Nano lighting help

[Mhamilton0911]

I'm building a 20g long tank and am confused by the endless options and configurations.

1. How many watts am I looking for? I'd like to be able to grow the beginner stuff, soft corals, zoas, mushrooms.

2. Would prefer led for power consumption, it's an old house so wherever I can use lower wattage I try to.

3. Budget. On a single light, 150ish. But I tossed around the idea of 2 lights, so if I'm doing 2, probably 200-250 for both?

I feel like a 20g long is an awkward size to light, now looking back. Ah well. I'm too far in to look back now, just looking for lemonade now.

Currently using a freshwater light on its blue setting more sand and rock on the way, delivery was supposed to be today, but delayed to Monday.

 

[Arthacker87]

That is a tough order because of the length. They have ai primes 2 would run ya about 300 I believe. Might be better to find a uses set of ai or radion. Watts used to be 3 watts a gallon 5 watts if your doing some higher end stuff but that's a bit different now. Leds penetrate deeper easier. I personally like the radions I have 2 xr15s gen3 and xr30 gen5s. they are nice and, once you get used to the software, very controllable to the color spectrum you want. There are also budget friendly ones like the redsea ones, black boxes, etc. The thing you want is controllable channels. So you dim out white and run more blues for color pop. I used the mars aqua like it, ocean revives I really like, they are pretty decent for the buckage.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

This is a good one and affordable. The brand is more popular in the freshwater planted hobby, but i’ve had good success with them and they are good quality. It’s enough wattage to grow the corals you mention.
Finnex Marine

 

[blasterman]

Two ways to do this: one big long light or two (maybe 3 smaller ones) . It's up to you.

The advantage with smaller lights is you can keep different coral on either side of the tank. In my 20L I grow SPS on one side and grow a zoa farm on the other. Its crazy cool and is over grown on either side. Can't do that with one light.

For a single light on a budget you can get a 300watt Viparspectra for $250 on Amazon that will cover the length of the tank. Its over kill, but you can dim it down. It will need to be hung no lower than 12" above the tank.

For multiple lights on a budget look at the 50watt Nicrews on Amazon.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I would suggest adding whichever LED you prefer one at a time. Put one over the middle and expand over time as you fill in your tank.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Thank you all for quick replies! A good variety of things to research now, thanks!

I was really looking into the 300 watt Viparspectra, but didn't know if it would be too much for the tank, but at the same time, more customization options with separate lights. Hmmm. Lots to consider. I'll take some notes, sleep on it and research more in the morning. A fresh brain is more effective than my tired brain.