First Aquarium, Lighting Advice?

Brad_HT · Sep 9, 2016

Hello,
I just introduced myself over in the meet and greet forum, but to give you the lowdown... Here is what I've got.
I bought a 12g Nano Cube Dx 3 months ago and have had it up and running ever since. About a month ago I put in some snails by the advice of my LFS. Today I am going to get one clown fish for my daughter [emoji2]
The goal is to have a very colorful reef tank

Here's the downside. The tank I bought was used ($100 total) and one hinge on the hinge was broke, as well as the fans in the hood won't work (even after replacing them). I originally thought to replace the hood from JBJ for the Led version, but after looking it up, I realized it's really pricey. I want to have an Led lighting system, but one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Eventually I'll spend bigger money on a larger tank.

The ask...? What kind of Led hood or system can I get that will work with my cube? I've searched on Amazon and found a few that are inexpensive, but I'm not sure of the quality.

Secondly... What Led colors should I look for and should I get a programmer? I usually turn the current light on in the morning and off at night... I want the coral colors to pop so I don't know what Led colors to get... Suggestions?

Thanks for anything you can offer... And if you have any questions, please ask...! I want to learn.

Blessings
B~

cromag27 · Sep 9, 2016

Check out the nano led kits at rapidled.com. you can even get them with a controller, which I'd recommend, especially since I'm guessing you don't have an apex. they can also assist you with a color combo that would suite your needs. in my opinion you'd want royal blue, uv and neutral white.

cromag27 · Sep 9, 2016

Sorry, I just noticed they don't have a kit for your tank, but I'd give them a call and ask if there's something they can do for you. they are very helpful.

cjd · Sep 9, 2016

price is the question? what are you willing to spend . If a bigger tank is in the future any of the name brand led systems would be a great choice since leds can be adjusted they can be adjusted to any size tank. So you buy something that works for you now and in the future upgrade . just a suggestion , I would remove the top all together maybe look into the radion pro xr15 . they have a price drop right now on the generation 3's because the generation 4's just came out . they will give you that insane "pop" that you are looking for.

Chrisfish · Sep 9, 2016

Another led light you might want to consider is the Kessil 160 tuna blue. You'd have plenty of coverage for your fish and most corals. Mounting is sold separately and they also have a controller but again its separate as well. But it does depend on how much you want to spend.

Brad_HT · Sep 9, 2016

I looked up the Kessil and the Radion. I like the latter but both are out of my price range. I was hoping to find something I the $100 range, but maybe I'm dreaming.
B~

cromag27 · Sep 9, 2016

Cheap Chinese led box.

Brad_HT said:
I looked up the Kessil and the Radion. I like the latter but both are out of my price range. I was hoping to find something I the $100 range, but maybe I'm dreaming.
B~

BummersReef · Sep 9, 2016

$100 is on the "cheap" end for lights but ..... That's ok! This hobby is very expensive - do what you can afford now and if you end up really loving the hobby then you can spend big bucks in the future. No, $100 LED lights are not gonna be that great but you can still grow some basic corals and it will be fine for now.

Brad_HT · Sep 9, 2016

Man, I'm bummed. I didn't think it was going to be this pricy right out the gate. I can get by with what I've got I'm sure...

What about used equipment... Is there a marketplace where I can buy stuff people aren't using anymore? eBay, etc...?
B~

BummersReef · Sep 9, 2016

Craigslist! Also depending on where you live there are local reef forums ... Some are right here on R2R ... Look under local reefer forums - you can find selling threads there.
It is an expensive hobby but can be done reasonably if you take your time

Oscaror · Sep 9, 2016

As I said in your introduction forum mushrooms are a great beginner corals and they will pretty much be happy no matter what so if you want them stock nanocube lighting is fine. I know a guy who kept mushrooms with no lighting at all on the tank for a good while and they were not happy but doing alright. They're super hardy. Many zoanthids are also easy and colourful. If you want to advance into hard corals in the future though you may likely need better lighting.

Daniel Morales · Sep 9, 2016

Daniel Morales · Sep 9, 2016

I have these on my 29 biocube Current Trulumen Pro LED Marine Fusion & 453nm blue Actinic cost about $100 for the dual led kit .Then I added an aditional blue unit cost like $26 since the kit comes with a 3 way spittler.Dimmable all u need is a timer.

Daniel Morales · Sep 9, 2016

I have these on my 29 biocube Current Trulumen Pro LED Marine Fusion & 453nm blue Actinic cost about $100 for the dual led kit .Then I added an aditional blue unit cost like $26 since the kit comes with a 3 way spittler.Dimmable all u need is a timer.