Radion XR30w design question

[HarlequinTusk]

I'm pretty early in on my "mixed reef" tank design....but I wanted to throw out a question just to make sure I'm not getting off on the wrong foot. I would like to zone out the tank, but that needs lots more research.

I really like the Radion XR30w lights and was thinking about using three of them on a 125g tank (72.5" L x 18.5" W x 23.4" H). There are two top braces on the tank...so I'd space the three lights over the three openings. So I guess my first question would be does this seem reasonable?

And then I start thinking I'd like a 150g tank (72.5" L x 18.5" W x 29.5" H) even better. Now I know that the deeper the tank, the harder it is to penetrate to the bottom. However, I'd like to have a mixed reef where I might want corals that tend to get bleached by too bright lights. Wouldn't a deeper tank allow more flexibility in the coral zoning?

Someone point me in the right direction please!

 

[sirreal63]

Looks like you have a good handle on it.

 

[tigerjace]

sounds like you're on the right track

 

[D-Nak]

I have a 120 gallon tank that has a 2" thick plastic center brace. I have two Radion G1s about 8" above the tank. Unfortunately, the center brace blocks a portion of the light, so there is a shaded area in the center of my tank. My solution was to add a pair of T5s. It looks A LOT better.

My recommendation would be to get the Radion G2s (not the pros) and supplement with a couple of T5s. This will not only eliminate the shadow caused by the braces, but also will provide some UV (that the G2s lack). The price difference between the G2s and Pros is enough where buying a T5 retrofit kit, and even a few extra bulbs, starts to make a lot of sense.