Lighting for a 75g

Jekyl · Mar 22, 2021

Check par readings on the lights you're looking into. Anemone and sps usually need a minimum of 200 or so.

Aparker2005 · Mar 23, 2021

I think I found exactly what we're looking for after doing more research. The Fluval Marine 3.0.

Wondering if I should get 2 48" models for our eventual more demanding corals.

anthonygf · Mar 23, 2021

Aparker2005 said:
I think I found exactly what we're looking for after doing more research. The Fluval Marine 3.0.

Wondering if I should get 2 48" models for our eventual more demanding corals.

Those Fluval's not enough wattage. Get 2 viparspectra 165w for each 24" section of tank. I use a use a coat hanger/rack on wheels that I modified to hang my lights. I had a vipar 300 watt 2 years ago before I upgraded to Kessils. You can swing lights out of the way when needed for tank maintenance. First pic was 4 years ago before upgrading to 75 last year. The second on 75 with 2 Kessil 360we and a just purchased Cobalt C-Ray 200 which cost $800 new, found a deal on ebay and bought 2 (new but older model) for 350 each. I now have a plasitc vine with flowers wrapped around the coat rack. My total wattage with this setup is close to 400 watts. Good luck with yours.

anthonygf · Mar 23, 2021

The Kessil's are now hanging with wire instead of the arms.

Aparker2005 · Mar 23, 2021

And what about these SB Reef 45" lights? These seem much better than the Fluval

The Awesome 45" sBox Pro Timer for your Saltwater Aquarium

Not all black boxes are created equal! We will put our growth rates and coral color up against any saltwater or reef LED lights

sbreeflights.com

anthonygf · Mar 23, 2021

Aparker2005 said:
And what about these SB Reef 45" lights? These seem much better than the Fluval

The Awesome 45" sBox Pro Timer for your Saltwater Aquarium

Not all black boxes are created equal! We will put our growth rates and coral color up against any saltwater or reef LED lights

sbreeflights.com

Yes they are better. The mounting legs look like for rimless tanks. Do you have a plastic rim with black plastic center brace? That may block some of the light. That is why 2 separate units might be better. They are similar to viparspectra.

nereefpat · Mar 23, 2021

Yes, SB would be a much better choice.

piranhaman00 · Mar 23, 2021

What about t5s?

Aparker2005 · Mar 23, 2021

Black trim, center brace on this tank. Wife loves the Fluval, but if even 2 won't work, might as well not waste money.

We may can do some bracket hanging from the wall and the hooks for the lights. We love our timer on our nicrew that allows the blues and whites to have different intensities and times to come on and off between the 2 colors.

nereefpat · Mar 23, 2021

The problem with the Fluval 3.0 is that it's only 59 watts at full power over a 48" fixture, and it's over 200 dollars. That just isn't very much bang for your buck, and it isn't enough light for most corals. They must be made for shallow soft coral tanks or fish only tanks. Really, they probably just took their freshwater light and changed the color a bit. Sure, you could put multiple fixtures on to get better coverage and PAR up top. I wouldn't do it that way, though.

nereefpat · Mar 23, 2021

Aparker2005 said:
We love our timer on our nicrew that allows the blues and whites to have different intensities and times to come on and off between the 2 colors.

Black boxes will have that option, in that you can switch on/off completely the white and blue channel separately btw.

Aparker2005 · Mar 23, 2021

Ok about to place an order I think for 2 Ocean Revive Arctic T247. These seem to be well reviewed on the forums

reefinatl · Mar 23, 2021

$300 or less for a new guy I vote get some used halides or t5 setup. They just simply work, you don't need ramp up, ramp down and chasing par numbers with all the other challenges of a new tank. LED is awesome and is the future but KISS for the first year or two.

taulgrl · Apr 5, 2021

Aparker2005 said:
Ok about to place an order I think for 2 Ocean Revive Arctic T247. These seem to be well reviewed on the forums

Could you please report how things go? I'm just getting started and in the same situation as you. I've ordered 1 NICREW 100W to play with while in the "no lights" phase of my setup (couldn't order a second but plan to if I like them) and hadn't seen the T247s. Like you, I plan to do Soft and LPS and don't want to wall mount / hang from ceiling!

Aparker2005 · Apr 5, 2021

taulgrl said:
Could you please report how things go? I'm just getting started and in the same situation as you. I've ordered 1 NICREW 100W to play with while in the "no lights" phase of my setup (couldn't order a second but plan to if I like them) and hadn't seen the T247s. Like you, I plan to do Soft and LPS and don't want to wall mount / hang from ceiling!

Will do!