Lighting

Jayrock93 · Mar 26, 2022

So I have a 65 k light for my 40 gallon breeder I have some coral and fish the light is adjustable and I have no clue what I should be adjusting this thing to

minorhero · Mar 26, 2022

Try the auto feature.

Jayrock93 · Mar 26, 2022

I feel like the auto feature is way to bright for my tank it's blinding

dedragon · Mar 26, 2022

what light fixture is this?

Jayrock93 · Mar 26, 2022

It's a fluval smart 65 k

dedragon · Mar 26, 2022

Oh easy answer then, place that light fixture either on a planted tank or in the trash. JK but that light isnt suited for corals at all, you will need to buy a different light to use along side that fluval one or just throw the fluval one away entirely, unless going for super low light corals and also probably dealing with a lot of algae issues

dedragon · Mar 26, 2022

a couple of good lights that are cheaper are Orphek OR3 bars (2 at least for medium light corals), smatfarms, noopsyche.
There are more expensive lights as well if you want higher priced alternatives, they usually come with better control or overall build quality but the ones i listed above are all great.
The cheapest would be a vipar spectra and people swear by them but i hate the color separation and potential fire hazard

Jayrock93 · Mar 26, 2022

dedragon said:
Oh easy answer then, place that light fixture either on a planted tank or in the trash. JK but that light isnt suited for corals at all, you will need to buy a different light to use along side that fluval one or just throw the fluval one away entirely, unless going for super low light corals and also probably dealing with a lot of algae issues

Omg I just spent 250$ on it but thanks for the honesty bro I'll take it back and just order one what's the best around 250$ range?

dedragon · Mar 26, 2022

For 36" i think the only one in that budget is 2 smatfarms leds, solid lights and more and more people have been using them. Noopsyche are a bit stronger but slightly more expensive. Orphek would be the highest build quality (good branded led chips and drivers) but would cost the most out of the three.
Nicrew is another to consider but i tend to stay away from led chips spaced so far away unless they are using a full fixture optical lens (ie radion)

Jayrock93 · Mar 26, 2022

dedragon said:
For 36" i think the only one in that budget is 2 smatfarms leds, solid lights and more and more people have been using them. Noopsyche are a bit stronger but slightly more expensive. Orphek would be the highest build quality (good branded led chips and drivers) but would cost the most out of the three.
Nicrew is another to consider but i tend to stay away from led chips spaced so far away unless they are using a full fixture optical lens (ie radion)

Awesome thanks bro!!