LED question for my 120

[cwschoon]

I have been in the hobby for a very long time but never had LED lighting. Am purchasing a 120 gallon-48 x 24-x-24-and am looking at Aqualllumination Hydra 26 x 2. Any thoughts or advice?
My reef will be lots of rock, fish, softies, mushrooms, bubbles, anemones, etc. Wondering if the light will be adequate, especially on the bottom of the tank. Radions are just too expensive!

Thanks for any comment.

[Wazzel]

2 will not be enough for good coverage. If the tank does not have a center brace 3 would work, if it does you will need 4. Start out with 2 with provisions to add the others. Power wise you should be fine with the corals you have listed.

[cwschoon]

Thank you for your advice Wazzel. I'm going to have to put some more thought into this. Perhaps LED is not the answer. I'm happy with T5's now!

[GimpyFin]

I run two of the 26 HDs on my 110 (48×18×30) and they work just fine. I have a small mix of sps, lps, and a couple softies. Used to have a single 52 over a 93 cube as well. You could probably do two of the 26 HDs on a 120 as long as they are mounted to provide even coverage, depending on your rock/coral layout. If you are unsure, two 52 HDs would work as well and be a little cheaper than four 26s. Some people like to over do it a little on the number of of led fixtures over the tank. Nothing wrong with that at all, but is sometimes not necessary.

[cwschoon]

Thanks for the response GimpyFin. I'm ultimately going to do the right thing but looking for the most cost effective method. I am drawn to LED but can't stomach $2K for lights! The Hydra 52 is $650.00 ea in Canada, before taxes!

[vhuang168]

If all you are ever going to have are softies n some LPS, 2 26s would be enough. If you want to do SPS, you may get some shadowing and would need more units to reduce. There is enough coverage, the reason some recommend more lights is not because of lack of power or coverage but because of the above mentioned shadowing issue.

[cwschoon]

Thanks for your reply vhuang. My main concern will be having sufficient light for then to thrive but shadowing is a concern. Hydra 52 x 2 was suggested; do you think shadowing would still be an issue?

[vhuang168]

You won't have an issue with shadowing unless you have lots of overhangs or vertical walls.

When we talk about shadowing issues is mostly SPS we are referring to. Acropora are a problem because of how the grow, the underside of the arms don't get enough light and will sometimes bleach or stn. Or some of the arms will shadow others.

2 52s will help with the shadowing but 4 26s would be better

[cwschoon]

Thanks again. my only concern with "shadowing' is that the entire tank is covered by light and does not look like crap. The 120 gallon is going to be simple, with lots of softies, fish and rock to entertain kids. No SPS at all.

[EndlessAnimalOA]

I went through the same deal. I started with t5's which is nece to go with and then i started integrating some led bars. Then i updated the whold setup and made a custom stand and went all LED's. I am very happy with it and i dont realy see any shadows. sure its dark under the rocks but it does add contrast. You will just have to figure out what you want.
http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b441/Tyler_Panka/Facebook/REEFING/12794868_1291915774157358_3266255216140157208_o_zpsdvcoiu6i.jpg
this is a 120 with (3) 165W Led fixtures and (1) 36 inch led light bar. i cant remember what brand it is. its a name brand but cant remember.:facepalm:

[cwschoon]

Looks good.

[frey]

I have a 180. Started with some softies and LPS and put a few less demanding SPS in the tank. Ran 3 Kessil A360WE's. For your 4' tank 2 would be sufficient but 3 would give amazing coverage. They grew everything even the SPS and are far cheaper than AI and Ecotech. Just a thought.

[WaReefer458]

Not sure what your budget looks like but if you want the hydras I would do 2 52's. I got a buddy with 2 xr30's and he does great with those in his 120. Honestly if you want to use Kessil 360's you will want 4 to do sps. I have 2 on my 40b and it still doesn't get the coverage I want. If I had it to do over I probably would have just saved 500$ and done a t5 ati fixture.

[killagoby]

Two 52s IMO

[cwschoon]

Thanks for all of the advice. Nothing difficult in my future 120-no SPS-just rock, softies, mushrooms, fish. Two 52's fit the budget, as does a 4 or 6 bulb T5. My concern w LED was : 1) would the light be sufficient to keep softies and perhaps clams alive at 24" and 2) That it would look bright enough and be aesthetically pleasing. The only other consideration, was that I do NOT want to hang lights from the ceiling.
I live in a condo and power bills are paid in my monthly fees.

[killagoby]

I've got one TwentyFour over a 70 gallon. I have a RBTA at about 22" deep. Running the lights at 100% makes him shrivel up. I can't go over 80% for it. I'd say you'll never run those lights close to 100% for what your trying to keep

[cwschoon]

Thanks for the reply. I don't disagree with you but don't you agree that I will need two units to give adequate coverage to a 120 gallon tank?

[killagoby]

Thanks for the reply. I don't disagree with you but don't you agree that I will need two units to give adequate coverage to a 120 gallon tank?

Yes. My tank is 3 feet long and one TwentyFour covers exactly 3 feet

[RG81]

Ive been using a reef breeders photon 48 for 2 years now, have great coverage over my 120 and it is a very affordable light with great customer service. I am currently running a mostly sps dominant tank. Just my 2 cents

[cwschoon]

The Marine Depot guy was pretty sure 2 of the Hydra 26's would work for a 120.