My Nano Reef Ideas and Lighting.

[Davittio]

Hey Reefers,
I'm in need of some help. I have a nano reef (10gal) that i'm getting ready to start and it's my first reed tank. Ii'm curious on lighting, currently the tank has one of those coralife clip on lights which is fine for the clown I have in the tank but will i need something more powerful? On the box the max PAR is only 50, and I'm wanting to put Zoa's, Toadstool leather, maybe bubble coral, and maybbeee some other polyp's idk yet. Idea is the coral i'm looking to put in are going to be LPS and/or soft corals. I just want to make sure my little guys are going to get ample light, grow well, and of course look great in the house. I also am not looking to break the bank. I know everyone loves Kessel's and T5's but i don't want to spend 200+ on a light if I don't have to. Let me know what yall think, any help is appreciated and thank you in advance!

Water parameters for all those who are going to ask to make sure i don't wreck the coral; pH 8.3, Ammonia, 0 Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Mg 1600 (using instant ocean and res sea test kit) Ca 450, dKH 8.3.
Tanks been running with a black ocellaris clown for 3 months.
Water Change happens once a week

 

[Copingwithpods]

At 50 par you are at the very limit, it will probably just keep the corals alive. The zoas might be ok but even these will struggle for light, specially shallow water species. I have some in my tank that aren't happy unless they are directly under my light getting as much par as my clam, others seam happier on the outer edges getting 100ish par. Lps though will need more than 50. Where too strong a light can kill corals in hours or days not enough light can takes months to do the job. Everything might seam good for weeks even months giving you a false sense of security then one day corals start to die for no reason, they just slowly lose the fight.

Kessils and ai primes would do the job and then some but there are also other affordable options. Black box leds are an option as long as you don't mind less features and lower quality. It's hard to tell you not to spend the $200+ on a good light as it's one of the most important pieces of equipment in a reef but I can certainly understand the budget options.

Something you'll hear alot around here, there are certain things you skimp on and certain things you don't. Up near the top of that list are lights and return pumps.

 

[Davittio]

At 50 par you are at the very limit, it will probably just keep the corals alive. The zoas might be ok but even these will struggle for light, specially shallow water species. I have some in my tank that aren't happy unless they are directly under my light getting as much par as my clam, others seam happier on the outer edges getting 100ish par. Lps though will need more than 50. Where too strong a light can kill corals in hours or days not enough light can takes months to do the job. Everything might seam good for weeks even months giving you a false sense of security then one day corals start to die for no reason, they just slowly lose the fight.

Kessils and ai primes would do the job and then some but there are also other affordable options. Black box leds are an option as long as you don't mind less features and lower quality. It's hard to tell you not to spend the $200+ on a good light as it's one of the most important pieces of equipment in a reef but I can certainly understand the budget options.

Something you'll hear alot around here, there are certain things you skimp on and certain things you don't. Up near the top of that list are lights and return pumps.

Yeah i knew my current light wasn't going to cut it. Doing some research it looks like the corals I'm interested in are in the 100-300 par range and 10-14 Kelvin lights.
Was hoping to find something affordable but if it has to be done than it has to be done. That's why I wanted to get input on here, before i begin to buy and add coral to the tank....Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

What would you consider affordable? Pick up a used Kessil a80 and you're looking at a name brand light for less than $100. Inappropriate Reefer has maintained a solid 10 gallon aquarium with the $70 AquaKnight light for years now.

 

[Davittio]

What would you consider affordable? Pick up a used Kessil a80 and you're looking at a name brand light for less than $100. Inappropriate Reefer has maintained a solid 10 gallon aquarium with the $70 AquaKnight light for years now.

Anywhere from $50-$100 is where i would like to stay, If i have to go beyond it I will just because I want to do a reef and my 10gal was made for it, I will take a look at both lights you mentioned, thank you!