Newbeeeeeee alert

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Ok R2R led sperts... im new to the reef tank experience and i need some help. My tank came with the elive led light.. nice light but not enough for corals so im going on four months now and have some zoa, trumpet, and an acon along with a couple of clowns. My tank is 36x12x24 and im looking to do alot of different corals in the future. Money is an issue so im looking at the Chinese black boxes from ebay and Amazon. My question is the difference of a 120w to a 300w unit. One is like 19" and the other is like 34". What one would be good for a tank my size?

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 26, 2016

https://sbreeflights.com/5-sbox-reef-lights
reefbreeders is good too.

34 or 32. Better coverage. and really its a small price difference nowadays for something good. with a warranty. In USA. with a guy you can talk to(on this forum &FB. and a light that will set fire to your tank.

the mars are ok.

search lux meter here too. acclimation is key. mars sb & RB VERY powerful.

a $15 meter

or burned corals.

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Oh great now im gonna fry my corals..lol

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 26, 2016

Tbabcock said:
Oh great now im gonna fry my corals..lol

we hope not

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Ya i cant afford a $500 light SB has a 32" basic but no price so i will have to look into that.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 26, 2016

24in deep?

https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/reef-breeders-value-led-fixtures/

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Yes 24" deep..

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Thanks for your help. I sent SB an email to see what they have for my tank. I think there going to fit my budget better.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 26, 2016

Yea you could do a 32 tank with a 16" fixture but you need the right optics for spread like the reef breeders I posted up there.
I prefer a very good spread over the whole tank for what I consider obvious reasons.
The ai prime and Radions fad I don't prefer as it has to be kinda high up to spread or have multiples. and I like a Canopy. I dont like to see the light in my living room (and I cant afford 3 radions)
the RB SB and Chinese BB too I can set on top of my canopy's and cut a hole. Stuff to consider.

Tbabcock · Apr 26, 2016

Well the tank is already set up and doing well so im stuck with 36". Im sure i will figure something out i just dont want to load much more coral in it until i get a better light.

Salty1962 · Apr 27, 2016

Welcome to R2R!

Wilsoni · Apr 27, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
https://sbreeflights.com/5-sbox-reef-lights
reefbreeders is good too.
34 or 32. Better coverage. and really its a small price difference nowadays for something good. with a warranty. In USA. with a guy you can talk to(on this forum &FB. and a light that will set fire to your tank.

the mars are ok.

search lux meter here too. acclimation is key. mars sb & RB VERY powerful.
a $15 meter or burned corals.

Don't mean to hijack this thread but I'm curious as to what kind of store would carry the $15 lux meter you refer to locally? I know Amazon and other vendors sell them but I will actually need to pick one up tomorrow as I'm moving from Kessils to Radion. (]:

MikeyAl · Apr 27, 2016

Wilsoni said:
Don't mean to hijack this thread but I'm curious as to what kind of store would carry the $15 lux meter you refer to locally? I know Amazon and other vendors sell them but I will actually need to pick one up tomorrow as I'm moving from Kessils to Radion. (]:

Just bought one myself. I've heard good things.

Wilsoni · Apr 27, 2016

MikeyAl said:
Just bought one myself. I've heard good things.

I wish I would've purchased one sooner, my Radions are arriving tonight. Haha I suppose I could install it and run it in a low acclimation cycle until I calculate the intensity of my Kessils.

MikeyAl · Apr 27, 2016

Wilsoni said:
I wish I would've purchased one sooner, my Radions are arriving tonight. Haha I suppose I could install it and run it in a low acclimation cycle until I calculate the intensity of my Kessils.

I would do exactly that.

Wilsoni · Apr 27, 2016

I honestly should wait it out. But I'm always impatient to try out new toys...

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 27, 2016

Wilsoni said:
Don't mean to hijack this thread but I'm curious as to what kind of store would carry the $15 lux meter you refer to locally? I know Amazon and other vendors sell them but I will actually need to pick one up tomorrow as I'm moving from Kessils to Radion. (]:

oy. in SLC you can pick up a footcandle/lux meter at a camera store and/or do the lux conversion from FC. Harbor freight maybe. A high end plant store. and Apogee is in Provo.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 27, 2016

Tbabcock said:
Well the tank is already set up and doing well so im stuck with 36". Im sure i will figure something out i just dont want to load much more coral in it until i get a better light.

I had a 30 long for many years. LOVED IT> Ran power compacts

Wilsoni · Apr 27, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
oy. in SLC you can pick up a footcandle/lux meter at a camera store and/or do the lux conversion from FC. Harbor freight maybe. A high end plant store. and Apogee is in Provo.

Thank you! I'll have to do some searching once I get off work (]: