Best light for 10g?

Pittsford_Pets · Jan 6, 2018

What would you say is the best light for a 10g? I’m looking for softie, LPS, and easier to keep SPS. I’m think an AI Prime but don’t want to spend so much money. I’d say 200 is my max

Zack K · Jan 6, 2018

AI prime, Kessil A80. I prefer the kessils but the AI prime seems to be more commonly used.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 6, 2018

A kessil 160 is a popular choice.

A B.B. would be good coverage , but too intense at even 1%.

Pittsford_Pets · Jan 6, 2018

Zack Klabunde said:
AI prime, Kessil A80. I prefer the kessils but the AI prime seems to be more commonly used.

From what I’ve read the AI Prime can grow just about anything in such a small tank and the A80 may or may not be able to grow most SPS. Thoughts?

I also like the AI Prime’s WIFI controllability

A. grandis · Jan 7, 2018

Pittsford_Pets said:
What would you say is the best light for a 10g? I’m looking for softie, LPS, and easier to keep SPS. I’m think an AI Prime but don’t want to spend so much money. I’d say 200 is my max

FROM:
https://reefbuilders.com/2010/07/26/mini-aqualight-t5-coralife-coming-dual-6-watters/#

$44.90 @ Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/36013-Mini-Aqualight-Light-Fixture/dp/B003WYY6SI

Uniform light and amazing growth/color!
Grandis.

Pittsford_Pets · Jan 7, 2018

A. grandis said:
FROM:
https://reefbuilders.com/2010/07/26/mini-aqualight-t5-coralife-coming-dual-6-watters/#

$44.90 @ Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/36013-Mini-Aqualight-Light-Fixture/dp/B003WYY6SI

Uniform light and amazing growth/color!
Grandis.

I refuse to believe a Coralife can take on an AI Prime haha. I have a 24” on my 10g (used to be on my 20) and I have no growth, no color, and no actinics. Least favorite light - in my opinion a regular light bulb could grow more hahaha

A. grandis · Jan 7, 2018

Pittsford_Pets said:
I refuse to believe a Coralife can take on an AI Prime haha. I have a 24” on my 10g (used to be on my 20) and I have no growth, no color, and no actinics. Least favorite light - in my opinion a regular light bulb could grow more hahaha

Certainly the Coralife bulbs are great and have been in the market forever.
I've seen absolutely stunning tanks with those lights.
To tell the truth, I remember when we were young and still had T12 Coralife bulbs ;Wideyed over tanks with corals reproducing sexually!
So, that tells us that those bulbs are great!
I happen to have the fixture that I've posted and it is a nice little guy to play with. Better than LEDs IMHO for a tank with softs and easy to keep SPS, as was specified. Perfect spread and spectrum, simplified!
But hey... this is just my own opinion.
Grandis.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 7, 2018

He’s right , a set of coralife will will work great. Set and forget. Boom.
Down fall IMO on a small easy tank is heat.

The a80 is lower powered. We can post the par specs I’d tou like.

IMO , a single 80 or a single prime will no have enough spread really. To call it perfect.
2 80 would be optimal. 1 would be fine.
A prime you’ll have to figure out “best “ spectrum. And set intensity. (Why most folks Led fail IMO)

And remember , the Coral that takes the least amount of Light anywhere on the planet , is an SPS.
They come in all lighting needs. Hi Lo med. one 80 will grow some sps. One prime could set fire to other sps.
It’s just another balance to strike in the tank.
Decide the Par you’d like at he top and bottom ,and the corals you’d like to try and choose accordingly. IMO.

GoVols · Jan 7, 2018

saltyfilmfolks said:
A kessil 160 is a popular choice.

A B.B. would be good coverage , but too intense at even 1%.

Salty,
I'm pushing that (Maglight) a80/T5 hybird but... I'd go with the 160 and just be done with it too.

And somebody stole (and has been using) my Kessil Cool Aide man :mad: that Boom Corals made me

Pittsford_Pets · Jan 7, 2018

A. grandis said:
Certainly the Coralife bulbs are great and have been in the market forever.
I've seen absolutely stunning tanks with those lights.
To tell the truth, I remember when we were young and still had T12 Coralife bulbs ;Wideyed over tanks with corals reproducing sexually!
So, that tells us that those bulbs are great!
I happen to have the fixture that I've posted and it is a nice little guy to play with. Better than LEDs IMHO for a tank with softs and easy to keep SPS, as was specified. Perfect spread and spectrum, simplified!
But hey... this is just my own opinion.
Grandis.

We must have different bulbs haha. My coral is kinda ugly with my dual T5s. Weird haha

geniusgio · Jan 7, 2018

I would say , keep looking for an AI Prime HD. I myself didn’t want to pay 200 or more either but I was patient. Kept looking through the “Offer Up” app and craigslist.

I would search keywords such as “fish tank”, “aquarium” etc.

Ended up looking at pics of people selling their tanks. I found one guy that was selling his tank and he had 2 AI prime HD’s on it. I asked if he was willing to part with one and he said yes. I ended up with a like new light for $150. I also bought some corals from him at a great price.