What light for my tank?

[Carterfish]

Hello reefers, I am fairly new to this site but have had my tank about 10 years. I️t used to be a FOWLR but have since wanted to start adding corals and an anemone. I currently have a 50 gal aquarium that is 4 feet long. 16 inches to sand bed. I have the USA current orbite marine led light right now and it’s doing the job for my bubble coral. However I want to get a couple of anemones and have heard this won’t do the job. So what light would you recommend. I️t needs to be under about 200$ hopefully less. And would prefer if it came with brackets so I don’t have to hang I️t from wall.

 

[Palyzoa]

Hello reefers, I am fairly new to this site but have had my tank about 10 years. I️t used to be a FOWLR but have since wanted to start adding corals and an anemone. I currently have a 50 gal aquarium that is 4 feet long. 16 inches to sand bed. I have the USA current orbite marine led light right now and it’s doing the job for my bubble coral. However I want to get a couple of anemones and have heard this won’t do the job. So what light would you recommend. I️t needs to be under about 200$ hopefully less. And would prefer if it came with brackets so I don’t have to hang I️t from wall.

https://www.amazon.com/OceanRevive®-Arctic-T247-Spectrum-Dimmable-Aquarium/dp/B00YOYD3K2

These lights are great but you would need 2 for a 4ft tank which putts you over your $200 limit.

You could check the selling forum or ebay to see if someone is selling a 4 lamp HO T5 fixture for under $200.

 

[Chris04]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/181275113350

Two of these would work and even work for sps corals

If you want to go a little cheap go with T5

 

[PerplexyHexy]

I just purchased a SBReef SBox Pro 16” LED... Heard nothing but great things about them. Just waiting for it to get here. Only $210 too.

 

[Carterfish]

https://www.amazon.com/OceanRevive[emoji768]-Arctic-T247-Spectrum-Dimmable-Aquarium/dp/B00YOYD3K2

These lights are great but you would need 2 for a 4ft tank which putts you over your $200 limit.

You could check the selling forum or ebay to see if someone is selling a 4 lamp HO T5 fixture for under $200.

Yea these might be a bit pricey for me. I wonder if any are used or something. About the T5 fixtures what would I want if I went with those?

 

[Chris04]

Yea these might be a bit pricey for me. I wonder if any are used or something. About the T5 fixtures what would I want if I went with those?

Look on Facebook or Craig’s list for used reef light

 

[Carterfish]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/181275113350

Two of these would work and even work for sps corals

If you want to go a little cheap go with T5

I think I’m gonna go with these when I get the money. Thanks! Do you think I actually will need 2 though? If so do these come in bigger sizes(the black boxes) or should I just put them side by side. Tank is 4 feet long. Only a foot and a half deep.

 

[Chris04]

Put side by side. I have one over a frag tank 30-25 and it only light up most of the middle and some of the side but get great color

 

[Palyzoa]

Yea these might be a bit pricey for me. I wonder if any are used or something. About the T5 fixtures what would I want if I went with those?

If you went with a t5 fixture you would want one with at least 4 bulbs and they need to be HO (High Output) bulbs. Another thing to look for (if you don't have an apex) would be a fixture with a built in timer. Those plug in timers are just so bulky and can block other outlets. Some of the well known brands that come to mind would be ATI, Coralife, Aquatic life, etc..

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

I’m extremely familiar with all the current lights, which one do you have? Even the first current orbit will grow anemones in your size tank. I wouldn’t rush to judgement so fast with this light. I have had amazing results with the current leds. A few pics of your light and tank would help a lot. If it’s the light I’m thinking it is, there is no need to buy a new light for what you stated you wanted to do.

I will point out a few things, first how old is your tank? It should be at least a year old and @crabs_mcjones has a very nice thread about anemonies you should read. Secondly, if your tank is a 55 gallon, they current light will be over kill for that size tank. 3.) I know it’s hard (even for me), but just because it costs more, or looks pretty, doesn’t mean it’s better. 4.) switching a light while your tank is use to what you already have, is not the greatest idea. This is a live ecosystem, please be careful. A new light could bleach them before you know it. 5.) of this is the light I’m thinking of, it will grow softies, and lps, and lower requirement sps. Any of the higher sps 150 and up probably won’t do so well with that light. If for some reason you have the orbit marine pro,
Or even the orbit ic loop version, then it’s a whole different game. I wish you well.

Sincerely
Sarah

 

[sp4zzy]

I'd recommend the MicMol Aqua Air if you're dead set on a new light. It's not the easiest to program but mine has been reliable and it puts out a RIDICULOUS amount of light. On top of that it comes with mounting brackets and looks really nice - super low profile.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q8LDX3/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?psc=1&th=1

Edit to add: I'm actually using the small version on a 20gal anemone grow out tank. If you go this route, start low and ramp it up - I'm running mine at about 40% and it almost torched the tank.

 

[Carterfish]

Hello,

I’m extremely familiar with all the current lights, which one do you have? Even the first current orbit will grow anemones in your size tank. I wouldn’t rush to judgement so fast with this light. I have had amazing results with the current leds. A few pics of your light and tank would help a lot. If it’s the light I’m thinking it is, there is no need to buy a new light for what you stated you wanted to do.

I will point out a few things, first how old is your tank? It should be at least a year old and @crabs_mcjones has a very nice thread about anemonies you should read. Secondly, if your tank is a 55 gallon, they current light will be over kill for that size tank. 3.) I know it’s hard (even for me), but just because it costs more, or looks pretty, doesn’t mean it’s better. 4.) switching a light while your tank is use to what you already have, is not the greatest idea. This is a live ecosystem, please be careful. A new light could bleach them before you know it. 5.) of this is the light I’m thinking of, it will grow softies, and lps, and lower requirement sps. Any of the higher sps 150 and up probably won’t do so well with that light. If for some reason you have the orbit marine pro,
Or even the orbit ic loop version, then it’s a whole different game. I wish you well.

Sincerely
Sarah

is this good?

 

[jda]

If you decide on a new light, I would consider a 48" Hydroponics HO (216w) 4 bulb T5 from amazon or ebay are about $100 shipped. Replace two of the daylight bulbs with True Actinic (generic Chinese or Fluval brand). Light timer from your hardware store. This can get you in for $125-130ish.

This type of setup is going to be about 75-90% of what an ATI is, which is not bad, but not great... it will get the job done. I would expect the fixture to last more like five years instead of ten. I would change the bulbs every other year with GE 6500k (about $5 a bulb) and more true actinic. You can move to ATI, Giesemann or other reef-brand bulbs if you want... replacement will be around $100 instead of $20-30, though.

The orbit might be Ok for the nem... if you stick with BTA and some of the other lower light demanding ones.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

sorry to be honest but you cant cheap on on lighing really the black boxes are good but you really need 2-3, radions are the lights you should get but your going to spend the cash about 550 used each and you need 2, t5 units still are expensive maybe 300 and you have to change bulbs every 6 months. this is a expensive hobby and you get what pay.

 

[Carterfish]

I want one or two rose bubble tip anemones. I’ll feed I️t too

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

you need alot of light and flow which you dont have

 

[jda]

Give them a shot. If they are moving around all of the time and even splitting on their own, then they are searching for something and it could be more light. If not, then you can be OK.

I might suggest that you have a plan and the money ready for an upgrade.

Also, have you considered just a second Orbit? You might be able to find a used one as people upgrade, especially if you have some time.

 

[Carterfish]

Give them a shot. If they are moving around all of the time and even splitting on their own, then they are searching for something and it could be more light. If not, then you can be OK.

I might suggest that you have a plan and the money ready for an upgrade.

Also, have you considered just a second Orbit? You might be able to find a used one as people upgrade, especially if you have some time.

Yes would a second orbit led strip work? That would maybe even be my preference. What if I got the orbit pro one with the current one.

 

[jda]

It would double the light... that is not bad. Pro would be even more light. Double is better.

 

[Carterfish]

It would double the light... that is not bad. Pro would be even more light. Double is better.

Isn’t I️t the same par still? If I simply double the ones I have?