Is it important for me to get a good light

[HaiFish]

I am hoping to get corals and possible anemones and I have a basic light that can be blue and have the lighting adjusted as well as a timer. Do i need a specific light for corals? I want them to be healthy and colorful but lighting is soo expensive.

 

[Marquarium]

It all depends on size of tank and the kinds of corals you want to keep

If your tank isn't wide or deep you won't need a ton of amazing lights. What size tank do you have and what kind of corals other than anemones do you want to keep?

 

[Uncle99]

It’s not $ but spectrum and intensity
My cheap Viparspevtra 165 watt have grown everything including clams and acros

 

[HaiFish]

It all depends on size of tank and the kinds of corals you want to keep

If your tank isn't wide or deep you won't need a ton of amazing lights. What size tank do you have and what kind of corals other than anemones do you want to keep?

I have a 10 gal long tank and From what I think so far, i want to keep
Corals: Zoanthids, toadstools, finger corals, duncans, hammers, xenia, green star polyps

Anemones, rock flower anemones, condy nems

but I am not sure. I have a really good fish place that can recommend some good ones.

 

[lil sumpin]

Lighting is something you definitely don't want to cheap out on. Luckily there's a lot of decent, budget minded options available nowadays

 

[Brian W]

I would say for the beginning of your reef tank hobby with the easier soft corals and anemone you can get away with a cheap light for a short time. As you get more corals you will want to plan to get a better light. They are much higher quality, higher output, more durable, last longer, adjustable, and are worth it in the end. They are expensive, but you can find good deals on last gens or people getting out of the hobby on your local area.

I hear these Nicrew led lights are good. Cheap but not cheap. You can check out FishofHexs videos and other youtubers for their reviews. If I was a new reefer or setting up a new tank and know what I know. These are what I would start off with on my tank.

 

[Marquarium]

I have a 10 gal long tank and From what I think so far, i want to keep
Corals: Zoanthids, toadstools, finger corals, duncans, hammers, xenia, green star polyps

Anemones, rock flower anemones, condy nems

but I am not sure. I have a really good fish place that can recommend some good ones.

For a tank that size and soft corals you won't need much light - I'm sure your LFS can help you but no need for anything expensive

 

[HaiFish]

I would say for the beginning of your reef tank hobby with the easier soft corals and anemone you can get away with a cheap light for a short time. As you get more corals you will want to plan to get a better light. They are much higher quality, higher output, mlre durable, last longer, and are worth it in the end. They are expensive, but you can find good deals on last gens or people getting out of the hobby on your local area.

I hear these Nicrew led lights are good. Cheap but not cheap. You can check out FishofHexs videos and other youtubers for their reviews. If I was a new reefer or setting up a new tank and know what I know. These are what i would start off with on my tank

It's crazy how expensive this hobby is.

 

[lil sumpin]

I have a 10 gal long tank and From what I think so far, i want to keep
Corals: Zoanthids, toadstools, finger corals, duncans, hammers, xenia, green star polyps

Anemones, rock flower anemones, condy nems

but I am not sure. I have a really good fish place that can recommend some good ones.

I'd recommend this

It's a lotta bang for the buck

 

[slingfox]

This hobby is expensive but a lot of people quit after only a year or two. You should check out the local resale market places like CraigsList, OfferUp, and eBay since there is often used stuff available. Also check out the marketplace here as well as on your local reef aquarium club.

 

[Brian W]

It's crazy how expensive this hobby is.

Yes it is and can be. You will eventually get to a point where you don't spend as much money because you have everything you need lol. Also you can get to the point where you can trade or sell coral frags from your tank to help offset the price on things you may want to upgrade later down the road.

 

[Dbichler]

On a 10 gallon I would get a noopsyche mini for $80 and call it good.

 

[slogan315]

The good part about lighting is it contributes to the growth and health of your corals, but also the look of the whole display. So even though it might be one of the more expensive pieces of equipment you buy, it can instantly make your whole reef look and grow better.

I was growing coral under a Fluval stock light. I began to enjoy looking at that tank when I upgraded lights. The enjoyment of this hobby for me is looking at my tank and its progress. I like looking at it a lot more with a nicely balanced light.

Checkout a noopsyche k7 mini. Or k7 v3 pro if you think you might ever upgrade.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

T5 lighting is excellent and very affordable. Many people who have successful reef tanks use exclusively T5. for a 10 gallon tank you don't need to throw hundreds of dollars at lighting to be successful.

https://www.htgsupply.com/products/growbright-2-foot-1-lamp-high-output-t5/

2 Foot 2-Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light | HTG Supply

Low heat, high-intensity lighting for growing plants! The HTG Supply 2ft 2-Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light comes with the fixture and TWO specialty T5 bulbs of your choosing. Super flexible and versatile for any growing needs, depending on the spectrum of your bulbs this T5 grow light system can...

www.htgsupply.com

either of these would work just fine for a 10 gallon softy/lps tank, I would recommend the two bulb over the single but they both will work.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-blue-plus.html
bulbs to get that sweet sweet blue florescent glow.

 

[HaiFish]

T5 lighting is excellent and very affordable. Many people who have successful reef tanks use exclusively T5. for a 10 gallon tank you don't need to throw hundreds of dollars at lighting to be successful.

https://www.htgsupply.com/products/growbright-2-foot-1-lamp-high-output-t5/

2 Foot 2-Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light | HTG Supply

Low heat, high-intensity lighting for growing plants! The HTG Supply 2ft 2-Lamp High Output T5 Grow Light comes with the fixture and TWO specialty T5 bulbs of your choosing. Super flexible and versatile for any growing needs, depending on the spectrum of your bulbs this T5 grow light system can...

www.htgsupply.com

either of these would work just fine for a 10 gallon softy/lps tank, I would recommend the two bulb over the single but they both will work.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-blue-plus.html
bulbs to get that sweet sweet blue florescent glow.

what light size do I get?

 

[MrWellington]

I wouldn't buy new. Check the marketplace here on R2R - good quality lights are always being offered.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

what light size do I get?

24"

 

[Sal Amadeo]

I have a 10 gal long tank and From what I think so far, i want to keep
Corals: Zoanthids, toadstools, finger corals, duncans, hammers, xenia, green star polyps

Anemones, rock flower anemones, condy nems

but I am not sure. I have a really good fish place that can recommend some good ones.

You need a bigger tank, try 55 long or 90 gal

 

[HaiFish]

You need a bigger tank, try 55 long or 90 gal

not getting a bigger tank right now

 

[morris90]

It’s not $ but spectrum and intensity
My cheap Viparspevtra 165 watt have grown everything including clams and acros

What size tank are you running? Thanks