Nano lighting help?

[justjes45]

Hi – I am new to this hobby and I'm not sure I have bought the correct light. Both the first time, and then when I upgraded the second time.
I started with the "Current orbit marine pro light" The first one the LFS sold me was just blues and whites. I thought I had explained that I wanted to do different types of reef corals and they felt that this was what I needed.
The second try was also a light by "Current", but this one was full spectrum.
I have a 30 gallon nano reef tank. This new light hangs over each side of the tank does not stand up on the brackets as it is designed to. It puts off a very uneven light and whereas the corals that I have seem to be doing fine and growing, there are dark areas in my tank.
What are you all running for lights, and if you have a Nano especially what do you have and do you like it?

 

[Tahoe61]

I run the AI Hydra 52 on a 30, it took me a couple months to dial it in and learn the ins and outs but I like it very much. Spread is pretty good, it's mounted on one their rack. I really have no complaints.

 

[Joeganja]

Hi – I am new to this hobby and I'm not sure I have bought the correct light. Both the first time, and then when I upgraded the second time.
I started with the "Current orbit marine pro light" The first one the LFS sold me was just blues and whites. I thought I had explained that I wanted to do different types of reef corals and they felt that this was what I needed.
The second try was also a light by "Current", but this one was full spectrum.
I have a 30 gallon nano reef tank. This new light hangs over each side of the tank does not stand up on the brackets as it is designed to. It puts off a very uneven light and whereas the corals that I have seem to be doing fine and growing, there are dark areas in my tank.
What are you all running for lights, and if you have a Nano especially what do you have and do you like it?

For a 30 gallon depending on if you want leds Aquaillumination are the best bang for your buck and look amazing. I have 2 hydra 26s on my 90 gallon and they blow up the tank. Also Aquaillumination is coming out with a feature where you can add more than 100% to certain LEDs when others aren't used. Let's say you use 0% on reds and greens. You can then transfer that energy to instead of 100% blue to 125% blue they are awesome lights!

 

[justjes45]

OK – today my aquarium project that I am tackling is to improve my lighting. I have done a ton of reading here and now I'm overwhelmed. I have looked on Amazon and eBay and other websites and the lights seem to range from $79-$600 – I already have purchased two different lights by "Current" and I am not sure. If they have been the best lighting choice for my tank. I do not want to be limited by what types of corals I can have. Some websites say the lights are too bright don't burn the corals… Other ones need a full spectrum T5 (I'm not even sure what that is)..
Maybe I am just not programming my lights correctly. Does anybody have this light on a tank now?
I had also heard of a light that mimics Moonpatterns on your GPS location?
Sigh... I need to narrow this down!
Too many toys!!
[emoji13]

 

[justjes45]

Bump?

 

[nanoman28g]

Bump?

What are the dimensions of your tank? You want a light that will grow anything right?

 

[justjes45]

Yes anything and everything! The dimensions are 20 x 19 x 13". This is what the fish have to swim in and there is a black section at the back.

 

[LetItReef]

look into Ocean Revive

 

[GoingPostal]

You can do halides, t5's or leds, so you need to decide what appeals to you and go from there. When I was looking for leds for my twenty gallon it seems that AI, Razor, Radions and Kessils were the most popular used but there are tons of options to consider. I went with a nanobox duo, it has a controller like you asked about, that does dusk/dawn/weather patterns, it's a feature available with quite a few lights.

 

[spartanman22]

I have used both Ocean Revive (T247) and Kessil (A350). I like both of them very much. For the price point Ocean Revive is fantastic and I've actually decided to go with those and T5's over the kessils on my 80 gallon upgrade. But both will certainly grow any coral. For example I have a Blue Gig and several SPS low in my tank (~24") from the OR-T247 and get good growth and color with the whites and blues at only 30%/25% respectively.