LED lights for various corals

[Melinda01]

I have been trying to figure out what kind of lighting I need to start adding corals to my tank. I understand the parameters of mag, ca, and alk. They are in check. I also have plenty of flow. But I’m clueless when it comes to lighting and placement. I need to figure this out before I go forward. I’d like to get it started ASAP because my DT has to run fallow for 76 days right now anyway. Any help would be appreciated.
I have a 72 gallon Bowfront tank. As of now I have 3 48in white strip lights in the tank. I bought a blue strip light to go with two of the white lights but that makes the tank very, very blue. I seen this on Craigslist and the person lives right down the road from me. Would this be sufficient? He stated that the bulbs have 9,000 hours on them at this time.

 

[tdileo]

Depends on the corals you want. This light is fine for soft corals, but not much beyond that. You will probably not be keeping SPS or even most LPS unless they’re in the upper 1/4 of the tank. There are lots of choices but typically these strip LEDs are not the greatest. I had one when I first started and when I couldn’t even grow a monti cap right under it I realized I needed a different light. The cheapest option for a 72 bowfront would probably be 2 black box LEDs like MarsAqua. Around $100 each off Amazon I believe and you can grow any corals you want, the only thing I wouldn’t probably try is clams unless they’re in the upper region of the tank. I used black box LEDs for a while and while they are strong and are the best bang for your buck IMO, I would much rather use something like a pair of Hydra 26HD or Radion XR15s to light a 72 bowfront.

 

[Melinda01]

Depends on the corals you want. This light is fine for soft corals, but not much beyond that. You will probably not be keeping SPS or even most LPS unless they’re in the upper 1/4 of the tank. There are lots of choices but typically these strip LEDs are not the greatest. I had one when I first started and when I couldn’t even grow a monti cap right under it I realized I needed a different light. The cheapest option for a 72 bowfront would probably be 2 black box LEDs like MarsAqua. Around $100 each off Amazon I believe and you can grow any corals you want, the only thing I wouldn’t probably try is clams unless they’re in the upper region of the tank. I used black box LEDs for a while and while they are strong and are the best bang for your buck IMO, I would much rather use something like a pair of Hydra 26HD or Radion XR15s to light a 72 bowfront.

Thank you so much for your reply. I’ll look into the lights you mentioned. Right now I’m just getting started so I’m not sure myself what I want but I know I want something that will grow about any coral. I would hate to waste money on something just to have it not work for what I want.

 

[tdileo]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’ll look into the lights you mentioned. Right now I’m just getting started so I’m not sure myself what I want but I know I want something that will grow about any coral. I would hate to waste money on something just to have it not work for what I want.

No problem. I’m not a lighting expert by any means and there are literally hundreds of different fixtures I could use, and they can range from $100 each to $800 each. Lighting is definitely something I wouldn’t skimp out on although it’s probably going to be your most expensive piece of equipment. I saved up for a few months to buy my new lights as an upgrade from the black box LEDs but I never had a problem with them, was just looking for a bit of a better fixture and since I moved to a system 3 times the size of my old one they wouldn’t cut it alone lol

 

[Melinda01]

No problem. I’m not a lighting expert by any means and there are literally hundreds of different fixtures I could use, and they can range from $100 each to $800 each. Lighting is definitely something I wouldn’t skimp out on although it’s probably going to be your most expensive piece of equipment. I saved up for a few months to buy my new lights as an upgrade from the black box LEDs but I never had a problem with them, was just looking for a bit of a better fixture and since I moved to a system 3 times the size of my old one they wouldn’t cut it alone lol

I just decided on 2 of the xr 15s after watching the BRS videos and seeing the rave reviews. Then I could add another if I would need it but it looks like two would be sufficient. I hope so for the price! Using PayPal I have 6 mts to pay without the interest so that helps a lil. I appreciate the help! I want to get some corals up and going soon while the tank is fallow!

 

[tdileo]

I just decided on 2 of the xr 15s after watching the BRS videos and seeing the rave reviews. Then I could add another if I would need it but it looks like two would be sufficient. I hope so for the price! Using PayPal I have 6 mts to pay without the interest so that helps a lil. I appreciate the help! I want to get some corals up and going soon while the tank is fallow!

No problem once again! Honestly I’m surprised you went with the Radions, they’re very pricey but it’s definitely the premium when it comes to LED lighting. Welcome to the addiction of reefing

 

[Melinda01]

No problem once again! Honestly I’m surprised you went with the Radions, they’re very pricey but it’s definitely the premium when it comes to LED lighting. Welcome to the addiction of reefing

Thanks! They are pricy but hopefully they will be worth it and last a long time.