What kind of lights???

Khwee · Nov 19, 2019

Hi All!

I have a 75g(48”x15”x21”) acrylic tank and plan to set it up as a reef tank. As of right now i have a aquatic life reef LED. Im pretty sure this isnt enough. What LIGHT bar would be strong enough to support this kind of tank? I am unable to hang anything so it must be a light bar that can sit on top of the tank. Im on a bit of a budget(around $300). Any ideas what bar light i should get?

Reefing Madness · Nov 19, 2019

Whats your plans for corals, and what kind of budget you looking at?

Sailfin11 · Nov 19, 2019

I would take a look at Craigslist. I have gotten a nice 48" T5 fixture for $100 and a pair of radions for $250. If you are looking for new lights I would take a look at SB Reef Lights's 45" fixture for $350.

Han · Nov 19, 2019

I like my fluval marine & reef 3.0, I wouldn’t use it for sps corals though. For softies and lps it would be fine, it’s a bar that sits on the rim of the tank. I have the 48” one which should work for your tank.

BayouReefer · Nov 19, 2019

I put 4 of the Redsea REEFLED90’s on my tank about a month ago. I am seeing good growth and coloration from my mixed reef. Very happy with them so far.

Khwee · Nov 19, 2019

BayouReefer said:
I put 4 of the Redsea REEFLED90’s on my tank about a month ago. I am seeing good growth and coloration from my mixed reef. Very happy with them so far.

dang ur a baller lol.

Khwee · Nov 19, 2019

What do u guys think about these?

Aquatic Life EDGE & EDGE Reef LED Aquarium Light Fixtures

Description Original Aquatic Life Edge LED Fixtures. Now with built-in battery backup for all Timer functions! The revolutionary, feature-rich EDGE LED Fixtures from Aquatic Life are a game changer in the realm of outdated, overcomplicated LED lighting systems presently available. These sleek...

aquaticlife.com

First time on a forum of any kind. This is amazing. Thanks for everyones suggestions.

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 20, 2019

Khwee said:
What do u guys think about these?

Aquatic Life EDGE & EDGE Reef LED Aquarium Light Fixtures

Description Original Aquatic Life Edge LED Fixtures. Now with built-in battery backup for all Timer functions! The revolutionary, feature-rich EDGE LED Fixtures from Aquatic Life are a game changer in the realm of outdated, overcomplicated LED lighting systems presently available. These sleek...

aquaticlife.com

First time on a forum of any kind. This is amazing. Thanks for everyones suggestions.

What are you trying to grow? If SPS, this light will most likely not be enough. Here is the light bar I built to mount my two black box LED's over my new 75 gallon. All DIY from Home Depot. Only took about three hours to build with only a screw driver and a drill bit.

madweazl · Nov 20, 2019

Pair of 16" black boxes are likely your best bet if you're set on LEDs. A 48" AquaticLife Hybrid fixture might be another good option; you can run the T5s initially and as you get higher light demanding corals, you could add the LEDs of choice to it. The T5s will provide 150-200 PAR across the tank which gives you quite a few options for corals from day one.

Khwee · Nov 20, 2019

madweazl said:
Pair of 16" black boxes are likely your best bet if you're set on LEDs. A 48" AquaticLife Hybrid fixture might be another good option; you can run the T5s initially and as you get higher light demanding corals, you could add the LEDs of choice to it. The T5s will provide 150-200 PAR across the tank which gives you quite a few options for corals from day one.

I am a super noob. So T5 is a type of bulb? Or a fixture?

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 20, 2019

Khwee said:
I am a super noob. So T5 is a type of bulb? Or a fixture?

T5 is a fixure/bulb configuration. You'd get a T5 fixture like this:

48" Hybrid T5HO 4x54W Fixture with Three Circular Mounting Brackets- Black

Limited Time: Circular Mounting Brackets Included! Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts three Ecotech, AI, or Kessil LED Light Module Includes LED Light...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

And then bulbs like this to put in it:

T5 Coral Plus

Why does BRS recommend this? ATI has been some of the most sought after bulbs in the reef aquarium hobby. With their bright crisp colors, ATI are our number one choice when it comes to T5 bulbs. With ATI bulbs you can use a single color on its own or you can mix and match to make the ultimate...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Jon Fishman · Nov 20, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
T5 is a fixure/bulb configuration. You'd get a T5 fixture like this:

48" Hybrid T5HO 4x54W Fixture with Three Circular Mounting Brackets- Black

Limited Time: Circular Mounting Brackets Included! Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts three Ecotech, AI, or Kessil LED Light Module Includes LED Light...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

And then bulbs like this to put in it:

T5 Coral Plus

Why does BRS recommend this? ATI has been some of the most sought after bulbs in the reef aquarium hobby. With their bright crisp colors, ATI are our number one choice when it comes to T5 bulbs. With ATI bulbs you can use a single color on its own or you can mix and match to make the ultimate...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

That’s a hybrid fixture, and not necessary if he is going to just put T5’s over it and not LeDs

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 20, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
That’s a hybrid fixture, and not necessary if he is going to just put T5’s over it and not LeDs

Indeed. I showed that one as it may be able to be used to supplement his current LED fixture. A T5 only setup would work too though.

Jon Fishman · Nov 20, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
Indeed. I showed that one as it may be able to be used to supplement his current LED fixture. A T5 only setup would work too though.

Ah yes. Good call.

I am leaning towards these Aquatic Life fixtures myself

Khwee · Nov 20, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
T5 is a fixure/bulb configuration. You'd get a T5 fixture like this:

48" Hybrid T5HO 4x54W Fixture with Three Circular Mounting Brackets- Black

Limited Time: Circular Mounting Brackets Included! Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts three Ecotech, AI, or Kessil LED Light Module Includes LED Light...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

And then bulbs like this to put in it:

T5 Coral Plus

Why does BRS recommend this? ATI has been some of the most sought after bulbs in the reef aquarium hobby. With their bright crisp colors, ATI are our number one choice when it comes to T5 bulbs. With ATI bulbs you can use a single color on its own or you can mix and match to make the ultimate...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

It looks great. The problem i am unable to hang any lights. It has to be a bracket mounted light.

Jon Fishman · Nov 20, 2019

I would DIY something, depending on what lights, your stand.... wall behind, etc

Han · Nov 20, 2019

This is what the fluvals look like:

Khwee · Nov 20, 2019

Han said:
This is what the fluvals look like:

Does this do well with corals? As far or growth or just enough to keep corals.

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 20, 2019

Khwee said:
It looks great. The problem i am unable to hang any lights. It has to be a bracket mounted light.

Yeah I hear you, but the black boxes are "hang only" as well and see how I have them set up. You can always DIY something to fit your needs.

madweazl · Nov 20, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
Yeah I hear you, but the black boxes are "hang only" as well and see how I have them set up. You can always DIY something to fit your needs.

There are brackets to mount the black boxes on the tank. There is a solution for the hybrid fixture as well.