Lighting for a 20 long?

[Baby Ray]

I am trying to find a good LED fixture for a 20 long but they are hard to come by. I need something not too expensive but not supper cheap. I have heard some people swear my SB reef lights but I am still on the edge with them. What do you all think about them? Is this light enough for a 20 long (30 inches)?-
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/2-sbox-pro-timer.html

 

[PaReeferJ]

Yes!! I have 2 over my 40b.

 

[Baby Ray]

Yes!! I have 2 over my 40b.

So is the 16 inch enough for a 20 long?

 

[PaReeferJ]

Yes and you will be able to keep anything under those lights.

 

[Baby Ray]

Yes and you will be able to keep anything under those lights.

Thank you!! I will just be keeping softies and some LPS

 

[Baby Ray]

Any other opinions?

 

[Cleo642]

I have a 20 long I will be trying to put together. I have one kessil 160we blue tuna light. And I am going to but another to make sure it's enough light to cover everything.

 

[Baby Ray]

Anyone else out there have an opinion on SB Reef Lights? I am still a little worried a 16 inch can't handle a 20 long.....

 

[PaReeferJ]

@SB Reef Lights

 

[Oldsofty]

For softies and most lps i don't think it would be a problem. I am a firm believer in measuring par after you get your light setup. See if you can get one from someone in your reef club or possibly lfs? I kept softies and lps under pc lights back in the day and they did awesome. But, by measuring with a par meter, you can decide where best to place your corals now and in the future; should you decide to buy some more light hungry corals.

 

[cameronh]

Anyone else out there have an opinion on SB Reef Lights? I am still a little worried a 16 inch can't handle a 20 long.....

It will handle it

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I have a 20 long I will be trying to put together. I have one kessil 160we blue tuna light. And I am going to but another to make sure it's enough light to cover everything.

You'll definitely want two. The spread maxes out at about 24". I have 2 of them and 4 t5 on my 90. Perfect spread.

Glad to see this thread and suggestions for the sb. I'm planning to redo my 20L as well and after all the input may go that route. Anyone actually using the 16" on a 30" tank?

 

[Baby Ray]

Anyone else?

 

[Baby Ray]

Anyone have a 16" SB Reef light on a 20 long?
@SB Reef Lights

 

[Baby Ray]

Nobody?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Nobody?

Hi, nobody here.

Yea any 16in fixture will handle a 30 wide tank. in my opinion. but not well. You have to hang it high up to cover well. A 24in or 30 inch fixture will work better. obviously.

For lower light corals on a shallow tank look at the older version of the current orbit marine. On ebay they are going very cheap used. The new ones have little round lenses and the older ones have square led's. on ebay they both use the word pro. dont be fooled.
The 300w chinese black box or 30 in SBreeflight would be perfect. those are both VERY powerful.
The Maxspect Razor is good too, they make one with three "pucks" or two. The two might not be enough. Kinda pricey if you cant find a used one.

Check the used section here too.

GET a LUX METER. It measures intensity of light , ill gladly help you learn it. It costs $14 on Amazon. It will stop you from boiling the water in the tank
you probably only need 250 par at the top of the tank or 25,000 lux +/-.


Lok at this. Itll help you fit and set your light.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/


BTW I love my SBreeflight.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I agree that the spread may require a height that would possibly effect the par. I have no hands on and have been searching the interwebs for an answer as well. For what it's worth, this is directly from the sb reef site. But, it doesn't state height or what lenses, 90 or 120, it uses in each application.

 

[Tyler Roth]

im using two Sbreeflights on my 120 and LOVE them they grow anything i put in the water!!

 

[Oldsofty]

I will add this tiny bit more....You are much more likely to kill corals with too much light than not enough. These new led light can bleach sps and that's saying something. On the subject of lights, whats good and whats bad, some reefers are loving these chinese blackboxes. Obviously, if u got 1300 bucks the giesemann futura really rocks, but the 100 dollar chinese blackboxes get the job done just fine from what i have heard on reviews. Good luck. Also, whatever you choose, give an update; i would love to hear how your light ended up working for you.

 

[Baby Ray]

What do you think of this light? I know it is 31 inches long but I thought once you account for the edge of the light that doesn't have LEDs on it, it would work out perfect. It is also %65 off -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/261534468394?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
I just want some opinions before I pull the trigger