Best SPS lighting?

[Lornaxoxo]

I'm upgrading my 75g tank to a 160 gallon and I'm looking into getting new lights so I can grow more SPS corals. What lighting do y'all suggest?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I'm upgrading my 75g tank to a 160 gallon and I'm looking into getting new lights so I can grow more SPS corals. What lighting do y'all suggest?

Bright ones!!!


All kidding aside, that is a tough question. T5's are great. LED's work well. Metal halides work great also. Just make sure that whatever you decide on, that you have enough lighting to provide full coverage of the tank. LED's coverage can leave low light areas, where T5 and Halides have more uniform coverage.

 

[Lavey29]

Seems like a hybrid T5 and LED produces consistent good SPS results.

 

[djf91]

What dimensions are your new tank?

 

[Acroporaguy]

ATI T5 fixture or Metal Halide if you want the 'best' lighting. Orphek or the ATI Straton if you want to stick with new tech.

 

[shakacuz]

aliexpress LED bar... similar PAR as the orphek/reefbrite, a fraction of the cost.. alongside some black box LEDs like smatfarm, noopsyche, reefi uno, viparspectra, etc

 

[sfin52]

Halide has both simmer and saturation will grow anything but produces a lot of heat
T5 saturation no shimmer will also grow everything some heat.
Led shimmer will grow everything but produces shadowing

Led/t5 combo. Saturation shimmer prob the most expensive option.

 

[sfin52]

Halide has both simmer and saturation will grow anything but produces a lot of heat
T5 saturation no shimmer will also grow everything some heat.
Led shimmer will grow everything but produces shadowing

Led/t5 combo. Saturation shimmer is the most expensive option.

Bottom line all will grow coral successfully

 

[Miami Reef]

LED’s, Halides, T5’s…they all work! It’s all about preference. Many successful reefers use LED’s.

My opinion: I like T5’s because I like the spectrum coloration and the even blanket of light. Little to none shadowing of corals.

 

[rtparty]

Best? Halides by far.

Best for you? That depends on your setup, how you want to mount them, and other priorities you have

 

[Lornaxoxo]

I'm upgrading my 75g tank to a 160 gallon and I'm looking into getting new lights so I can grow more SPS corals. What lighting do y'all suggest?

I would just like to add that I can’t hang from my ceiling

 

[X-37B]

They all work if you know what your doing.
Pick one and focus on keeping your reef stable.

 

[Lornaxoxo]

What dimensions are your new tank?

roughly 60x24

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Halide has both simmer and saturation will grow anything but produces a lot of heat
T5 saturation no shimmer will also grow everything some heat.
Led shimmer will grow everything but produces shadowing

Led/t5 combo. Saturation shimmer is the most expensive option.

Bottom line all will grow coral successfully

Halide has both simmer and saturation will grow anything but produces a lot of heat
T5 saturation no shimmer will also grow everything some heat.
Led shimmer will grow everything but produces shadowing

Led/t5 combo. Saturation shimmer prob the most expensive option.

I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you please say it again?

 

[A. grandis]

I'm upgrading my 75g tank to a 160 gallon and I'm looking into getting new lights so I can grow more SPS corals. What lighting do y'all suggest?

Best lights? Metal halides and T5s. Get a Giesemann Spectra!

 

[sfin52]

Best lights? Metal halides and T5s. Get a Giesemann Spectra!

Homer. Lol I forgot that combo. I'm just messing with you. Your insights on halides and t5 is part of the reason I went with t5 that and tidel gardens.

 

[sfin52]

I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you please say it again?

Sorry a third time and I may get the boot