regrets with 60" ATI over 72" tank anyone??

[MattinIdaho]

Time to order new lights. I have a 72x24x24" 180 mixed that I am putting a new light setup on. I've never seen one in action but my research leads me to want the ATI Sunpower 60" 8x80w. Anyone running a 60" on a 72" tank and regret it? Do you notice much lower light on the ends?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Do it. Im running a 48" on a 60" tank no problem. Not to mention the 34 watt bulbs are less watt per inch of bulb, and the cost of 16x34 watt bulbs as opposed to 8 x 80watt bulbs.

 

[Allmost]

the 60" is just fine, you will not regret it, and actually be happy that you have room on the sides for cleaning pumps or ....

you can get away with 6 bulbs too if mixed reef, and if needed add some LEDs down the road.

 

[solitude127]

I have a 48" fixture over my 60" tank and really like it. It has less light spillage as well.

 

[ZQ16DP4HxX]

I have a 60" 8x80w tek centered over a 96" tank with a canopy and it looks good, used to have it over a 72" tank and it looked great. These are terrible quick pictures I just took of it over my 96" tank but you can see the light spread.

Tang feeding time that is why there is PVC with algae hanging in the pics, they clean them up in less then an hour!

 

[Drae]

that's some nice spread! 18" on each side and I bet the par is perfect for lps and softies. ati would be even better!

 

[Brando457]

I ran a 60" Tek fixture 6 x 80 watts over my 180 and it was more than enough light for what I needed. If you want to keep sps you can just center it under the main fixture.

I was able to keep zoas and such even to the far 12" of each side without issue.

 

[dh350twin]

I have a six foot 240 gallon peninsula tank and i run the 60inch 8 bullb sunpower over my sps dominate tank and i actually removed two bulbs as it was to much light i have since replaced those empty spots with ati true actinic and love it................no regrets a 72 inch would be an overkill for sure if they made one.

 

[jayinh]

here is a 8x80 ATI pm on a 125. lights are about 8-10 inches above water. works perfect IMO

 

[Skipponator]

I run a 36" over a 48" tank and am happy!

 

[jschultzbass]

I run a 6x80 ATI over my 180 with great results. You'll find most manufacturers recommend a fixture shorter than your tank. Think about adding a reefbrite strip for extra pop and some shimmer as well if you have $300 to blow.

 

[johnwick]

I run a 36" over a 48" tank and am happy!

Skip, are you running 8 39W lights?

 

[Michigan Mike]

Not exactly the same but still a shorter fixture over my tank.
4x24w over 30"x12" (29g)

 

[doakota1]

I am also running a 36" 8x39 power module over a 48" tank

 

[GrampaDon]

48in over 60in tank last time. 36in over 48in tank now. And no regrets.
I have a new 48in for my soon to be done 60in tank.

The little bit of shadowing at the end works good for less light demanding stuff.

 

[jstngates]

I know it's an old thread and I'm condensing a 125, a 120 and 2 bios 14 into a 180. The lights I have are 3 black box leds that you have to adjust manually, 3 coralvue mh 400 watts, and an ati 8 bulb 48 inch fixture. Would the 48 inch 8 bulb work on a 180? I really love my ati but don't want to drop 900 on a fixture and bulbs.