Lighting

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

I purchased a 24" LED light (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/50-50-tech-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html). Do you think this is suitable for coral?

sbash · Mar 21, 2019

Kind of. Reef-brite doesn't really share technical details on their fixtures so it is hard to speak for it exactly. BUT, this should be 50% white and 50% blue light, so it should grow some corals. I wouldn't put acros or torts under it, but softies, some lps and maybe even a monti would work.

Try it out, start slow and don't get anything too fancy until you know what will grow under the lights. This fixture could be pretty bright for a shallow tank, so be sure to acclimate corals to the light slowly.

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

sbash said:
Kind of. Reef-brite doesn't really share technical details on their fixtures so it is hard to speak for it exactly. BUT, this should be 50% white and 50% blue light, so it should grow some corals. I wouldn't put acros or torts under it, but softies, some lps and maybe even a monti would work.

Try it out, start slow and don't get anything too fancy until you know what will grow under the lights. This fixture could be pretty bright for a shallow tank, so be sure to acclimate corals to the light slowly.

Would these be okay?

https://aquariumdepot.com/glove-polyps/

https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/2670/?pcatid=2670

Coralreefer1 · Mar 21, 2019

In my opinion, I would go with something better. Lighting is one of those areas where you get what you pay for and don’t want to take a short cut by buying a cheap light. Remember, coral growth, to some degree, coloration in fish and corals are reflected in your light(PAR, PUR, Kelvin, CRI).
How big is your tank?
Look into AI Prime HD lights!

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

Coralreefer1 said:
In my opinion, I would go with something better. Lighting is one of those areas where you get what you pay for and don’t want to take a short cut by buying a cheap light. Remember, coral growth, to some degree, coloration in fish and corals are reflected in your light(PAR, PUR, Kelvin, CRI).
How big is your tank?
Look into AI Prime HD lights!

I have a 20 gallon tank. I don't really want to invest in such an expensive light when I have such a tiny tank. I'd rather do that once I get a bigger tank. Besides, I don't believe I can return the light at this point. Do you think this light would work for these?

https://aquariumdepot.com/glove-polyps/

https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/2670/?pcatid=2670

sbash · Mar 21, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Would these be okay?

https://aquariumdepot.com/glove-polyps/

https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/2670/?pcatid=2670

The glove polyps (I call them clove polyps) would likely be okay, they are a nice accent to most tanks. I have had cloves in high and low light and they seem just fine. Work your way up to the duncan though, I find them temperamental in new tanks. You may want to add one of the Reef-Brite blue bars to bring out the colours.

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

sbash said:
The glove polyps (I call them clove polyps) would likely be okay, they are a nice accent to most tanks. I have had cloves in high and low light and they seem just fine. Work your way up to the duncan though, I find them temperamental in new tanks. You may want to add one of the Reef-Brite blue bars to bring out the colours.

Thanks! So something like this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/actinic-blue-lumi-lite-pro-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html

Jekyl · Mar 21, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Thanks! So something like this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/actinic-blue-lumi-lite-pro-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html

Send it back and just get a light from Marsaqua. They will be good enough to transfer to a larger tank and still cheap

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

Jekyl said:
Send it back and just get a light from Marsaqua. They will be good enough to transfer to a larger tank and still cheap

MARS AQUA 300W Led Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Reef Light Led Saltwater Aquarium Lighting for Coral Fish Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS (MarsAqua Dimmable 300W) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GX73YY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_E98KCb1FDSHX2

Is this okay?

Jvesche20 · Mar 21, 2019

I had the same question a few days ago. I asked brs if this would be good enough to be used on its own and they said no. It should be used to complement other lights such as t5.

Jekyl · Mar 21, 2019

That's because BRS doesn't sell them. LFS by me with 50000 gallons and every coral you can think of only uses them. I'm using 2 of the 165w on my 90 gallon. Run them at 30% white, 80% blue

Jvesche20 · Mar 21, 2019

Jekyl said:
That's because BRS doesn't sell them. LFS by me with 50000 gallons and every coral you can think of only uses them. I'm using 2 of the 165w on my 90 gallon. Run them at 30% white, 80% blue

I was talking about this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/50-50-tech-led-strip-light-reef-brite.html

I think we are talking about 2 different lights

Jekyl · Mar 21, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
MARS AQUA 300W Led Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Reef Light Led Saltwater Aquarium Lighting for Coral Fish Tank Blue and White LPS/SPS (MarsAqua Dimmable 300W) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017GX73YY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_E98KCb1FDSHX2

Is this okay?

Get the 165

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

Jekyl said:
Get the 165

Will the 165W work for a bigger tank? What happens if I get the 300W?

Jekyl · Mar 21, 2019

I'm using 2 of the 165w for my 4'x18"x24". Can always add more if then later to suit you. Check the size, the 300w may be too big for what you have now

Bouncingsoul39 · Mar 21, 2019

Either the Mars Aqua or the Vipar Spectra are both better options, the 165 watt models, will be plenty for your tank. Between those two, I like the Vipar better. They are very strong, so you'll actually need to dial down their strength to the minimum initially so you don't shock the coral with too much light. That thing you got from BRS is not ideal for lighting a coral reef aquarium.

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

Jekyl said:
I'm using 2 of the 165w for my 4'x18"x24". Can always add more if then later to suit you. Check the size, the 300w may be too big for what you have now

I think I'd rather get the 300W and get this: AquaticLife Universal Light Fixture Hanger For T5/HO LED Hybrid (Single)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/AquaticLi...-Hanger-For-T5-HO-LED-Hybrid-Single/349352311 . This way I don't need to purchase a new light if I decide to get a bigger tank.

SinkyShippy · Mar 21, 2019

Bouncingsoul39 said:
Either the Mars Aqua or the Vipar Spectra are both better options, the 165 watt models, will be plenty for your tank. Between those two, I like the Vipar better. They are very strong, so you'll actually need to dial down their strength to the minimum initially so you don't shock the coral with too much light. That thing you got from BRS is not ideal for lighting a coral reef aquarium.

Do you think it would be better to go with the 300W so I don't need to purchase a new light when I decide to get a bigger tank? I can just turn down the strength.

Jvesche20 · Mar 21, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Do you think it would be better to go with the 300W so I don't need to purchase a new light when I decide to get a bigger tank? I can just turn down the strength.

Thats what I would do

Bouncingsoul39 · Mar 21, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Do you think it would be better to go with the 300W so I don't need to purchase a new light when I decide to get a bigger tank? I can just turn down the strength.

It's an option to consider. Over a longer tank, I would probably run two 165w over one 300w for a little better coverage on the ends. Is the tank a 20 long or a 20 high? Well, for either, the 300w will be longer than the tank, so your going to have a bit of light outside the tank which could annoy some people depending on where the tank is located in your home.