[loveflying1991]

Setting up a new 50 gallon tank with 24x24x20” tall dimensions. I am interested in running co2 on the tank, and it would be nice if the light had some programmable features like ramping and dimming.

Open to suggestions.

 

[loveflying1991]

Looking into AI Prime 16 HD or the radion xr15 g4.

Would the AI prime be enough coverage and PAR for the tank?

 

[jeffkrol]

Not......quite though the point is arguable.
It's sweet spot is more in the line of 16x16-ish.

With CO2 you gain an advantage if output is a bit lower than you would like.
Radion
would be better but 2 to 3 x better???

 

[loveflying1991]

Not......quite though the point is arguable.
It's sweet spot is more in the line of 16x16-ish.

With CO2 you gain an advantage if output is a bit lower than you would like.
Radion
would be better but 2 to 3 x better???

I did wonder if the radion would be worth 2x the price. It sounds like that isn't the case.

Do you have any other lighting suggestions outside of the two I thought of for this sized tank?

 

[jeffkrol]

I did wonder if the radion would be worth 2x the price. It sounds like that isn't the case.

Do you have any other lighting suggestions outside of the two I thought of for this sized tank?

I sort of need to step back a bit here regarding the AI's.

Light falloff past 16' is fairly extreme BUT it still punches a lot of PAR.
Just checked some of the sw readings (funny thing about PAR , since by definition it measures all light in the range of 400-700nm doesn't matter if it's saltwater centric, freshwater or hort.) they are fairly impressive overall:

Skip to past half way first..

Power Output
With a spread of 24" x 24", the AI Prime® Freshwater has a PAR of 86µMol at a depth of 24 inches, more than enough for the most demanding aquariums. Drawing a maximum of 55 watts from the wall, it follows in the family’s efficient footsteps.

Problem w/ these measurements is the height isn't defined.. i.e 24" deep tank or Mounting height plus x = 24"



Catch is to raise it a bit higher than standard say 12" or so. Problem is you lose PAR and gain room spill..


Remember your light now needs to go down about 32" - substrate depth.


Bottom line is I sort of don't recommend it because it isn't overkill..



now for an alternate w/ a simple on/off timer, arguably more balanced coverage and some dimming but manual:
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-freshwater-plant-lights/72-18-sbox-pro-timer-fresh-water-plant.html
Most SBreefs (afaict) run mixed optics, some 90 degree diode some 120 but not sure w/ this exact model.

Theoretically improves blending and gives some depth penetration.
These are basec on the generic "black box" framework w/ supposedly improvements.
As to power.. no they are NOT 165Watts.. closer to 110W on full.

Yea its' not square but it's 1/2 square.. 18x8.


Just edges out the AI on coverage for the most part.
Weird composite but it sort of gets my point across..
Assume the light shift is about 10" off the tank top
Yellow square is approx of a 24x24 tank.
Or close..
Remeber though that what your eye sees isn't what a camera sees.
The light falloff will visually look a lot less than that photo..
Remember cameras don't lie..

 

[loveflying1991]

The photo was pretty helpful for showing the falloff.

If I am going for an island style layout on the tank, I think a lot of the fall out will be mitigated because it will be mostly foreground that is shaded. Thinking of using crypt parva.


Do you have an opinion on the twinstar 600s range and its coverage?

 

[jeffkrol]

The photo was pretty helpful for showing the falloff.

If I am going for an island style layout on the tank, I think a lot of the fall out will be mitigated because it will be mostly foreground that is shaded. Thinking of using crypt parva.


Do you have an opinion on the twinstar 600s range and its coverage?

My wife says I have an opinion on everything..
My only real take on the Twinstar is w/ that price they could at least include a dimmer..
45 fairly efficient watts but the farther away from square the less ideal it is..


Island style isn't something I've ever really "worked" at.
I'm pretty sure I'd prefer 2 cheaper light vs 1 expensive of that style..



Oh you need to be aware of my bias.. I don't like fish going in and out of light thus I will conscientiously or not favor a more blanket lighting approach.

Leads me to square lights for square tanks, rect. lights for rect tanks.
Doesn't imply any are wrong.. just not right..
I'd probably sacrifice some power and go w/ the chihiros2.





The sbreef is about as far as I would stray from that.
As a constrast.. t5 60gal cube..

A "look"' like that in LED takes some work..Like 2 strip lights or strong "puck" hung high..

What provides the light is less important than the geometry of delivery.

There isone other sort of off brand light that works well.
Thier spectrum layout is err odd but works..
You will need to search the worlds.....
Keep in mind China direct but price and function is good.
DSunY LED Aquarium Lighting Plant Lamp For Aquarium Tropical Plants Freshwater

Channel 1(11pcs): 10 Day white 6500k, 1 Cool white 14000K
Channel 2(3pcs): 1 410nm Purple , 2 450nm UV
Channel 3(15pcs): 3 Blue 470nm 3 Red 660nm ， 1 Royal blue 450nm ，2 Green 520nm， 6 Cool 14000k
Channel 4(11pcs): 10 Natural white 4500k ，1 Cool 14000k
LED Quantity: 40PCS Bridgelux Bxce Bxcd LED
Power Consumption : 100W (save more than 15%)
Secondary Optical Lens: 120 lens
Lumen: 5000 lm
PAR Value: 720 [email protected] for len can output more PAR
Recommend Size of Tank(L/W/H): (16"-24") x (16-24") x 24"
Light panel Dimension: 12" x 4.7" x 2"= 29cm x 12cm x 5.5cm

ch 1 and 4 w/ that oddball 14000k diode is err annoying.

I've helped people customize a panel to be more normal.. Screws w/ the presets though..but fully programmable.

Circled is where their "moonlight" was but now runs "sunrise" 2 warm whites and a 660nm red.
ch2
A test lighting before shipping..
Anyways "customers"tank..

 

[Asteroid]

You could consider this one too. Comes in both hanging and standard on tank style. It allows you to program 5 light intensities and temps via bluetooth app. I don't know the fall off 24" front/back (maybe @jeffkrol knows) but I have it on a 60p and I can only run it at 50% or I get blinded.

https://www.onf.com.tw/flatoneplus?lang=en

 

[jsvand5]

I’m picking up a tank with identical dimensions this weekend. I’m going with the SBreef FW. I’ve used them on my reef tanks for years and have always been happy with them. Pretty hard to find a light that will match the output for anywhere near the price. It should be perfect for the 24” length but 24” width of the tank is stretching the coverage area a bit IME. I’m planning to have mostly rock towards the back anyway though.