Lighting Options

[Brandon0034]

I just set up a 36g bow front with live rock and everything is cycled. I'm looking at three different options for lights that are all LED and need some opinions.
Options:
165w Mars Dimmable LED
300w Mars Dimmable LED
2- Reef Magic LED Bars from LFS (couldn't find these online but they're single file LEDs like an off-road light bar, also programmable with controller unlike MARS)

My main goal is to just get full coverage and a nice shimmer effect. I plan to have softies/LPS, nothing too serious just a few corals as this is my "test run" tank before I set up two larger tanks(135g,200+).
Thanks in advance.

 

[heathlindner25]

165w mars is my vote

 

[morpheas]

On my 30 I have the 165 but if your budget permits I'd go with the 300... I don't think one 165 will be enough (unless you want to buy two) I'm really happy with mine though so far

 

[Brandon0034]

On my 30 I have the 165 but if your budget permits I'd go with the 300... I don't think one 165 will be enough (unless you want to buy two) I'm really happy with mine though so far

My only concern with the 300 is that its 31" and my 36g bow front is 30" long. Would this look bad or be pointless having a light longer than the tank?

 

[morpheas]

Well that might also be a good thing because it will allow you to have full coverage without being too far from the water surface... Also the two 165 sideways might be better... I just think that the 300 will give you more options the size notwithstanding...

 

[Rubasu]

Personally, I have the 300 on my 40B - Different dimensions, I know. What I would do if I were you is get a single 165, which should be fine. However, if you get shadowing on the outside, order one more. The price difference isn't much if you do it that way vs a 300. Not to mention, if the single 165 works...you won't have to spend any more.