs? Benefit of going with AIs is that as I slowly upgrade all my tanks to AI in future (currently all my tanks including freshwater ones are using Maxspect), I can on-board them to the MyAI control panel and, in future, be able to control all my lights using a Director and my PC, instead of having to go to each tank to adjust manually as I do now on my Razors - AI configuration also gives much more options than the current Razor simple setup. All advice would be appreciated

05/08/2015, 06:39 AM	#4
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I run a single hydra52 on my 60 cube and it does just fine. There is an unequal distribution of light like you already reasoned. In reality it does 24x18 really well. If you plan your scape and placement with that in mind there will not be any issues. I run a 26 on my 20 long frag tank. It performs well also. You may be able to have better coverage and just as much power by running 2 26's side by side. They do about 18" wide also, not sure about the in the puck axis coverage. My frag tank is only 12" wide. If you are going to do LED keep your scape flater. The point source nature of the diodes is a problem, not as bad as some make it out to be, but you really need to be aware it exist. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

05/08/2015, 05:09 AM	#2
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I am a MH person but, one of my stores is baby sitting a tank with LPS and they are using a Radion XR 15 and it looks really nice, I am not sure about SPS though.

05/08/2015, 05:19 AM	#3
CobaltBlue86 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 11	Definitely the kessil. It will have plenty of power to penetrate 2 feet.

05/08/2015, 07:30 AM	#5
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Well for what's worth, I run a 6-bulb T5 fixture with ATI bulbs on a 4x2x2 tank with some Monti's and Birdnest and majority LPS. Great growth and color.