Lights Percentage

[TOMMYHP]

Hi everyone, I’m new in the hobby, I just started a nano reef aquarium 8 gallon Lifegard tank with a nicrew clip on light 10 watts. I have 2 clowns, zhoas, hammer, palis, mushrooms, Duncan and just added a bta nem. I’m doing 100% blues and 10% whites.
I would like to know if the percentage of light is correct or if I would have to make a change.

Thanks,

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Your tank is not stable enough yet for a nem or for most of those corals; be prepared for the possibility some of them won't do well. You want at least the upper part of the tank to get at least ~150-200 PAR -- I doubt a 10 watt light will get any close to that. Sounds like you have a refugium light on the main tank...?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Percentage of blues to whites is largely subjective. Most lights marketed to reef hobbyists will deliver appropriate light regardless of the color spectrum you prefer. If you like the color of the light at those levels, they are fine (assuming the light is strong enough, as mentioned in my last post)

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Here's info from the light's description...

"Especially design for 2.5 - 5 gallon nano reef tanks. It is suitable for saltwater fish, live rocks and low-light soft corals"

You'll need a better light to keep the corals you have (not to mention the nem) alive.

 

[coralboi56]

It all depends on your PAR levels. That being said, I would go with a more trusted brand. Nicrew is a big brand, but their lights are more for aesthetics instead of purpose. I have a very similar tank (The Lifeguard 7.4 peninsula) and have a Red Sea 50 on it. Lighting can be a very expensive thing, but it's also arguably the most essential thing for a reef

 

[steveschuerger]

ReefBreeders makes very good lights and their second generation pico light would be perfect for an 8 gallon tank I would think.

 

[TOMMYHP]

I have these two options, which one would you recommend?

 

[The_Paradox]

I have these two options, which one would you recommend?

Go to the higher wattage Hipargero. I have 5 of the 100w ones and they are great and scale. I also have the one you linked to and the light itself is ok but programming is stupid. It does not have a battery and programming is limited to 12h blocks. As for the Nicrew you posted, it is woefully underpowered.

 

[TOMMYHP]

Go to the higher wattage Hipargero. I have 5 of the 100w ones and they are great and scale. I also have the one you linked to and the light itself is ok but programming is stupid. It does not have a battery and programming is limited to 12h blocks. As for the Nicrew you posted, it is woefully underpowered.

I just got the hipargero 30watts, cause the $$ so the percentage will be???

 

[The_Paradox]

I just got the hipargero 30watts, cause the $$ so the percentage will be???

I wouldn’t start out any higher than 40% since you have corals used to pretty low light. From there dial it up 10% a week until you see best results or find it most aesthetically pleasing.

 

[TOMMYHP]

So start with 40% blues and 0% whites??? I don’t want to bleach my corals

 

[The_Paradox]

So start with 40% blues and 0% whites??? I don’t want to bleach my corals

That’s up to you how much white/blue you want. Your corals are pretty hard to bleach. Give 40/20 a shot for a week and judge response.

 

[TOMMYHP]

That’s up to you how much white/blue you want. Your corals are pretty hard to bleach. Give 40/20 a shot for a week and judge response.

Thanks