New lighting for 75 gallon mixed reef

[nicks8201]

Hey everyone I need some advice I have a 75 gallon reef tank and at the moment I have zoas, torch, hammer, blasto, Xenia, and 4 gorgonians. Using a USA current Loop lighting. I want to upgrade the lighting to help the corals. Not looking to spend a ton. I was looking at the Kessil A80 and 160 i like the shimmer, if I got them how many would I need and will I need to get a T5 with it. Any advice will help doesn’t have to be Kessil I’m open to anything as long as I’m not spending close to 1,000 lol

 

[Spare time]

A80 is way too weak. You would need 2 A360w for that size.


Alternately, there are many budget options like the nicrew hyper reef 100w. 2 of those would work

 

[nicks8201]

Would that help the corals grow or am I going to be in the same boat as my current loop

 

[WIReefer]

I would just buy a ati t5 sunpower will be set then! Love my sunpower!

 

[Waffen06]

Look at a reef breeders 48 v2+

 

[Spare time]

Would that help the corals grow or am I going to be in the same boat as my current loop

They are much stronger. The amazon page shows you the par with both channels at 100%. Another option is the ocean revive but unless you hang the light you have to get creative with mounting. Also, you could go with a SB Reef Light. Those are pretty cheap too!


However, I will say the kessils are super pretty if you wanted to go for the a360we.

 

[nereefpat]

I agree that you don't want the Kessil A80s. That's a pico tank light. The 160s would work, but you would need 3-4 of them to cover the 4' tank. Two of the 360 (Wide angle) would probably cover fairly well, especially if you aren't growing SPS sticks.

The cheapest option, but still effective for growing coral, would be a couple 'black box' type LEDs like Marsaqua/viparspectra, etc.

Are you set on LEDs? Because a 4-6 bulb T5 fixture OR a couple MH pendants would be set and forget, and allow you to grow anything.

 

[ApoIsland]

Look at a reef breeders 48 v2+

This is an ok light. Visually it's just too dim and purple for my taste. Color of most of my corals is better than the Chinese black boxes I had prior, but the growth is not even close to as good. Currently debating about switching back because the color of the fish is soo much better and I get much better growth under the black boxes. I have it on my 4x2 120g and had to add two supplemental light bars for coverage.

Two of the black boxes would light that tank up really well and only cost you $250. The Reefbreaders Photon 48 V2 will cost you $750. Corals will look a little prettier though if that's the goal...

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I think the first question is how much you're comfortable spending. If you like Kessil then hunt around on here for some used lights - you can get used Kessil a360we for $200-250 and you'd only need a couple of those.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I use reef breeders v2 and 4 t5’s, I personally really like my LEDs and would recommend looking into it as well. I did pick up both of mine during one of the sales so it was a fair bit cheaper, but they’re really robust fixtures, they’ve a massive heat sink (my fans only come on occasionally during summer) and I actually get great growth from them and the t5’s.

Quality lighting for a tank that size isn’t going to come cheap.
Even if you get a t5 fixture you need to account for the cost of bulbs, as well as replacing them in the future.

Best of luck!

 

[nicks8201]

Thanks guys my budget was going to be around $600. I saw someone selling the AP700 from kessil for that price and whatever light I get I would need a mount bc I don’t want to hang from living room ceiling