Best light for corals in evo 13.5g

[sidneyhill11]

I recently bought and setup my very first SW tank fluval sea 13.5g I know its small but that's how I'd like to do it since it's all new to me. So my question is what would be the best light to buy to grow colorful corals in my near feature? My corals will be limited due to lack of knowledge but I am researching the supplied light will grow them but the color wont reach the corals full potential. I think I'm on the right track here lol any advice would be great

 

[geddavis]

AI prime

 

[sidneyhill11]

Only one lighting option that everyone uses? Thanks for your reply

 

[Sod Buster]

It depends on how much you want to spend. The AI prime, kessil, and other high end are fine. A couple cheaper options are the new noopsyche k7 pro or the coral box moon led. The moon you control from a phone app. You can run the basic lps or sps schedule or customize it. Even hit a button for a thunderstorm. Along with your light shopping, look into a upgraded return pump, the stock one is very weak. Also for coral you'll need a powerhead or two in the tank for some random flow. Welcome to the group here and ask all the questions you need. To upgrade the light means making or purchasing a screen lid to keep spooked fish from finding the floor. I use one of these tanks for a quarantine myself.
The dimensions are 18X12X12 if anybody else has any ideas.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Also vote ai prime, will grow anything in those dimensions.

blackbox led if want slightly cheaper but mounting them is a bit trickier, less options. Also less control, and they do have a noticeable disco ball effect. They will grow softies->sps if used correctly though

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

This will work well for that tank and more affordable than AIs
https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Spectrum-Dimmable-Saltwater-Bracket/dp/B07GKHKXHZ

 

[sidneyhill11]

Awesome thanks guys I was really looking into the current USA marine pro with adjustable bracket. I have a wave maker I'll be upgrading the return pump and also putting the intank media baskets in both 1 an 2 chambers. I still have a lot of reading an research into how to grow an care for corals so its going to be a few months down the road but I want to get everything I need to start.

 

[Dana Riddle]

What kinds of corals to you plan to keep? Light intensity requirements vary, and making (or keeping) them colorful often depends upon spectral quality.

 

[sidneyhill11]

What kinds of corals to you plan to keep? Light intensity requirements vary, and making (or keeping) them colorful often depends upon spectral quality.

Well prolly just some begginer corals softies frags as I'm new to saltwater with this 13.5g evo

 

[Dana Riddle]

A Noopsyche would work well and would certainly meet any future lighting needs. Or any number of the Chinese black boxes. If you're really on a budget a simple aluminum reflector and a PAR 38 'Grow Lamp' would do for many corals.

 

[elic173]

I’ve been running that tank on the stock lights and have thriving Xenia, GSP, Zoas, torch, frog spawn, mushrooms and montepora

Keeping the stock light allows you to not get a ATO, as the lid seals very well and prevents evaporation.

 

[sidneyhill11]

I’ve been running that tank on the stock lights and have thriving Xenia, GSP, Zoas, torch, frog spawn, mushrooms and montepora

Keeping the stock light allows you to not get a ATO, as the lid seals very well and prevents evaporation.

Ok well maybe I'll keep the light for now thank you.

 

[elic173]

Ok well maybe I'll keep the light for now thank you.

I’d definitely recommend a skimmer and a powerhead. The biggest tip of all QT everything! [emoji12]

 

[sidneyhill11]

I’d definitely recommend a skimmer and a powerhead. The biggest tip of all QT everything! [emoji12]

Yes I have a hydor wave maker no skimmer tho thinking of adding the intank media baskets in both chambers

 

[sidneyhill11]

So I have 20g tall fresh i can turn into salt but would a hob work for saltwater?

 

[Mike1995]

I'm not 100% sure on how effective they are on a big tank but a finnex marine+ (not the controllable one) might work well on a smaller tank like yours. I accidentally bought that instead of the planted+ version for one of my freshwater tanks and they're incredibly bright.

You can get one for like $50 on Amazon or anywhere online really

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Yes I have a hydor wave maker no skimmer tho thinking of adding the intank media baskets in both chambers

If you’ll keep the top totally sealed, it will be important to add the skimmer that fits in the back chamber to help keep the product water well oxygenated. Otherwise, the PH can get quite low.

 

[Virgil Cummings]

I’ve been running that tank on the stock lights and have thriving Xenia, GSP, Zoas, torch, frog spawn, mushrooms and montepora

Keeping the stock light allows you to not get a ATO, as the lid seals very well and prevents evaporation.

Hey im wondering what your lighting schedule is for the stock light how long do you use blue and how long white in a day?

 

[Bpb]

An ai prime would be my first choice on a tank like that.