20g Long Lighting | 100$-200$

[Eyezik]

Hello guys! I just posted about a week ago about setting up a 20g long. Original I was on a budget because I had lost my job, BUT I just landed an interview and as it is just a local coffee shop I am assuming I will be getting the job. Since I will be working again soon my budget has just opened up a lot more! So, what kind of lighting would you guys recommend for a 20g long thats a bit more bang for your buck? I know the titles say 100-200$ but I am open to any lights that aren't too expensive.

Thanks to anyone who posts!

 

[Hincapiej4]

Are you going to keep coral? If so what type? That will give us an idea for advice

 

[Eyezik]

Are you going to keep coral? If so what type? That will give us an idea for advice

Money is more important to me so I would rather buy a light and do coral/anemone around the light. Nothing crazy as this is my first tank so anemone is probably something I will be looking at in a few months but I am interested in doing coral right off the bat.

 

[Hincapiej4]

Nemmies and anything that take as much light as them won't be for a long while. Unless you wanna spend time killing them.

Lps and softies can grow under current usa lights. Gotta be real specific with placement though. 100-200 isn't much for lighting tbh. But can make it work with some lps and most softies.

 

[BaysEndReef]

I'm running my 20g Long under a single 165w viparspectra. Those cheap ones from amazon. It's currently set at 35% blues only and growing softies and LPS like crazy. Mine was just a project I threw together with extra stuff I had laying around my fish room. If you want the best bang for your buck, spend $208 on a AI Prime 16HD. Of course you'll have to get the mounting hardware separate.

 

[Han]

I have a fluval sea 24” light on a 20g, it’s been supporting a toadstool, zoas, and cyphastrea for a year now. I think I paid around $150.

 

[Eyezik]

I have a fluval sea 24” light on a 20g, it’s been supporting a toadstool, zoas, and cyphastrea for a year now. I think I paid around $150.

This looks like exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the info.

 

[Eyezik]

I'm running my 20g Long under a single 165w viparspectra. Those cheap ones from amazon. It's currently set at 35% blues only and growing softies and LPS like crazy. Mine was just a project I threw together with extra stuff I had laying around my fish room. If you want the best bang for your buck, spend $208 on a AI Prime 16HD. Of course you'll have to get the mounting hardware separate.

I will for sure look into those 2 more. I had already looked at getting the Wills 165w Black Box. I plan to get an industrial shelving unit from Home Depot 2 to hold my 55g and 20g so hopefully, I can just strap whatever I end up getting on the wired shelves to reduce the price of a gooseneck or arm.

 

[Hincapiej4]

This looks like exactly what I was looking for, thanks for the info.

Keep in mind those are all fine with low light. You aren't gonna be able to have anything that wants intense light with that, unless you place it inches from the surface....

 

[Chessmanmark]

Viperspectra.

I have a Reefbreeders V1 over mine and if you mount it high enough it is fine. I started with soft corals and then added a Monti cap and a Bubblegum digi.

If you are on a limited budget look at used equipment. I bought my Reefbreeders for half of what it cost new and have used it for many years.

 

[Dbichler]

Black box is your best bet with that budget to be honest. Nothing wrong with that either I have used many different lights and viparspectra is worth every penny. I currently run noopsyche and that would be in your budget as well.

 

[01xp]

I would get a used high end light. I have my reefbreeder photon v2 that retails for 699 i got here for 550 deals can be found. If you get a high end light you and your coral nemmie will be alot happier

 

[rwreef]

This is what I use on my 20l and grows anything you would want. I use ATI bulbs

 

[Eyezik]

Keep in mind those are all fine with low light. You aren't gonna be able to have anything that wants intense light with that, unless you place it inches from the surface....

It probably will be as I am going to be using an industrial shelving unit so I will be mounting the light RIGHT on top.

 

[Eyezik]

Black box is your best bet with that budget to be honest. Nothing wrong with that either I have used many different lights and viparspectra is worth every penny. I currently run noopsyche and that would be in your budget as well.

Someone I am talking to is selling an old marswell black box for 60 so I might look into that. Save a bit of cash and start saving for a nicer 400$ light.

 

[polyppal]

Congrats on the job, hope it works out. Your budget has black box light written all over it

 

[Eyezik]

Congrats on the job, hope it works out. Your budget has black box light written all over it

Yeah, that's for sure what I will end up getting. After reaching for like 50 hours I am thinking that's what I am going to land on.

 

[Dbichler]

Someone I am talking to is selling an old marswell black box for 60 so I might look into that. Save a bit of cash and start saving for a nicer 400$ light.

Mars Aqua new are only like 100 wouldn’t buy used

 

[Eyezik]

Congrats on the job, hope it works out. Your budget has black box light written all over it

Also thanks for the congrats! I am excited to get working again.

 

[Eyezik]

Mars Aqua new are only like 100 wouldn’t buy used

Yeah, I might look into something a bit more programmable and control ability.