Brand spanky new.

[Bkab_Jay]

Have a 75 gal tank (48x18x21 I believe) and am looking for light. I do not know where to start.

I plan to keep a reef tank with lps and fish.

I am budget minded (yep, so I picked saltwater ‍) and looking for low cost to start (to please the boss, er, I mean wife.) I don’t mind spending more later.

Yep. Tank is ugly. It was a super cheap pickup. Everything here for $75

 

[Sailingeric]

I have the Maxspect RazorX I got from Bulkreef Suppy for $600. If you are starting with fish only, you could get by with an Current USA Orbit Marine, just depends on how fast you want to jump into lps

 

[Bkab_Jay]

I will likely grab some corrals before I get any fish.

 

[SPR1968]

That looks like a great start, and welcome to R2R as well!

Keep the pictures coming

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Right now I haven’t even added water. I like to work a plan rather than plan while working.

 

[DeepSouth]

Welcome. good score on the tank. Is it drilled, or are you using a hang on the back filter?

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Not drilled. They were using for fresh water. Came with 2 hang on Marineland 400 filters.

 

[DeepSouth]

The folks on here are really decent and helpful, so I'm sure they can help with the setup. I'm new to saltwater myself, and have learned a lot from them already.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Yessir, I’m sure to read some super good stuff.

Lighting is my biggest confusion so far. I’m trying to stay in $200 range but the way companies advertise is really pretty deceitful making it sound like it would work well for reef but they really just mean a marine tank.

 

[Chessmanmark]

$200 doesn’t go far for a 4’ tank.

The challenge for you is deciding what your immediate desires are. The problem with this is that many hobbyists have a basic vision for their first tank, but it quickly changes. The sooner you realize
this the less you will spend overall.

Your lighting needs will be dependent on the corals that you keep. Perhaps you are considering soft
corals for now. Over time your tastes will change and the costs will increase.

You threw out a $200 budget. One idea is to buy one LED Prime now and keep your corals on one
side of the tank, then eventually you can buy another pendant.

Prime HD LED Module (White) Aqua Illumination

With new HD (Hyper Drive) technology you can now transfer power from one channel of LED's to another to give more power to the channels that your tank may need. HD technology also allows you to create almost any spectrum you wish with the easy to use MyAI app and AiFi wireless connection, it is...

www.marinedepot.com

You may want to look in the used equipment ads on a local forum or Craigslist. A local reef club
would be a huge asset if you can find one.

Otherwise search for some fluorescent fixtures, preferably T5.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Thank you!

Yes, t5’s are definitely an option for me to begin with.

So far, used, I have found absolutely none. Unless I want to buy a complete setup with it. Lol.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

$200 doesn’t go far for a 4’ tank.

The challenge for you is deciding what your immediate desires are. The problem with this is that many hobbyists have a basic vision for their first tank, but it quickly changes. The sooner you realize
this the less you will spend overall.

Your lighting needs will be dependent on the corals that you keep. Perhaps you are considering soft
corals for now. Over time your tastes will change and the costs will increase.

You threw out a $200 budget. One idea is to buy one LED Prime now and keep your corals on one
side of the tank, then eventually you can buy another pendant.

Prime HD LED Module (White) Aqua Illumination

With new HD (Hyper Drive) technology you can now transfer power from one channel of LED's to another to give more power to the channels that your tank may need. HD technology also allows you to create almost any spectrum you wish with the easy to use MyAI app and AiFi wireless connection, it is...

www.marinedepot.com

You may want to look in the used equipment ads on a local forum or Craigslist. A local reef club
would be a huge asset if you can find one.

Otherwise search for some fluorescent fixtures, preferably T5.

I kinda like that light. How many you think for the tank to make adequate light for the whole thing?

1 to get started and could add more as I go.

 

[Chessmanmark]

That depends on what kind of corals that you want to grow. This fits your price, but it doesn’t necessarily
mean it is the right light for you.

It’s a good cost effective light to start with. Two will basically light up your tank.

Search for some PAR diagrams at different depths to see if it will provide the appropriate intensity and spread for your needs.

 

[Bkab_Jay]

T5 lighting, what is the difference between the stuff marketed to reefers and the stuff marketed towards, say, someone looking for garage lighting? (As far as the fixture goes)

 

[Chessmanmark]

I started with PCs, then switched to Metal Halides with VHO’s, and now I have Metal Halides with some LEDs. I’m no expert on T5s, but it probably has to do with output (watts and voltage), the spectrum of the bulbs, and controllability.

I just saw this that may interest you. I don’t know the seller but saw the post in new responses.

Wisconsin - Aqua Illumination Ai Hydra LED light- Super clean and beautiful color effects- This is my secret light to my 93 cube

This is the very light many have asked what I use on my cube tank. I am switching to twin Ai 52 units and am reluctant to sell this light as it has been nothing but good to me. It has grown everything under the sun and been super dependable. Can be controlled right from your phone (android or...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Chessmanmark]

Search the dry goods section. I also found this.

California Kessil 160we $175 tuna blue

Have two available Great condition $175 shipped each obo

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Thoughts on this(48”)? If it shows up right...

 

[Marco S]

Thoughts on this(48”)? If it shows up right...

Here is a link to the specs as far as PAR goes for the different Orbit LED's: https://currentusa.zendesk.com/hc/e...wavelength-does-the-Orbit-Marine-LED-produce-

Personally I would rather have the AI Prime HD, (and I do have one for my coral QT Tank) and I would rather have multiple lights than one unit, but it's really up to you. I have seen a few videos of people with the Orbit Marine LED on their LPS tanks and the tanks look alright so it is definitively an option. I know @CJs Aquariums used to have one on his 37 gallon cube several years ago and his tank looked really good.

Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Bkab_Jay]

Here is a link to the specs as far as PAR goes for the different Orbit LED's: https://currentusa.zendesk.com/hc/e...wavelength-does-the-Orbit-Marine-LED-produce-

Personally I would rather have the AI Prime HD, (and I do have one for my coral QT Tank) and I would rather have multiple lights than one unit, but it's really up to you. I have seen a few videos of people with the Orbit Marine LED on their LPS tanks and the tanks look alright so it is definitively an option. I know @CJs Aquariums used to have one on his 37 gallon cube several years ago and his tank looked really good.

Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to R2R!!!

Thank you. Looking at that, I don’t believe it will work. Hmmmmm

 

[Chessmanmark]

I have something similar on my 90 gallon tank. I use them for actinic lighting an hour before the main lights come on and an hour after the main lights go off. It extends the amount of time that I get to enjoy the tank and gives certain corals a pop, seeing them in a different light, however my LED actinics aren’t strong enough for growth and maintaining healthy corals.

Here is a 10 minute video that will break lighting down for you.