I am starting up a 20 gallon high saltwater aquarium. It use to be a freshwater so my hood and light is the only thing staying. I want to put some corals in their but I dont know if the light is good enough. I have a 30'' Fluorescent Aquarium Reflector 20 Watt is that good for any kind of corals? I m getting any type of Low Light, Hardy, Easy Growth, Good Maintaining, Beginner.... Corals?
What Light Is Best For Corals ?
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bigdiscus513
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The sun
Sabellafella
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Believe it or not i have 2 kessils that i dont even nor ever use 2 radion gen 3s a halide t5 reef brite hybrid , nd now friday posting a new build thread but my 29 gallon biocube stock crappy pc lighting acually grew a red planet jesus stag n garf purp bon and has ben mostly lps now but those floresence aint gunna cut it
Your going to need at least T5 HO lighting, minimum.
LED
Metal Halides
Up to you there, but minimum of T5HO lamps, normal flourescent lighting isn't going to cut it with corals.
LED
Metal Halides
Up to you there, but minimum of T5HO lamps, normal flourescent lighting isn't going to cut it with corals.
RareEarthCorals
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What have you looked at and like so far? There are several important items to consider other than the best. Best is what overall meets your goals.
What are your goals in reef keeping? LPS, SPS, Softies? Short Term/Long term?
Dimensions of your tank including depth and footprint of the light? Par values?
Wattage/Power consumption?
Smartphone, Apex, integration?
Cost in relation to your goals? Dont forget there are other associated cost with lighting. Mounting, wireless, and they can add another $100-150 to your light.
Just wanted to get you thinking. Your gonna get alot of replies of what people have and like but without you really asking yourself serious questions and doing the research your leaving it in the hands of others.
What are your goals in reef keeping? LPS, SPS, Softies? Short Term/Long term?
Dimensions of your tank including depth and footprint of the light? Par values?
Wattage/Power consumption?
Smartphone, Apex, integration?
Cost in relation to your goals? Dont forget there are other associated cost with lighting. Mounting, wireless, and they can add another $100-150 to your light.
Just wanted to get you thinking. Your gonna get alot of replies of what people have and like but without you really asking yourself serious questions and doing the research your leaving it in the hands of others.
20 gallon nano
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I would first start the cycle of my saltwater tank, and while it's cycling, add the equipment. Don't go cheep if possible, so then u won't go and by more expensive latter on which would waste your money on going cheep because it wasn't enough.
Fishman144
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These Are The Corals Im Aiming for
Green Star Polyps
Toadstool Leather Corals
Kenya Tree Corals- Candy Cane Corals
- Mushroom Corals
- Sun Corals
- Blasto Corals
- Button Polyps
RareEarthCorals
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Sun Corals do not like very much light (the irony). Love Blastos have a colony of them. I also have neon green candy canes and they also
look great. Look up Dendros as the are similar and are a bit easier to keep than the sun corals.
Steve's LEDs is a Biocube retrofit and I feel it is the best light for me,
but not necessarily for you. You can do a google search on them.
Another great light for the money is the Ai Prime. It is smartphone compatable, all in one, full spectrum light and on sale through Marine Depot at the moment I believe.
Lastly do your research. You will be much happier understanding why you
purchased the light you did and know it is right for you!
look great. Look up Dendros as the are similar and are a bit easier to keep than the sun corals.
Steve's LEDs is a Biocube retrofit and I feel it is the best light for me,
but not necessarily for you. You can do a google search on them.
Another great light for the money is the Ai Prime. It is smartphone compatable, all in one, full spectrum light and on sale through Marine Depot at the moment I believe.
Lastly do your research. You will be much happier understanding why you
purchased the light you did and know it is right for you!
20 gallon nano
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It depends on how much you want to spend. I run a aquaticlife 4 t5 bulb fixture (ati brand by bulk reef supply) for my 37 gallon.
Cleo642
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This is a few screenshot of an article about sun corals in tropical fish hobbyist magazine. It says sun corals can thrive in brightly lit tanks as well as dark ones.
RareEarthCorals
Well-Known Member
wow someone who reads and researches, great job! Im not going to refute it. Is it possible, yes. Overall reading the article clearly talks about acclimation and the difficulties with this coral. Im not a fan and would rather have dendros all day long. Much higher success rate and hard to tell the difference.
Keep in mind that these are deep water corals, and though we may as hobbiest force them to survive in our enivornment doesnt mean it is the right thing to do.
Cleo642
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They are found in cave openings, around shipwrecks, but also in some shallow areas too. I wouldn't believe that the light affects all that much, it's good water flow and feedings they like.
The yellow ones are so pretty, I know I will get one eventually. I read about them cause I want to care for it properly.
The yellow ones are so pretty, I know I will get one eventually. I read about them cause I want to care for it properly.
RareEarthCorals
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I applaude your efforts. Wishing everyone had a similar outlook when it comes to research.
Look at dendros they are very similar and as I mentioned much easier to keep overall. I still have a hard time telling the difference. All the best!
Look at dendros they are very similar and as I mentioned much easier to keep overall. I still have a hard time telling the difference. All the best!
Cleo642
2500 Club Member
I was gonna ask you about that, I have not heard of them before. I will look them up.
gpwdr
Well-Known Member
Not only is the 5800K sun the beast lighting for corals. The glitter lines created by the irregularity of the surface water creates an intense laser like beam that flashes on the coral. Call me crazy, but the corals getting these intense flashing beams of light, seem like they love it.
Just one other note I never saw any corals in the wild trying to grow downward toward the blue light depths. They are a growing up to the yellow sun.
Maybe someday a lighting manufacturer could create these super intense waves of golden light.
Just one other note I never saw any corals in the wild trying to grow downward toward the blue light depths. They are a growing up to the yellow sun.
Maybe someday a lighting manufacturer could create these super intense waves of golden light.
Sabellafella
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Thats a perfect start rite there honestly instead of just buying a regular pc , florencents, t5s or leds , rareearthh couldnt have said any better. The ai prime is 200 flatt nd between every other light nd timmers its goin to run u about the samd price
Fishman144
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Will this be ok over my 20 gallon with some low light corals.... Heres the link
http://m.ebay.com/itm/291305506819?_mwBanner=1
http://m.ebay.com/itm/291305506819?_mwBanner=1
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Fishman144
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Will this work over a 20 gallon high saltwater tank with some soft corals?
T5 Quad 20" Aquarium Light 72W Cichlid Marine Reef LED 4X 18W Lamps Nano | eBay
T5 Quad 20" Aquarium Light 72W Cichlid Marine Reef LED 4X 18W Lamps Nano | eBay
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Kurt Copeland
Active Member
My wife is an interior designer and I am a photographer and we both deal in lighting situations measured in Kelvin. Is this also used in aquarium lighting or is there another scale of some sort for lighting temperature and tone (i.e. wam and cool)?
How do you choose the best lighting for each situation aside from wattage and width?
How do you choose the best lighting for each situation aside from wattage and width?
