Lights for a 30 gallon reef tank

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 30, 2020

I have a 30 gallon reef tank and I was using the aqua knight (hipargero 50w ) but it broke and it was not enough light anyways I already wanted to upgrade I’m thinking the SB reef light 18 inch extreme would be the best LED I found I think what would be better LED OR T5 I’ll be able to spend 3-400$ But want to get the best for my tank I’m still really new to the hobby would like some inputs and and some help BTW growing lps and softies plan on adding sps in the future

Spare time · Mar 30, 2020

LED will be cheaper in the long run but t5 can be nice as it is a simple plug and play. I prefer LED. Is it a 30 breeder (30x18x12)?

Slim64684 · Mar 30, 2020

So many tank options. Dimensions would be helpful

Dempsey941 · Mar 30, 2020

2 AI Prime HD/16 should work well

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

Slim64684 said:
So many tank options. Dimensions would be helpful

Yes just a rimmed (30x18x12) have y’all looked at those “sb reef lights “ ? They are supposed to have the best wavelength for growing coral

The Awesome 18" sBox Extreme WiFi Reef LED Light 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

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

Spare time said:
LED will be cheaper in the long run but t5 can be nice as it is a simple plug and play. I prefer LED. Is it a 30 breeder (30x18x12)?

Yes that’s is it sorry I should have said that in the beginning I’m having a hard time not buying that sb after all the hours of endless unsatisfying research

Slim64684 · Mar 31, 2020

A lot of people have success with black boxes. I would be interested in seeing what the power brick rating was. Would give a better idea of true power output.

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

Slim64684 said:
A lot of people have success with black boxes. I would be interested in seeing what the power brick rating was. Would give a better idea of true power output.

Are you calling the “power brick” the driver I would like to know how many watts it pulls from the wall it claims to be 165w @3w / led has anyone tested what these lights actually pull from the wall ? And another question but when you set these strong leds should I buy a lux meter or any other ideas ?

ejl2529 · Mar 31, 2020

Dempsey941 said:
2 AI Prime HD/16 should work well

I agree depending on the size of the tank, prime 16hd have a 24 in spread.

ejl2529 · Mar 31, 2020

ejl2529 said:
I agree depending on the size of the tank, prime 16hd have a 24 in spread.

2 AI prime 16 he would be about 420$ pre tax and shipping in the USA.

Spongking1 · Mar 31, 2020

I have the 75w hipargero and it’s awesome over my biocube. Throws 24”. Super high lighting. But I also have 2 Kessil a80 running on my other 60gal. Those are super great option with gooseneck and controller.

Gernader · Mar 31, 2020

I‘m using a Mars Aqua 165W black box for my 29g tank. It is able to grow any kind of corals, including sps.

Here’s my tank:

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

Gernader said:
I‘m using a Mars Aqua 165W black box for my 29g tank. It is able to grow any kind of corals, including sps.

Here’s my tank:

Wow ... that mars aqua is nice it’s my next choice besides sb reef light do you run it that blue all day long or does it cycle ?

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

ejl2529 said:
2 AI prime 16 he would be about 420$ pre tax and shipping in the USA.

Is that with the mounts ? The AI prime seems over priced to me

Texasnanoreef345 · Mar 31, 2020

Texasnanoreef345 said:
Is that with the mounts ? The AI prime seems over priced to me

I feel like the AI prime is just too square of a light footprint for my tank also

ejl2529 · Mar 31, 2020

Texasnanoreef345 said:
I feel like the AI prime is just too square of a light footprint for my tank also

No I forgot about the mounts that would be another 50$ or so.

Bigdaddy05 · Mar 31, 2020

Gernader said:
I‘m using a Mars Aqua 165W black box for my 29g tank. It is able to grow any kind of corals, including sps.

Here’s my tank:

What do u have Chanel 1 on and channel 2 on and how many hours

Gernader · Mar 31, 2020

Texasnanoreef345 said:
Wow ... that mars aqua is nice it’s my next choice besides sb reef light do you run it that blue all day long or does it cycle ?

Yes, I run at 75% blues and 0% whites. It is mounted 13” above the waterline. The light is connected to an external timer for 7 hours every day.

Gernader · Mar 31, 2020

Bigdaddy05 said:
What do u have Chanel 1 on and channel 2 on and how many hours

I run at 75% blues and 0% whites. It is mounted 13” above the waterline. The light is connected to an external timer for 7 hours every day.

WIReefer · Mar 31, 2020

Texasnanoreef345 said:
I have a 30 gallon reef tank and I was using the aqua knight (hipargero 50w ) but it broke and it was not enough light anyways I already wanted to upgrade I’m thinking the SB reef light 18 inch extreme would be the best LED I found I think what would be better LED OR T5 I’ll be able to spend 3-400$ But want to get the best for my tank I’m still really new to the hobby would like some inputs and and some help BTW growing lps and softies plan on adding sps in the future

I would run a single ai prime he light I have them and there only around $200