Lights for 5 gallon pico reef

[I<3Reefer]

So I ended up picking up a small Birdsnest and Monti Cap frag to add to my (prior to these additions) LPS pico reef. I have a Fluval Evo 5, and the light is 11,000 kelvin and 10 watts... They look ok, but I want to get a light that REALLY has the coral colors POPPING.... What light should I get for the tank? The dimmensions are 20" wide 11.5" tall and 7.5" deep. The top of my rock is probably 5-6 inches from the top of the tank and my birdsnest at it's tallest is probably 3-4 inches from the top of the tank.

I was looking at the Kessil A80, would that be sufficient? Are there better lights?

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I ended up picking up a small Birdsnest and Monti Cap frag to add to my (prior to these additions) LPS pico reef. I have a Fluval Evo 5, and the light is 11,000 kelvin and 10 watts... They look ok, but I want to get a light that REALLY has the coral colors POPPING.... What light should I get for the tank? The dimmensions are 20" wide 11.5" tall and 7.5" deep. The top of my rock is probably 5-6 inches from the top of the tank and my birdsnest at it's tallest is probably 3-4 inches from the top of the tank.

I was looking at the Kessil A80, would that be sufficient? Are there better lights?

The Kessil A80 would work for that tank more for softies and LPS, but if you're going to start getting into SPS i'd opt for the A160 instead That way when you upgrade later on down the road you can still utilize it

 

[I<3Reefer]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion! I do want to make sure the SPS have their colors highlighted and the light increases their growth too. I want to upgrade to a larger tank in the next year or 2 so it would be nice to utilize a light on a later tank.... That 160 is pretty expensive though at $240.... You don't think it would be too much for my tank? What about the stock light I have and the kessil a80? Or would that increase the heat too much?

 

[gcarroll]

Might want to also consider the AI Prime.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion! I do want to make sure the SPS have their colors highlighted and the light increases their growth too. I want to upgrade to a larger tank in the next year or 2 so it would be nice to utilize a light on a later tank.... That 160 is pretty expensive though at $240.... You don't think it would be too much for my tank? What about the stock light I have and the kessil a80? Or would that increase the heat too much?

It would probably be to much for your tank if you turned the intensity up all the way, but luckily they can be dialed back. And as far as expense, in my opinion its better to spend less now then to spend more later on. So if you get the Kessil A80 for 130 now and then upgrade to a bigger light such as the A160 or A360 which are 240-250, you've now invested $380 total instead of just the 240 if you would have started out with the A160 that you can then transfer to your upgrade later on

 

[tdileo]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion! I do want to make sure the SPS have their colors highlighted and the light increases their growth too. I want to upgrade to a larger tank in the next year or 2 so it would be nice to utilize a light on a later tank.... That 160 is pretty expensive though at $240.... You don't think it would be too much for my tank? What about the stock light I have and the kessil a80? Or would that increase the heat too much?

A80 will suffice for SPS that are not acropora. Montis, pocillipora, birdsnest, etc will be okay. I would definitely shoot for the A160 if you can because the extra power would be greatly beneficial and you can run it at like 60% instead of the A80 near max. However the A80 would definitely be okay to use.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Might want to also consider the AI Prime.

This would be a good choice as well, and you can transfer it to your upgrade later on

 

[I<3Reefer]

I just read an article comparing the Kessil A160 and the AI PRime.... it seems their conclusion was... not really much of a conclusion.... If the popping of colors matters more to me than overall growth... which would you suggest? It seems the AI has more color options...

 

[Crabs McJones]

I just read an article comparing the Kessil A160 and the AI PRime.... it seems their conclusion was... not really much of a conclusion.... If the popping of colors matters more to me than overall growth... which would you suggest? It seems the AI has more color options...

Prime gives you more control to the color output, the kessil doesn't let you add in colors, its literally blue to white.

 

[I<3Reefer]

So would the prime allow my red monti and purple/pink birdnest to pop more?

 

[Crabs McJones]

So would the prime allow my red monti and purple/pink birdnest to pop more?

Absolutely. The prime gives you control to add in royal blue and uv channels, which is what gives corals their pop. Kessils light has this as well, but you don't get the control over it that you do with the AI.

 

[I<3Reefer]

Right on, sounds like the Prime may be the winner, thanks!

 

[I<3Reefer]

One more question pertaining to my current light which came with the fluval evo (11,000 kelvin/ 10 watts)... How do you think my monti and birdsnest will do with it? An employee at my lfs seems to think they'll be fine, but I know he's not one of the senior members.

 

[lbacha]

Monti's especially monti caps will do ok in lower light. They may not be as colorful, birdnest do like more light but they are pretty forgiving as well. Water flow is probably more important to both of them. Something else to remember is more light can lead to algae as well so make sure you are ready for it when you upgrade your tank

 

[Ranjib]

A80 . I have couple of pico tanks , they look stunning under a80.
Ai prime is good too. I find a bit more purple.
If you want bunch of good leds and durability ai prime is good. If you want a 15 watt sun. Then go with a80