Hello!!! Where to find 12" lights for Reef?

UncleSalty · May 19, 2014

Hello everyone! First post here. My fiance and I both recently decided to start some saltwater tanks. She wanted a column tank and I wanted a bow front. Ultimately, due to space, I ended up with a 36 gallon bow front, and she ended up with a 15g column! She wants to eventually have a nano-reef in there, but I am having trouble locating any 12" lights that work for reefs. Can someone point me in the right direction?

To give some more information, we added live sand (we didn't rinse), and we added one live rock, with a bunch of dry rock. Now the tanks are sitting and currently decided how to introduce bacteria (shrimp or bio spira). We're waiting on the sand to settle but are already seeing some small creatures running around! Tomorrow we need to pick up some power heads to get the flow going and then its time to hurry up and wait!!

Looking forward to talking with everyone here and I am SURE I will have plenty of questions!!!

peterthegamer · May 19, 2014

Go with t5. Either bigger or smaller won't be an issue. Smaller can have a bracket or bigger can be onto of the tank.

peterthegamer · May 19, 2014

Or I you want some serious light then get some leds they range from 6inch to 12inch in length.

gemini9 · May 19, 2014

Welcome to the forums! Yes the waiting is the hard part. Ive been waiting for about 2 and a half months. Takes allot of work allot of money and allot of time. Hope to see you around!

HiddenUser · May 19, 2014

Kessil or AI Hydra lights are pretty nice and would work...If you want LEDs that are powerful enough for a reef tank...

Longnose Hawkfish · May 19, 2014

I have a kessil a150 and it is great. The corals grow fast and they sure have nice coloration under it.

KillerKlownFish · May 19, 2014

Google the lights! Look at images see what looks like you need. Then google the brand or shopping. Check amazon you'll find exactly what you are looking for at a great price.

Test your water every day or other day. You may miss the cycle spike.

Take out any bad critters. Also hunt for them at night.

I saw a tank at LFS with awesome lights that made all the coral pop. They were tru lumen. Very expensive at the store found them online for half the price.

Good luck