Coralife VS Solarflare?

[Pittsford_Pets]

Hey everyone! Happy New Years!

I just posted about my Solarflare ex 320 and nobody had a clue what it is. It only has 2/5 stars on amazon, so I can tell it’s not great... but my question here isn’t about just one bad light, it’s about my current light, the Corallife dual T5 (10,000K and actinic Bulbs). I’m not the best with lighting, so here’s my question. If I’m lighting a 10 gallon tank, is it beneficial to have more actinic or wattage? I don’t know if that’s a good question, but last night I took the Solarflare off of my Planted tank and turned on the blue setting. For the first time I actually got to see the colors of my coral! The two corallife bulbs have 24 Watts each, but the Solarflare only has 12 Watts all together. I’m considering leaving the Solarflare on the 10g Planted and upgrading the reef lights when I get paid. What’re my best lighting options for my nano reef? I’d like to see the real colors of my coral, not brown, with the most colorful being my GSP...

To sum it up:

Could I use the Solarflare on my reef if it’s better than the T5?

What’s a good lighting option (under $100) for a reef?

Is actinic better than more wattage?

Could you link somewhere to learn about lighting?

Again, Happy New Year!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I'm not familiar with the Solarflare, but it sounds like an LED light which means that comparing the wattage of it and the Corallife (a T5 light) is going to be comparing apples and oranges. LED's put out way more light per watt than T5's or Halides. However, that said, the wattage you're describing on the Solarflare doesn't sound like it's powerful enough for anything photosynthetic (basically, it's a light that's going to let you see your fish but isn't going to grow much of anything). I'd actually recommend upgrading both of those lights (although the Corallife could grow stuff and may be enough to hold you over for a bit).

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

I'm not familiar with the Solarflare, but it sounds like an LED light which means that comparing the wattage of it and the Corallife (a T5 light) is going to be comparing apples and oranges. LED's put out way more light per watt than T5's or Halides. However, that said, the wattage you're describing on the Solarflare doesn't sound like it's powerful enough for anything photosynthetic (basically, it's a light that's going to let you see your fish but isn't going to grow much of anything). I'd actually recommend upgrading both of those lights (although the Corallife could grow stuff and may be enough to hold you over for a bit).

I’m thinking an AI Prime or an A80. Which do you prefer?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

AI Prime for sure! I love that light! Great option.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

AI Prime for sure! I love that light! Great option.

I’m on a tight budget and $200 isn’t a great option for me... will an A80 be as good in such a small tank?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I’m on a tight budget and $200 isn’t a great option for me... will an A80 be as good in such a small tank?

Not in my opinion, but it will ultimately depend on what you plan to keep.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Not in my opinion, but it will ultimately depend on what you plan to keep.

I mean will it be good enough for most corals? $200 is 2 - 3 weeks pay for me

 

[DracoKat]

how about a par38 bulb or two? Coral Compulsion runs about $60 per bulb, and my softies love them. I believe they are strong enough for LPS, but not much of SPS corals

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I mean will it be good enough for most corals? $200 is 2 - 3 weeks pay for me

What are you planning to keep?

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

how about a par38 bulb or two? Coral Compulsion runs about $60 per bulb, and my softies love them. I believe they are strong enough for LPS, but not much of SPS corals

I’d assume those T5s? The corallife fixture I have doesn’t fit other bulbs... Instead of buying a whole new fixture I’ve decided on LEDs, I think it’s more cost effective for a 10g. If you have any cheap options I’d love to know

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

What are you planning to keep?

Softies and LPS. I also have a green bubble tip

 

[DracoKat]

No- an led bulb

https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Compulsion-Par38-Spectrum-Dimmable/dp/B01BTKI9IY

You don’t have to replace these yearly like t5s

You can get non- dimmable for $60. I posted the dimmable one

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

No- an led bulb

https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Compulsion-Par38-Spectrum-Dimmable/dp/B01BTKI9IY

You don’t have to replace these yearly like t5s

You can get non- dimmable for $60. I posted the dimmable one

Would that be as good as an A80 or AI Prime?