Best lighting for 12g reef

[TRex91]

Hey everyone and allow me to say i love this forum.. But i am trying to figure out a good light for my 12g reef... This sounds weird but it is my first tank but believe me when i say my research had payed off.. I am helping people at lfs with the problems they are having with the year old reef they have... I like a few but my money is super short with a 2 year old.. And new baby on the way.. So please any suggestions would be cool... Even if maybe someone might have similar tank and looking to sell a good light for cheap... Anything helps..

 

[Arubix]

You got any specs on the tank? Dimensions?

 

[TRex91]

It's a aio,, jbj style (but not jbj,, i think it was aqua euro or something but i caught a killer deal on it with top gone).. It is about 13 tall, 15 or 16 wide, and 12 front to back,, not including filter area

 

[TRex91]

I was even considering taking out the overflow area for more real estate but haven't made up my mind yet,, im pretty excited about this nano build.. Also while it grows i will slowly be putting together my dream build sort of very slowly.. Building the tank and everything.. Super happy and motivated,, can't wait anymore

 

[TRex91]

I am going for kind of a mixed reef, but want to focus on smaller sps,, mini zoa garden, some ricordia,, things like that so i want pretty intense light

 

[TRex91]

Intense for the sps of course

 

[TRex91]

And let me clear up what i said earlier,, my fist reef tank,, have had and still have freshwater,, my cichlids thrive and i breed aswell.. I have helped set up a tank or two,, (sadly not in touch with them anymore).. So even tho i am new please know i am knowledged in this area.. A lot,, now enough of me lololol

 

[glb]

I have a 12g nano and love it! As far as lights, Steve's LEDs was recommended to me as an upgrade. Good luck!

 

[Arubix]

If you want some good LED's then BoostLED might be good enough for that small of a tank. Not bad at pricing either. You can probably get two of these and they fit into a regular bulb socket. I think they sell the clamp too. PAR30 Reef Lamp

 

[TRex91]

I was thinking about getting one of those par 38 lamps.. I think it was one from ecoxotic and one just on ebay,,, i was just concerned about the power... Im going to look into the ones listed and see how i like those and let y'all know.. Thanks for feedback be back later... Also i will try to merge this into a build thread if i get things going fast enough and a list of plans for tank

 

[glb]

Following. I'm looking to add LEDs to my 12g soon.

 

[Arubix]

I was thinking about getting one of those par 38 lamps.. I think it was one from ecoxotic and one just on ebay,,, i was just concerned about the power... Im going to look into the ones listed and see how i like those and let y'all know.. Thanks for feedback be back later... Also i will try to merge this into a build thread if i get things going fast enough and a list of plans for tank

I have a Par30 on a 2gal and its more than enough for my sps. I think you would be fine with a par38. If it doesn't work out then you can always get 2 =)

 

[TRex91]

Definitely,,, i even thought maybe doing a custom light might be cool... A diy,,, again those are just expensive when done right... Obviously its best to spend a little more money and get it done right i just wasn't best price and best performance,, oh and looks lol .. I love aqua illumination stuff too... There is just so many options... I think right now tho i still have panorama pro strips with dimers on top of the list and just making a custom housing for them