Photon 48 for a 60" tank?

[1fishkeeper]

Do you think that I can use a Photon 48 on a tank that is 60" X 27" X 27"? I will have it hanging in my canopy from anywhere from 12"-18". The canopy is going to be 21" tall so I should have some room to take it up. Also what would you think would be best for the optics? I was thinking 90 degs for it so it still has some power to hit the bottom and have the spread for the wider tank but with it up higher.

 

[Fitz19d]

I'm no expert, but from what I've seen from others I think it would work. Maybe have to cluster the sps away from the sides. (In some of my tanks I've let the lighting be offset a bit on one side to purposely create a little more dimly lit area for low light coral.)

90degree for sure with that depth of water.

 

[Stomatopod1701]

It would work fine. I have one on a 6 foot tank (about two feet off the surface) and it works great.

 

[benjc]

I'd guess yes; I've got a 32" over a 4' tank and am happy with my lighting at the ends.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Thanks for everything. Now I feel better about getting it ordered

 

[ca1ore]

I'd question whether a P48 would be sufficient, unless you just plan to have softies. The P48 actually has about the same number of LEDs as the P32 (101 to 99, if memory serves). Front to back depth of 27 will be tough to manage with just the one fixture.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'd question whether a P48 would be sufficient, unless you just plan to have softies. The P48 actually has about the same number of LEDs as the P32 (101 to 99, if memory serves). Front to back depth of 27 will be tough to manage with just the one fixture.

What part is it that you think would be 'tough to manage'? PAR, coverage, penetration?

If a Photon 48 is enough for a 4" tank, is a 5' tank really that much different? So there is 6" of length at each end that isn't directly under the fixture, is that a big deal? I don't understand your concern.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Yeah I'm not to worried about the side to side what I'm more worried about is the front to back coverage. Ca1ore I think your the first person that said they will only grow softies. I have a 32 right now and I have SPS growing like crazy.

 

[likmonster]

It should work, the only thing I am a little worried about is the depth. I currently have one running on my tank that is 60x28x20 and I think it is good enough.

 

[Stomatopod1701]

If you hang it high enough you should have no problem covering the 27 inches, the ends should be fine if high enough too and since your canopy is 21" I think you have enough height to work with.

 

[likmonster]

Ooops I meant the height. Depth should be no problem. It covers my 28 wide tank.

 

[ca1ore]

What part is it that you think would be 'tough to manage'? PAR, coverage, penetration?

If a Photon 48 is enough for a 4" tank, is a 5' tank really that much different? So there is 6" of length at each end that isn't directly under the fixture, is that a big deal? I don't understand your concern.

Because a standard 4 foot tank is 18 inches from front to back, and this one is 27. So you are asking a 8" wide fixture to cover almost 10 inches both front and back that isn't directly under the fixture, and to 27 inches of water depth to boot. THAT would be my concern.

I just think the OP is going to find a single fixture to be underpowered. But, get one and if you do find it insufficient, you can always get a second and hang them in parallel.

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah I'm not to worried about the side to side what I'm more worried about is the front to back coverage. Ca1ore I think your the first person that said they will only grow softies. I have a 32 right now and I have SPS growing like crazy.

You are using a P32 on the same tank? I'm using the same light on a 90 and find it to be about right, so I'd not have considered it adequate for a 60x27x27 tank. Also, keep in mind the 48 only has 4 more LEDs than the 32, in a fixture 50% bigger, so the density of light is less on the former.

 

[benjc]

I think you'll be fine; my 32" is over a 4x2x2 120 tank and coverage is great. To the eye, the tank seems evenly lit.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Even if I went with the 60 deg optics and not the 90degs it should have the punch power to reach the bottom. Then having it up high enough I should get the coverage with it to.