Lighting for a 400 gallon
- Thread starter kinkyads
- Start date
McPuff
New member
Do you want full control of individual channels, ability to ramp up/down? There are not many options for a larger tank unless you go with a bunch of units. I've got 9 on my 300 (72x36x27h). You might be able to get away with the same, especially if you're just doing LPS.
If you want to go with fewer units, you'll end up spending some serious money on Orpheks.
Only other option is to go with 3 x 400W halides and led supplemental lighting. That's the bad thing about having a large reef tank.
If you want to go with fewer units, you'll end up spending some serious money on Orpheks.
Only other option is to go with 3 x 400W halides and led supplemental lighting. That's the bad thing about having a large reef tank.
I have a 340 Gallon system - 69" X 36" X 31"
Lighting was a killer for it.
I went with an Aquatic LIfe T5HO fixture - 4 bulb 38 Watts each. Went with Coral Special bulbs from Aquatic life.
I then did 3 Hydra 52 HD LED lights and mounted them perpendicular to the tank instead of lengthwise with the tank. (Ordered the modified braces to mount the lights that way) all mounted to the Aquatic Life fixture.
The lighting is great. Lights up the tank well and ramps up and down, easy to setup through their app and control from my phone or really from anywhere.
I was out of town, and my wife wanted to watch a movie, she asked me to turn the lights off while I was in another state. I hadn't tested it remotely. Logged into the mobile app and bam, was able to shut them off no issues. I love them.
Lighting was a killer for it.
I went with an Aquatic LIfe T5HO fixture - 4 bulb 38 Watts each. Went with Coral Special bulbs from Aquatic life.
I then did 3 Hydra 52 HD LED lights and mounted them perpendicular to the tank instead of lengthwise with the tank. (Ordered the modified braces to mount the lights that way) all mounted to the Aquatic Life fixture.
The lighting is great. Lights up the tank well and ramps up and down, easy to setup through their app and control from my phone or really from anywhere.
I was out of town, and my wife wanted to watch a movie, she asked me to turn the lights off while I was in another state. I hadn't tested it remotely. Logged into the mobile app and bam, was able to shut them off no issues. I love them.
McPuff
New member
Can those be dimmed to simulate sunrise/sunset? It seems someone with a 3' tank (front to back) would need 2 units per 2 feet of length. For me, it would still be 6 units... I don't believe that the unit covers 36 x 24" as they claim. I have also heard others say these are great lights... just want more information.
steallife904
New member
a few reefbreeder 50 photon v2s might do the trick. 2-4 might work? I run 1 over my 150 no issue. Plus you can link them.
They can be dimmed and adjusted yo simulate sunrise/sundown. 24x24 is what I would give them.
If you would consider halides, I think 4 250watt fixtures in a square grid would work quite well. I'd place the reflectors perpendicular to the long side of the tank so each fixture is responsible for 36" of the length and 20" of the width. Should have no problem keeping LPS happy, even at the bottom of the tank.
For another non-LED alternative, a couple of ATI Sunpower 60" units would also light up your tank quite nicely, one for each side. You could also go a DIY route and make your own canopy with T5 retro kits and make a canopy with 12-14 60" T5s, which would also be more than enough for happy LPS corals. Would probably be one of the more economical options for lighting your tank.
For another non-LED alternative, a couple of ATI Sunpower 60" units would also light up your tank quite nicely, one for each side. You could also go a DIY route and make your own canopy with T5 retro kits and make a canopy with 12-14 60" T5s, which would also be more than enough for happy LPS corals. Would probably be one of the more economical options for lighting your tank.
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