LED for Large SPS Tank

[cs12109]

Hi Jeremy,

Right now I have a 300 gallon SPS tank that measures 96" long x 30" deep x 24" wide. I now use 4 x 250 Watt MH Single Ended bulbs in Lumenarc 3 Reflectors/Fixtures.

The Lumenarcs are 20 inches wide so right now have 8 inches on each side of the tank without bulbs directly over it. I want to replace these with the Vertex 72 inch LED unit. Will this do the job or should I go for the more expensive option of 2 x 48" Vertex units? I would rather go with the cheaper option if it will work. I am not too concerned with having lots of light at the ends of the tanks. In fact I have some lower light SPS that would probably do better there and are getting too much light directly under the existing lighting.

Any thoughts/recommendations ?

 

[Jeremy B.]

I think the Vertex is one of the better LED's on the market, right up there with the Radion and the AI's in my opinion. The 72" fixture is going to leave about 8" on each end of the tank just a little dim, enough to where it's noticeable and it may bother you. If you had an 84" tank you'd be perfect in my opinion, with only a couple of inches on each side that would be noticeably more dim.

So having said that the 72" fixture would work as long as you're ok with the ends the way they will be. If not, I think I'd opt for 2 x 36" fixture and just center them up over each 48" section. This will save you some money over doing 2 x 48" fixtures as well. If you're really concerned about it though just go the route of the 2 x 48" fixtures, but this certainly is not a necessity.

The downside to running 2 x Vertex fixtures is that they will not sync up and act as one fixture. If that's a concern and you don't want to do the 72" fixture then you consider looking at the AI Vega's or the Radion / Radion Pro.

 

[Luxo]

Actually Illuminas do sync.
I would for sure get the fixture one foot shorter than the tank.
cheers,
Dave

 

[Jeremy B.]

I stand corrected, they will indeed sync up now, which would make the 2 x 36" fixtures even more appealing in my opinion.

 

[cs12109]

Jeremy, what about 2 x 48" Orphek Atlantik fixtures? I don't know much about these other than what I see on your site. Would these provide adequate lighting?

 

[cs12109]

Vertex or Illuminas?

I stand corrected, they will indeed sync up now, which would make the 2 x 36" fixtures even more appealing in my opinion.

 

[Jeremy B.]

That's the same fixture, Vertex Illumina.