How many LED fixtures for a 36x20x21 tank?

[jcraft]

I've been out of the hobby for over the last five years and when I left, LED fixtures were just coming into their own. My only experience with them is having used a RapidLED Par 38 bulb over a 12g nano...

Fast forward to today: I recently bought a new house and acquired a 65g tank with the aforementioned footprint. I had originally planned on going with an ATI T5 power module (what I had on my last tank), but have begun to consider an LED system instead. My question is to whether one fixture would be enough or should I go with 2?

halides are out; used them exclusively for years and every tank I had with them required a cooler and the fish room was really humid. The T5 tank was the first one I had that didn't need a chiller.

I've been looking at the Ecotech Radion xr30w and Kessil a360w; any others I should consider?

Thanks!

 

[Taahirs]

My tank is a similar size to yours, just 4 inches wider. If I could I'd go with an ATI sunpower 6x39 watt. But bulb replacements work out to be too expensive for me on a students budget.

So instead I'm looking at doing two kessils. Maybe I'll add a T5 to either side. One thing about the kessils is that they can't be programmed and only have manual dimming knobs. If I could afford it I'd go with 2 radion XR30 G3 Pro fixtures.


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[Ron Reefman]

If you just want 1 fixture I'd look at the ReefBreeders Photon 32 V-2. I have 2 over a 6' long 180g sps/lps reef for 3 1/2 years now and I've had zero issues. They are well made certainly can do the job. If my older version fixtures weren't doing as good a job as they are, I'd be buying the new v-2 version. Having sunrise/sunset control and channels for each color led is all you could want.

If you want cheaper, look at the MarsAqua 32" fixture. Not quite the quality leds or other components, and way less control. But more than enough light for keeping any corals in your tank.

 

[Devaji108]

I have the 24" V2 over a 36x24x24 and its rocking!
36" tanks are a hard middle spot. alot of light coverage is 24x24..

RB v2, ocean revive T247, BML 36 strip if you can find one.
also look in the the aquamaxx nemo light? start out with one then add another when you need more light for clams, nems etc. just an idea there...

I asked ecotech about there lights over m tank they recommended 2 xr15.

good luck deciding the light can get stressful ha

 

[jcraft]

I appreciate the suggestions and will look into all of them.

I had planned on putting the light at least 12" above the water and looking at some literature, the XR30 can light a 36" tank at 13" above, so that may still be an option and then could add more if needed down the line. High light inverts and corals stay towards the middle of the tank and reserve the outside perimeter for low light corals.

We shall see.

 

[Hentz]

I was tossed between Kessil and Hydra's on my tank. Btw, our dimensions are very similar.

I ended up going two Hydra 26 HD's and my SPS absolutely loved it! This is coming from and ATI T5 fixture. I recently added one more because I found a great deal on a used one. I also added three T5 bulb retrofit kit. I absolutely love it!

But Two Hydra 26's or Kessil 360's would be plenty as it is.

 

[sde1500]

I'd vote Reefbreeder as well. I have a 65 gallon tank and I use one of their photons. Plenty of light.

 

[Wazzel]

I am partial to the AI Hydras, two 26's should work well on those dimensions.

 

[Hentz]

And just for reference; here is my tank when I was running only two Hydra 26 HD's using my DIY TV Mount for them. Ran me only $30ish