Let's hear your lightning ideas for a 35 gal cube

CarolinaReefs · Mar 20, 2015

Hi Folks,

I am setting up a 35 Gal cube, 20 x 20 x 20
I am looking to set it up primarily for zoas.

Please give me some recommendations on lighting for this tank.
I was thinking about a 2 foot T5 fixture but it will overhang the tank by a couple of inches.

Let me know some of your thoughts, and include pics of a similar setup if possible.

maroun.c · Mar 20, 2015

Maybe one of the nano LEDs which will give nicer colors for zoos than T5.
Reef Radiance, RAzor or the AI prime...

CarolinaReefs · Mar 20, 2015

Do you have any experience with them?

AdamNC · Mar 20, 2015

The Razors do good for my sps, lips and zoas when finally dialed in correctly. For a 20" tank I'd go with the 120w 16k. The actual size is I think 21'5" so the legs could not be used, you'd have to hang it.

jman9331 · Mar 20, 2015

AdamNC said:
The Razors do good for my sps, lips and zoas when finally dialed in correctly. For a 20" tank I'd go with the 120w 16k. The actual size is I think 21'5" so the legs could not be used, you'd have to hang it.

+1 on this I will be getting these for my 75 gal. pricey but they are great

CarolinaReefs · Mar 20, 2015

Thanks for the input. I looked up the AI's and it looks like the Prime is new and not released yet and I am familiar with the razor fixtures although I have not seen one in person. I have Kessil A360WE's on my 75 gallon and although I love the lights, it is still too early to tell if my corals are loving them. :bigsmile: I really thought about a Kessil for this tank but I cannot find anyone that is really having proven success with them. I may go T5's or I may not and since I have my main tank up, I'm not really in a big hurry to get the small tank going. Not to mention it is still cycling with 3-4 weeks left to go and no sump yet.

WyomingWhites84 · Mar 21, 2015

One of the Kessil pendants would do the trick

maroun.c · Mar 21, 2015

CarolinaReefs said:
Do you have any experience with them?

I'm running Razor 160 on one of my Frag tanks and happy with it. The AI will have more controlability and more colors for a bit more price. If you can raise them a bit I believe one should be enough for your tank as it's only Zoos.
I'm running two Orphek Par 38 on my 20x20x16 and they're fine. One of them failed few weeks back and might try the reefradiance , simply cause the nano is in my basement and not seen so don't care about changing colors throughout the day...