Starting a tank, need lighting suggestions

[mainn]

I am reasonably new to the saltwater hobby, though I have kept tanks on and off through the years. I want to start a reef tank and have one my research. I have most everything but I am still deciding on lights.
I am either going to do a 20 long or 29 gallon, my apartment restrictions keep me from going bigger

I primarily want softies and LPS, however at some point I would like to keep some low light SPS such as birdsnest
I would like leds so I don't have to change the bulbs, and would like to keep it around or under 150.

My top pick so far has been these in the 24-36 inch
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...tid=27873&s=hl

But I would be open to any suggestions.

 

[143MPCo]

Welcome, I have read a few mixed reviews on those LED but, have never used them so I can't speak from experience...

If for the time being you are going with just softies you might want to consider Reef Radiance or Reef Breeder LED. I have a set and they have filled my needs nicely

 

[tigerdragon]

this is my softie/lps tank running current true lumen pro led strips with the dual channel ramp pro timer. These lights are good for this type tank would not suggest for sps though. Might do ok on low light sps like bird nest.

 

[G_Sanab922]

If you haven't got the tank yet, if I could start again, I would go with a 29g biocube with led retrofit. different dimensions than the long or standard tanks but very nice. Plus the lights provide great growth and color.

 

[mainn]

If you haven't got the tank yet, if I could start again, I would go with a 29g biocube with led retrofit. different dimensions than the long or standard tanks but very nice. Plus the lights provide great growth and color.

I really was considering the biocube, but I can't afford to buy the tank and replace the lights. It was one or the other, I figured I could get better lights if I just bought all the equipment myself from the get go.

 

[G_Sanab922]

I really was considering the biocube, but I can't afford to buy the tank and replace the lights. It was one or the other, I figured I could get better lights if I just bought all the equipment myself from the get go.

It's affordable if you can find one used. I saw one from another member in my area going for $200 (all equipment included), check your local club forum every so often. That's where you will get the best deals... If you do get the 20long or 29g, what do you plan to do for filtration?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Keep in mind your future. Could you use the light on another tank or frag set up? Since your just starting out I would look locally for quality used equip. Buy a refractometer. I wish I would have just bought the good stuff right out of the gate. It would have saved me thousands. Welcome to the hobby.

 

[jamesm]

The Current LED light is a pretty good light for soft and LPS coral. As long as the tank is not deep you could do some SPS corals. The light is easy to program and has a lot of controllable features. I have had one over my FOWLR tank for over a year and have had no issues. My local fish store uses them over their frag tanks. For the price Current is a good choice.

 

[mainn]

It's affordable if you can find one used. I saw one from another member in my area going for $200, check your local club forum every so often. That's where you will get the best deals... If you do get the 20long or 29g, what do you plan to do for filtration?

Anything I get will be hob because I cannot install a sump so I was going to use an old aquaclear running chemipure and maybe the reef octopus nano HOB. I am not really aware of any other hob skimmers under 100$

 

[mainn]

Thank you for the welcome. I do already have a refractometer from my fish only tank I played around with this past summer.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Anything I get will be hob because I cannot install a sump so I was going to use an old aquaclear running chemipure and maybe the reef octopus nano HOB. I am not really aware of any other hob skimmers under 100$

I run an aquaclear on my 20g. I recommend putting live rock rubble and cheato in there like a mini sump. There's people that do it like that, just look it up. And yea hob skimmers are pricey. I didn't want to spend much since my 20g is a budget build so I got the biocube coralife skimmer ($20-$30) I think it is. It has suction cups to hang inside the tank. Looks really ugly but does a decent job. better that than nothing at least. Just make sure to be consistent with water changes.

 

[LetItReef]

I am reasonably new to the saltwater hobby, though I have kept tanks on and off through the years. I want to start a reef tank and have one my research. I have most everything but I am still deciding on lights.
I am either going to do a 20 long or 29 gallon, my apartment restrictions keep me from going bigger

I primarily want softies and LPS, however at some point I would like to keep some low light SPS such as birdsnest
I would like leds so I don't have to change the bulbs, and would like to keep it around or under 150.

My top pick so far has been these in the 24-36 inch
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...tid=27873&s=hl

But I would be open to any suggestions.

We have this on a regular size 29g with mostly LPS and doing well. Its features are really great and its price too. You might be ok to go for SPS on 20L since it is not deeper tank compare to a regular size 29g. Good luck

 

[farell]

I am reasonably new to the saltwater hobby, though I have kept tanks on and off through the years. I want to start a reef tank and have one my research. I have most everything but I am still deciding on lights.
I am either going to do a 20 long or 29 gallon, my apartment restrictions keep me from going bigger

I primarily want softies and LPS, however at some point I would like to keep some low light SPS such as birdsnest
I would like leds so I don't have to change the bulbs, and would like to keep it around or under 150.

My top pick so far has been these in the 24-36 inch
Interior-Deluxe.com

But I would be open to any suggestions.

its hard to find anything better in this priceclass, i would go for it. My corals love it and they grow better than ever since i have these lights

 

[LetItReef]

I am not really aware of any other hob skimmers under 100$[/QUOTE] HOB skimmer under $60.00 purchased new that I am currently using on a regular size 29g with no issues so far is the Aquatic life HOB skimmer.

 

[mainn]

Thanks for all the good response to this, I appreciate the help!