Light advice, new tank

[ImDusky]

Hi Guys,

Had to sell my 80 gal tank 3 years ago and I'm back in business for a new build now.
Bought the tank yesterday, custom built 60X60X40 centimeter tank. Back 10 centimeters is for the overflow so got an effective +- 30 gal tall tank.
But now I need some lights for it. Havent been reefing for 3 years so I've forgot quite a bit and don't know the newest lights.

Any light that you guys would advice me?
Would want to keep some softies,stylopora and probably a BTA ( after a year or longer).
Happy to read any advice.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve ought a few brands ... Not sure what available on that side of the Atlantic but I’m sure Kessils are. BRS just finished LED testing.
My Kessil 360’s & 350 are old; no rust, no issues.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Well, some more information of what you value in a light is needed to provide a recommendation really I.e what’s most important to you (coral health and growth/controllability of the light/color and pop/price etc)?

For example: if you just want the best light for your corals I tend to think that a halide/T5 hybrid still reigns supreme. The downside is heat, poor controllability and bulb replacement (is you count that as a negative).

 

[ImDusky]

I would prefer leds if possible, just for the huge difference in electricity costs etc.
I do prefer coral health. I've only ever had those chinese black boxes for my other reef, wifi controlable. They did work quite well, had some thriving stylopora back then, but those 165W boxes are a big overkill for my smaller tank now.

 

[ImDusky]

Can I pick you guys brain again?
Looking at SB reef lights or a chinese blackbox.
Isn't 165W a massive overkill for a 30 gal tank?
Sb reef lights 9" light looks promising, but maybe too small? DOn't want to buy new lights in a year. So would like 1 that will be enough fo rmy future needs of stylo in the tank. Anemones are the most important tho.
What led wattage should I be shooting for approx?

 

[Bpb]

They don’t run at a true 165 watts. That is a nominal rating. Basically the max capacity of all the diodes. The drivers actually run between 100-120 watts typically. You also likely won’t run it full strength. The purpose of over sizing the lights a bit is to run them cooler which will make them last longer

 

[nereefpat]

Isn't 165W a massive overkill for a 30 gal tank?

I wouldn't say so. Lot's of folks use them on 40 breeders. And you can raise the fixture and dim them.

Other LED options would be AI Prime, or Kessil, or Radion...Or better yet, AI Hydra, or Noopsych k7.

Other good options would be T5 fixture with 4-6 bulbs... or a single MH, like a 150 watt 14K phoenix.