Lighting Suggestions for Red Sea Reefer 450

[Neoz]

Just setup a Red Sea Reefer 450. If your not familiar with the tank its a rimless tank with the dimensions of 59"L x 20"W x 22"H. Going to be a mixed reef with SPS, softies and a few clams on the sand bed.

Looking for something clean to match the setup. No Canopy. Would like to keep the budget around or under 1K.

Leaning more towards a T5 setup from the reading I have been doing. But not really sure at this time.

Haven't had a tank setup in about 5 years and it looks like lighting has come a long way since then.

Any suggestions on what to get for my tank setup? Thanks for any suggestions..

 

[b22]

What's your budget? If it was my setup I would do some radion gen3. If you want t5 the ATI 8 bulb with led would be my choice.

 

[Robert Hoeck]

I'd look at 60" ATI powermodule. The led t-5 looks good, but well over the 1k budget.

 

[Broadfield]

I have been super happy with 5 of the AI Primes on my 450. I love the clean/slim look and the WiFi controllability right out of the box. You hear people talking about the weak PAR values, but according to my PAR measurements, they easily get the job done.

IMG_5307 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5309 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr


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[Mark426]

ATI Sunpower. Next up the chain would be the dimmable Sunpower. The ATI hybrid would be the ultimate but its way over 1K. All will work wonderfully over your tank with any coral you could want. With a 1K budget I would forget pure LED's. You would need several fixtures over a 60" tank. My pick the ATI dimmable, next a regular ATI T5.

 

[Neoz]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. My wife still likes the looks of one fixture. So we have decided to go with the ATI Sunpower dimmable model.

My next question is with my tank being 59" will the 48" light be enough for this tank? Plan on going with the 8 bulb so so front to back won't be an issue. Just wondering about side to side?

 

[RTMA]

I went with 3 hydra26 HDs mounted long ways with the 12" bars and hanging kit. Plenty of light. Love the wifi control.

 

[b22]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. My wife still likes the looks of one fixture. So we have decided to go with the ATI Sunpower dimmable model.

My next question is with my tank being 59" will the 48" light be enough for this tank? Plan on going with the 8 bulb so so front to back won't be an issue. Just wondering about side to side?

Just get the 60

 

[Robert Hoeck]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. My wife still likes the looks of one fixture. So we have decided to go with the ATI Sunpower dimmable model.

My next question is with my tank being 59" will the 48" light be enough for this tank? Plan on going with the 8 bulb so so front to back won't be an issue. Just wondering about side to side?

Not sure if the 60" is dimmable? Might have to stay with 48"? With 8 bulbs that should be plenty and just go lower light corals on the sides. If your stand is black, i'd look into the Giesemann fixture.

 

[Neoz]

The 60" isn't dimmable. Think I'll go with the 48" and just put the softies on the sides.

I did spend quite some time looking at the Giesmann Matrixx 2. Looks great but couldn't really find and good reviews or videos on that fixture.

 

[Broadfield]

The 60" isn't dimmable. Think I'll go with the 48" and just put the softies on the sides.

I did spend quite some time looking at the Giesmann Matrixx 2. Looks great but couldn't really find and good reviews or videos on that fixture.

Now that dimmable T-5's exist, I think I'm going to eventually try out the Giesemann Matrixx II Dimtec or the Aurora-Hybrid LED/T-5 myself. I've been really happy with the Primes, but I've never owned T-5's before and love the look of the Matrixx II fixture. A black Matrixx II would look killer over my 450! I've researched a lot about them and will probably get a 48" fixture.

Did you see this thread?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2515803

 

[Neoz]

Thanks for the link Broadfield. That light fixture is just a little out of my price range. I agreed with the wife on a 1K budget for the light ;-) Side note you have PM coming.

 

[Relativity]

I would get a hydred t5 led. I have led's my corals look awesome from the top down but when they branch the sides are dull. Save up. do it right. dont waste money