Budget Lighting: 54 Gallon Corner Softies/LPS?

[astrick117]

Currently have a 54 gallon corner FOWLR with a very basic aqueon LED light. It is starting to die, so I'm looking for a replacement, but would like to upgrade to something that could support softies and LPS down the road.

I've looked at lights and was shocked by how expensive they have gotten vs 2.5 yrs ago when I still had my mixed reef.

Any suggestions that won't break the bank, but will support LPS?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

What does budget mean to you can I get a range.

 

[Spare time]

If it is a fowler, those lights are still pretty cheap. I guess it all depends on what kind of features you care about.

 

[astrick117]

What does budget mean to you can I get a range.

I guess I'm looking for something basic but reliable. I don't need something with crazy programming or anything. I'm happy to buy used and would like to stay under $300 if possible.

 

[astrick117]

If it is a fowler, those lights are still pretty cheap. I guess it all depends on what kind of features you care about.

I don't need any fancy programming capabilities, just something that is basic but reliable and will adequately support the coral types I mentioned.

 

[flashsmith]

Look into a maxspect jump?

 

[astrick117]

Look into a maxspect jump?

Wow... definitely a possibility. Looks like people love them. I'll just have to see what kind of spread they have, but I like that it has multiple led groupings that are spread out

 

[Spare time]

I don't need any fancy programming capabilities, just something that is basic but reliable and will adequately support the coral types I mentioned.

Ah I misread the post, my bad.


Anyway, how do you plan on mounting the light? (hanging vs arm)?

 

[astrick117]

Ah I misread the post, my bad.


Anyway, how do you plan on mounting the light? (hanging vs arm)?

No worries. I will probably create a custom mount to hang them since mounting on the tank would make it uneven given the corner shape

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Here are two that can be dimmed for Mix reef

 

[Spare time]

No worries. I will probably create a custom mount to hang them since mounting on the tank would make it uneven given the corner shape

Smart farm lights seem pretty nice for the price, though I haven't used a par meter on them. I found this about them https://humble.fish/community/index.php?threads/telegrahams-lighting-tests.5719/#post-123283

I have played around with these lights and they definitely are something I would recommend based off of that

 

[Jedi1199]

What are your tank dimensions?

When considering lighting for a mixed reef, one of the major factors to consider is spread and diffusion.

For example, a 55g that is 36" tall, will need a MUCH more powerful light than a 55g that is only 20" tall. You need to punch through a LOT of water to reach the bottom.

On the same line a 55g that is 12" tall, but spans 30 x 30 (for example) would need less powerful lights, but more of them to cover the larger footprint.

When considering lighting options, this is your start point, Cost is a close second, but if you don't know what you need, you can spend a lot of money for lights that will not fit your specific need.

 

[mjw011689]

Currently running the viparspectra on my 70 and everything seems to be growing just fine. Softies, rbtas, lps, even have a green slimer that won’t stop growing. Color is pretty good as well. I wanna say it’s like 120 on Amazon.

 

[flashsmith]

Wow... definitely a possibility. Looks like people love them. I'll just have to see what kind of spread they have, but I like that it has multiple led groupings that are spread out

I'm running 3 on a 4 ft tank. I had 2 which was more than enough but I decided to try some SPS so I added the extra light. The app they use is the easiest one I've ever used. I have radions on another tank and the app is terrible.

 

[astrick117]

What are your tank dimensions?

When considering lighting for a mixed reef, one of the major factors to consider is spread and diffusion.

For example, a 55g that is 36" tall, will need a MUCH more powerful light than a 55g that is only 20" tall. You need to punch through a LOT of water to reach the bottom.

On the same line a 55g that is 12" tall, but spans 30 x 30 (for example) would need less powerful lights, but more of them to cover the larger footprint.

When considering lighting options, this is your start point, Cost is a close second, but if you don't know what you need, you can spend a lot of money for lights that will not fit your specific need.

Since it is a corner tank,its harder to measure than a standard rectangle. I believe the radius of the tank (from the back corner to one front corner) is roughly 27". From front corner to the other front corner, I think it is 39".

 

[astrick117]

I'm running 3 on a 4 ft tank. I had 2 which was more than enough but I decided to try some SPS so I added the extra light. The app they use is the easiest one I've ever used. I have radions on another tank and the app is terrible.

Any chance you have them hanging rather than using the mounting arm?

 

[flashsmith]

Any chance you have them hanging rather than using the mounting arm?

No I use the mounting arms. Premium aquatics has them on sale 20% off this weekend.

 

[astrick117]

Yea I actually saw that and ordered one, but now I'm concerned because I can't find a hanging kit anywhere. The only sites that have them are in Europe

 

[James5214]

I guess I'm looking for something basic but reliable. I don't need something with crazy programming or anything. I'm happy to buy used and would like to stay under $300 if possible.

AI prime is very good and has the app you can control the light with. Has ramp up ramp down. Night settings. I have it for my lps and softie tank.

 

[flashsmith]

Yea I actually saw that and ordered one, but now I'm concerned because I can't find a hanging kit anywhere. The only sites that have them are in Europe

Home Depot or Lowe's.