The best light setup for a 29 gallon nano is?

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I need light and I need input? What light should I run over my new 29 gal nano...

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Forgot to mention it is standard dimensions 30L×12H×19H

 

[tdileo]

Are you okay with spending a few hundred on lights? If so I'd reccomend 2 Kessil A160s, 2 AI Hydra 26 or 2 AI Prime fixtures. If you're like me and can't do that, there are lots of Chinese LEDs that work great but lack the ability to be controlled from your phone or your computer. Most will have to be put on a timer but some come with them built in. I have a GalaxyHydro 55x3 over my tank, but another popular choice is MarsAqua. They both do pretty much the same thing though. If you have the extra money and want the control features then go for an expensive one, the Hydra 26 is probably best for that. But if you don't want to blow a ton of money and just need something that will grow anything but lacks the super advanced control abilities go Chinese Black Box.

 

[tdileo]

I forgot there are T5 High Outputs and Metal Halides too, but I never wanted them because of the heat and that you have to replace the bulbs every few months. I can't give a reccomendation on those but I hear the Coralife ones are good

 

[LetItReef]

Used to have a 29g for 2 yrs and had Current Orbit led with LPS/Softies and did well.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Used to have a 29g for 2 yrs and had Current Orbit led with LPS/Softies and did well.

Kool deal

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Are you okay with spending a few hundred on lights? If so I'd reccomend 2 Kessil A160s, 2 AI Hydra 26 or 2 AI Prime fixtures. If you're like me and can't do that, there are lots of Chinese LEDs that work great but lack the ability to be controlled from your phone or your computer. Most will have to be put on a timer but some come with them built in. I have a GalaxyHydro 55x3 over my tank, but another popular choice is MarsAqua. They both do pretty much the same thing though. If you have the extra money and want the control features then go for an expensive one, the Hydra 26 is probably best for that. But if you don't want to blow a ton of money and just need something that will grow anything but lacks the super advanced control abilities go Chinese Black Box.

Idk about the black box. I'm not real fond of the though of my house catching fire while I'm away.. I have heard some horror stories about those

 

[tdileo]

There's a much higher chance of your house burning down from metal halides or T5HOs than LED black boxes. My dad is really involved with emergency management and while he no longer fights fires he is still always there helping. He is currently the deputy coordinator of emergency management for our town so he is one of those people who is really cautious about everything thats a possible fire hazard. I've never heard of the black boxes catching fire and he wouldn't allow me to get them if he thought they could be dangerous. I run mine at 100% blue and 30% white, it grows my mixed reef including SPS just fine and the fixture isn't very hot. If you're rich then get the fancy lights lol

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

There's a much higher chance of your house burning down from metal halides or T5HOs than LED black boxes. My dad is really involved with emergency management and while he no longer fights fires he is still always there helping. He is currently the deputy coordinator of emergency management for our town so he is one of those people who is really cautious about everything thats a possible fire hazard. I've never heard of the black boxes catching fire and he wouldn't allow me to get them if he thought they could be dangerous. I run mine at 100% blue and 30% white, it grows my mixed reef including SPS just fine and the fixture isn't very hot. If you're rich then get the fancy lights lol

That kool, I will look at them and see how the look and whatnot. Do you happen to have any pictures of your tank by chance?

 

[Gil03]

2 AI Hydra 26 HD's would be my choice, or for cheaper you could probably go with the AI Prime HD's although the 26's would give you flexibility in the future should you choose to upgrade to a bigger tank.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I really like the look of the kessils personally. What is the biggest difference between this and the hydras?

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Anybody..? Anyone..? Bueller.. Bueller..

 

[Hogan]

AI Prime HD. (Make sure it's the HD and not the regular. I have both over 2 different nanos and like the HD much better.) If you don't want LED's i would recommend the 24" or 30" ATI fixture. I have an ATI over my 180 sps tank and switched from LEDs. LOVE IT! Growth and color has been much better. My nanos (I have 3) are softy and LPS. The lights I have over them are AI nano, AI Prime, and AI Prime HD. I had a Kessil and the LPS and softies absolutely loved it. Growth was crazy good and colors were awesome. But, SPS wasn't so great. Some were ok and some would not color up. But the AI Prime HD has been my favorite by far. I also agree that you would need 2 of them for 30" though unless you just put softies on the outside edges of the tank.

 

[netdawg]

I put a 165w SB Reef Pro on my 29g JBJ 18mos ago and absolutely LOVE the light. Its probably too much for that small of a tank being 9-12" above the water but it has my Digi, Monti-cap, and acans growing like weeds! Super quiet, good support based on what I've experienced in asking a ton of questions, and the only thing negative I can say is the leg-stands were a little probelmatic for me but I could have gone a different direction with stand if I thought through it...

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

What about the programmable aspects? Are they similar in that regard? I want to be able to have them set up for the whole sunrise to sunset deal. I just want what is gonna help me produce the best possible nano mixed reef..

 

[tdileo]

That kool, I will look at them and see how the look and whatnot. Do you happen to have any pictures of your tank by chance?

I do but it's a very new tank so not a lot to show lol. Plus my lights are off for the night. However I am growing an anemone as well as montipora so the lights are doing just fine. I have heard other people say that the lights are way stronger than they thought and when switching from T5HO their SPS actually almost all died from bleaching

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I do but it's a very new tank so not a lot to show lol. Plus my lights are off for the night. However I am growing an anemone as well as montipora so the lights are doing just fine. I have heard other people say that the lights are way stronger than they thought and when switching from T5HO their SPS actually almost all died from bleaching

Fair enough, lol. Right now I am torn between the Kessils and AI. Guess I am going to have to do more research and make a choice.

 

[Rimsky]

Nanobox.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

After doing some more research I am starting to do the that AI will probably be the best bang for my buck here. So now I got to decide between the Primes and the Hydra twentysix... hummmmm ..choices ...choices

 

[tdileo]

In terms of power it doesn't matter. You will NEVER use 100% power on them, its just too strong and will bleach your corals. Both are great fixtures, I wish I could have afforded them, but its just not really in the ballpark for someone who is 15. Would have brought my tank cost up to like $2200. Personally I could have gone with the Hydra 26s though. But lots of people prefer the Prime. See if you can find someone who has them both in person like an aquarium store and see which you prefer!