Lighting for 2ft mixed aquarium

[VReeftank]

Hi, I would like to set up a 24inch(L),18inch(W),18inch(H) aquarium in the near future.
Im thinking of a couple of lighting options at the moment these are: 1 kessil A360we with 2 t5 24w bulbs,or 2 kessil A160we, or an Ecotech radion xr30w G3 (not pro).
I would really like some advice about which would suit my needs best. I basically would like to keep mostly sps corals (including harder to keep acros) some lps corals and some clams. any help would be muchly appreciated :twitch:

 

[joshky]

I would do a 6x24w ati sunpower, or 4x24w with 2 reefbrite blue led strips if it were me.

Otherwise I would do one of the first two options, and scrap the radion altogether. I feel like the first two options would do a better job than one radion for overall coverage.

 

[jdraider75]

If it were me. I would go 6 bulb ATI Sunpower or 4 bulb with reef bites like joshsky said.

 

[colorful1180]

If I were you,I would go 24'' programmable led light with full spectrum,like Photon 24″ from reefbreeders,it can do sunrise sunset.

 

[azjohnny]

Whats your budget?

 

[codeblue48]

Go with a 6 bulb ATI fixture if you want SPS. I've tried LED's twice now (AI SOL Super Blue's and then again with a Radion XR15w). On each occasion I gave each fixture 1 year, and I was never happy with them. Softies and LPS don't care if you have LED's, T5 or halides. LED's do grow corals...but you will never get good coloration of your SPS with them (unless you are supplementing with T5 . Go with T5 only or a mix of LED and T5 as has been suggested. I always end up going back to T5 and my SPS always do so much better both in growth and coloration. YMMV (but probably not) :beer:

 

[VReeftank]

Thanks for the reply's I will probably end up going with the t5 kessil mix as I don't want to be replacing 6 bulbs every 6 months-8 months as it will end up costing a fortune:lolspin:

 

[golferbud101691]

Thanks for the reply's I will probably end up going with the t5 kessil mix as I don't want to be replacing 6 bulbs every 6 months-8 months as it will end up costing a fortune:lolspin:

Im thinking about adding some t5 to my kessils too. Post some pics once you get it all hooked up.

 

[trungnguyen]

You can go with AL Hydra 26. My setup is the same dimension you have, and everything looks good.

 

[jdraider75]

I change bulbs 1 time every year. If your doing it 6 to 8 months your throwing money away if your running an ATI. But kessils look nice to.

 

[moondoggy4]

If bulbs cost are a concern how bout MH change the bulbs every12 to 18 months get some Reefbrites and call it a day.