What are the Lights You Use Nn Your Tank

Gumbies R Us · Mar 21, 2023

I've been noticing a lot of light discussion recently on lights to use for tanks, so I thought I would ask what lights are you using for your tank? Maybe you chose them because of cost, space, or because you knew they were great lights. Curious to hear what everyone has to say.

C4ctus99 · Mar 21, 2023

I got a used aqua life t5 and dismantled the thing. It originally was 36x20 I believe and my tank is 30x12. So I took it apart, moved both lights together and made mounting brackets out of the framing that came with the light. I do need to scoot a bracket in (they’re 1/2” out of square) and I want to get some dimmable ballasts, but very happy with the results and really really hard to beat for $75.

Currently have ATI blue and actinic, then the front two bulbs are actually just 3000k warm bulbs from Home Depot. It came with 2 blue, 1 actinic, and one purple originally, but all the blue hurts my eyes. The warm bulbs did cause a bit of a film algae problem, but the all blue makes my eyes hurt so putting the warm in front helps a lot with that. I want to find a higher wattage warm bulb that I can pair up with another blue ATI bulb to maximize blues though.

nereefpat · Mar 21, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
what lights are you using for your tank?

6 bulb Tek T5 fixture since 2011, I think.

Gumbies R Us said:
Maybe you chose them because of cost, space, or because you knew they were great lights.

I chose them as an upgrade to my 4 x 65 watt power compact fluorescent. The idea was that they would be brighter, allowing me to keep more light-demanding corals. It was also kind of a pain to find straight pin 65 PC bulbs, and your choices were either 10K, actinic, or 50/50. The mounting legs were also really nice.

They were expensive to me, at the time. Somewhere in the 4-500 dollar range. I don't remember exactly. It's a great light. It's a shame they don't make 'em anymore.

1 of the 2 ballasts did fail a couple years ago. It cost me about 30 bucks and an hour or so to replace it.
I change bulbs every 18 months or so. I usually wait to get them on sale.

WestMI-Reefer · Mar 21, 2023

2 kessil A160we (i like the shimmer)
2 apex lunar simulators
1 supplementary freshwater led for shading/colors

homer1475 · Mar 21, 2023

8 bulb ATI hybrid powermodule.

I chose it over the old 6 bulb sunpower because I needed more light for SPS, but still love the look and simple on/off of T5's over LED's.

SteveMM62Reef · Mar 21, 2023

I use 21LEDUSA Lights exclusively. Some one talked me into a Nicrew, I’m super disappointed in it. Yes, I grow various coral under these lights.

Gumbies R Us · Mar 21, 2023

SteveMM62Reef said:
I use 21LEDUSA Lights exclusively. Some one talked me into a Nicrew, I’m super disappointed in it.

What was wrong with Nicrew?

ReeferHD · Mar 21, 2023

1 kessil AP700 over my reefer 250, i wanted to add a T5 hybrid fixture along with it but the tank is in my room and i dont want it getting too hot in there.

lopez052308 · Mar 21, 2023

Radion pros because of proven growth and reliability

RedoubtReef · Mar 21, 2023

I'm going back to halides and T5s. Hamilton Cebu with 2 250w halides and 4 T5s.

nothing_fancy · Mar 21, 2023

I have an AIO thats pretty jammed in the "Sump" area so I went with Kessil for the form factor. They've worked out very well for me. When I eventually upgrade I will likely just add a couple more fixtures if budget allows.

Gumbies R Us · Mar 21, 2023

C4ctus99 said:
I got a used aqua life t5 and dismantled the thing. It originally was 36x20 I believe and my tank is 30x12. So I took it apart, moved both lights together and made mounting brackets out of the framing that came with the light. I do need to scoot a bracket in (they’re 1/2” out of square) and I want to get some dimmable ballasts, but very happy with the results and really really hard to beat for $75.

Currently have ATI blue and actinic, then the front two bulbs are actually just 3000k warm bulbs from Home Depot. It came with 2 blue, 1 actinic, and one purple originally, but all the blue hurts my eyes. The warm bulbs did cause a bit of a film algae problem, but the all blue makes my eyes hurt so putting the warm in front helps a lot with that. I want to find a higher wattage warm bulb that I can pair up with another blue ATI bulb to maximize blues though.

Oh, those are nice looking!!

CasperOe · Mar 21, 2023

4 x Radion XR15 G6 with 2 x AI Blade on the way..

SteveMM62Reef · Mar 21, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
What was wrong with Nicrew?

It looses it‘s time of day setting often. Even when we don’t have an apparent power failure. I even though there might be something wrong with my Power Strip, or that circuit. Plugged it directly into another Aquarium Circuit, and then a dedicated Sump Pump Circuit, that’s got a Power Loss Alarm. Got the same results.

Christian0505 · Mar 21, 2023

Giesemann stellar hybrid 90cm with 2 radion xr30 G5 blues. Currently 3 ati blue plus and one coral plus bulb, but will be switching to two blue plus and two coral plus.
My lps corals are a lot more puffy, and big euphyllia corals grow a lot more ball like due to the great spread of the t5. The leds are great to bring out that “pop” and cook some of the acroporas without having a huge electricity bill.