LED for 55g beginner coral hobbyist

[Kasey]

I’m about to cyccle my first saltwater tank, a 55g 4 foot long by 12 inches wide with about 16 inches from sand substrate to the water surface. Once I successfully mature with FOWLR, I really want to get into coral and anemones. I’m clueless on lights! I don’t really have a budget, I want to invest in something nice but under $500. I’d like to find something programmable that would also work with my existing hood (if that’s even an option!)

 

[Montiman]

Most modern LED lights are not designed to work in a traditional hood. What I might consider is a Fluval Marine and Reef 3.0

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you vent the hood you should be fine. Leave an air gap between the led and top.
In order of price
Two of those fluvals would work pretty well.
Current orbit marine pro is also good.
Zetlight series lights
SBreeflight ultras
Reefbreeders photon
2-3 Ai prime
3 kessil 160
2 kessil 360we

 

[BranchingHammer]

+1 Reefbreeders photon 32 or 48.

 

[lapin]

Welcome and Howdy
Let us know what hood you have for your Aquaculture tank. Even take pic. That will help us spend your money.
I see the A kit comes with an LED light that sits on the frame. To bad this will not work for corals.
Saltyfilmfolks has some great ideas

 

[Kasey]

I’m kind of looking at Ocean Revive Arctic T247. This isn’t what I’ll be running for water and substrate, everyone is on order and slowly arriving over the next week.

 

[lapin]

That is a great light. It will need to hang over the tank. There are different ways to do that. It can be hung from the ceiling or wall. There also have kits that clamp to the back of your tank rim.