Light suggestions for a 60 cube

[MinorDilemma]

I'm currently in the prosses of putting a 60 cube reef tank together but I'm not sure which light to choose. the plan is to make it a mixed reef tank and I'd would like to go with an LED light and if possible under $600 . I really wanted to do something like a t5 hybrid setup with a kessil a360x but I'm trying to avoid a high energy cost if possible.

 

[blaxsun]

Radion G5 XR15.

 

[nereefpat]

I really wanted to do something like a t5 hybrid setup with a kessil a360x

That would be a good option.

but I'm trying to avoid a high energy cost if possible.

That really isn't that much wattage. 2 x 24" T5 bulbs are only 48 total watts. You could run them about 6 hours a day, and run the Kessil for as long as you want your viewing. 6 hours a day of those T5s would only cost me less than a dollar a month in electricity for just the T5s. Your electrical rate may vary of course.

 

[Lavey29]

Radion G5 XR15.

Not sure one would be enough for a 60? Maybe one XR30?

 

[polyppal]

What are your high par coral goals? 360 would prob be sufficient on its own

 

[ZombieEngineer]

Depends on what kind of coral you want to grow. This is what a XR30 G4 gives on that exact tank at 50% or an XR15 at 100% AB+ mode. A hydra 64 would at 50% would be similar.

This is plenty to grow a little SPS up top and LPS/softies all over. If you want more than just a sprinkling of SPS, you need something comparable to a radion XR30, hydra 64 etc.

 

[oreo54]

I'm currently in the prosses of putting a 60 cube reef tank together but I'm not sure which light to choose. the plan is to make it a mixed reef tank and I'd would like to go with an LED light and if possible under $600 . I really wanted to do something like a t5 hybrid setup with a kessil a360x but I'm trying to avoid a high energy cost if possible.

You're referring to a 24x24x24 tank correct?
Anyways you have from Black boxes to AI primes to GHL Mitras and Radions.

In your budget make sure you include the "add ons" some lights may require for your goals.
also note, as stated above, if you prefer a "color" that will also determine the level of light wattage.
See what a 55W AI Prime is capable of..the pretty much lowest power of the lot.

a t5 hybrid 4 tube is cheap and using say an ai prime is within budget.

24" G2 T5HO Hybrid LED T5 Mounting System BLACK w/End Caps - Aquatic Life

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

Around 155watts total but using mostly the t5's for growth (2x the output of the ai prime)

Alternate 2 ai primes would be 110W at FULL.



You need to determine your exact wants/needs
As with any thing I usually look hard at the "underdogs" like the reefi UNo.
Be sure to check out the nice chart since it lists a lot of the lights you maybe considering. Does not include the GHL Mitras but out of your price point or black boxes which are cheap but fairly inefficient):

ReeFi® LED Uno – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

https://www.reefi-lab.com/wp351/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ReeFi_Uno_comparisons-scaled.jpg


Every light has it's own plusses and minuses for you to ponder.

Consider this a LIST of things not a recommendation..
And of course a bunch of "off brands" like Smatfarms or Popbloom.

 

[Markreed84]

I went with an xr15 and a reef brite xho k30 kit (I had to DIY it to the xr15 as it's designed for the xr30). My spread and par across the tank from top to bottom is awesome ( 200 at bottom, 500-600 at top at 100%, at 80% it's about 180 at the bottom and 450 at the top). A k15 would be good as well just less par. Much better value than an xr30 and better spread, far less shadowing.