Lighting Suggestions For New Reefer

[alex2400]

Hi All - new to reefing here and setting up my first reef tank which will be a Red Sea Reefer Peninsula 500. I plan to keep mostly soft corals and maybe one or two easy LPS corals. Everything I have read says these corals don’t need a lot of PAR. Originally I was considering a pair Kessils A360x or xr15 pros but don’t know if I was over doing it. Does anyone have a suggestion on more budget friendly option that will keep the corals healthy and looking good?

 

[PanchoG]

Both Radions and Kessils are really good. I will add AI Hydras into the mix.

 

[Btreefing]

Hi All - new to reefing here and setting up my first reef tank which will be a Red Sea Reefer Peninsula 500. I plan to keep mostly soft corals and maybe one or two easy LPS corals. Everything I have read says these corals don’t need a lot of PAR. Originally I was considering a pair Kessils A360x or xr15 pros but don’t know if I was over doing it. Does anyone have a suggestion on more budget friendly option that will keep the corals healthy and looking good?

I learned its better to have to much lighting and just turn them down. I use ai 32 and love them

 

[Pistondog]

I had kessil ap700 for 2 years and replaced with orphek. Consider The shimmer and shadows of 'point' sources.
Different looks between kessil and xr15.

 

[Jekyl]

I use 2 kessil 360 on my 90g. Love them. Get the controller with them.

 

[Mono]

A 4ft x 2 ft tank should be pretty easy to light. If you're new, you might want to watch a whole mess of videos on BRS. They do consider lighting from just about every conceivable angle. If you do, you'll be in a much better position to make an informed decision.

It all depends what you mean by "budget."

At the risk of getting flamed, the budget options would be a ViparSpectra or T5 fixture.

After that the sky's the limit.

Most people, not everyone, start out with easier corals/livestock and then gravitate upward to more demanding ones, like acros or clams. Just to keep things confusing, keep that in the back of your mind.

 

[Btreefing]

A 4ft x 2 ft tank should be pretty easy to light. If you're new, you might want to watch a whole mess of videos on BRS. They do consider lighting from just about every conceivable angle. If you do, you'll be in a much better position to make an informed decision.

It all depends what you mean by "budget."

At the risk of getting flamed, the budget options would be a ViparSpectra or T5 fixture.

After that the sky's the limit.

Most people, not everyone, start out with easier corals/livestock and then gravitate upward to more demanding ones, like acros or clams. Just to keep things confusing, keep that in the back of your mind.

I rented a Par reader from BRS and you would be surprised how off the lighting would be.

 

[Mono]

I rented a Par reader from BRS and you would be surprised how off the lighting would be.

Off in what way?

 

[Btreefing]

I watched brs video, set up my AI hydra 32s to there recommendations got the par reader and still were real low. They give you a good starting point and then I used the par reader to dial them in

 

[Rmckoy]

T5’s ...
the only costs will be additional wattage ( lower consumption , heat , replacement bulbs .
but there would be no restrictions to what you can grow in terms of corals .

 

[alex2400]

I must have watched the BRS videos for A306x, Hydras and Radions half a dozen times each. After watching 52 weeks of Reefing and ULM tank trials I finally decided to get a reef tank. Sounds like I should stick with one of those three lighting options. Not really interested in going with T-5s because of aesthetics. Thank you all for the feedback. I am likely going to rent a par meter or buy a seneye to tune in the lights.

 

[Jekyl]

I must have watched the BRS videos for A306x, Hydras and Radions half a dozen times each. After watching 52 weeks of Reefing and ULM tank trials I finally decided to get a reef tank. Sounds like I should stick with one of those three lighting options. Not really interested in going with T-5s because of aesthetics. Thank you all for the feedback. I am likely going to rent a par meter or buy a seneye to tune in the lights.

2 of the ap9x would be really nice for a little more money. The 2 360s on my 90 work fine but 4 would be better.

 

[stephj03]

Have you considered Reefbreeders Photon V2÷. ?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Cheap or expensive? Lol
I like.orphek
Kessil
Tek light
Wavepoint 4 bulb
Even a oddysea 4 bulb will get u going.
-d

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ati. Giessman. Sure theirs other good bulb makers.
D

 

[arking_mark]

2 x Kessil A360x should be enough light for your desired mostly softy tank.

They are not cheap, but so simple to setup that the extra cost might be worth it. Also, with the A500x out, you may be able to pick up some used A360x at a cheaper price.

 

[alex2400]

Thank you for all the feedback!