First Reef, 20 gallon Long. Lighting Question.

[HumuhumuFan]

Hi, I've previously made a few posts about my 75 gallon FOWLR but I've decided I want to try my hand at some corals. I had an open 20 gallon long so my plan is to try it out. If I enjoy it and it goes well I might setup a 180 gallon in a year or two.

My goal is to keep zoas, hammers, and war coral.

Currently I have an extra 24 inch blue actinic T8 running on it and the NatGeo LED strip I keep for my QT. Obviously, this is not sufficient for coral but I wanted to keep lights on it to hopefully help the coralline spread.

With regard to the lightning for corals I have been looking at a few options but leaning towards a Current USA Orbit or an AI Prime HD. The 20g long is a pretty shallow tank, which is nice, but the length makes coverage a concern. If I do end up getting a larger tank, I feel like it would be nice to be able to use the Prime on it and just add a few more. Would that be feasible and would either of those lights support the corals I listed? Thanks.

 

[Marksreef]

Both lights will work for you.
I would grow with the AI Prime.
They are 18-24 spread but just keep the higher light corals more center but should still be ok on the outer edges. Rock stacks are usually away from glass sided anyway.

 

[HumuhumuFan]

Both lights will work for you.
I would grow with the AI Prime.
They are 18-24 spread but just keep the higher light corals more center but should still be ok on the outer edges. Rock stacks are usually away from glass sided anyway.

Thanks for the info. I think I will go with the Prime. I really like the idea of a a light that can be used on a different tank in the future.

 

[NS Mike D]

Your plan is for low light demand corals in a rectangular tank. The lights you mention are very good, more than you need but keep in mind that the shape of their clusters are meant for cube tanks, or used in arrays for rectangular tanks. You may be better off with a less expensive black box light (strips that will more evenly spread over a rectangular tank) for the 20 gal long.

LEDS are quickly advancing to provide better spread using diffusers and information of settings that work (there is a lot of try this and see given the total control over individual wavelengths). If you decide to upgrade to a larger tank and more demanding corals, either the one you mention now will be a bargain in the used market or you can get the latests and greatest matched for your new tank. The black box now should be cost preventive for future upgrades at lighting.

 

[HumuhumuFan]

Your plan is for low light demand corals in a rectangular tank. The lights you mention are very good, more than you need but keep in mind that the shape of their clusters are meant for cube tanks, or used in arrays for rectangular tanks. You may be better off with a less expensive black box light (strips that will more evenly spread over a rectangular tank) for the 20 gal long.

LEDS are quickly advancing to provide better spread using diffusers and information of settings that work (there is a lot of try this and see given the total control over individual wavelengths). If you decide to upgrade to a larger tank and more demanding corals, either the one you mention now will be a bargain in the used market or you can get the latests and greatest matched for your new tank. The black box now should be cost preventive for future upgrades at lighting.

Now you've got me leaning towards the Current USA. I could supplement it with either the T8 actinic if it would bring anything to the table. It would also be half the cost. I just hate the idea of not using it in a year or two if I decide to build a bigger tank.