<$100 light for 10g cube

[temet vince]

My tank came with a finnex fugeray planted+ light. I'd like to move this light to my sump and leave it on 24/7, as I'm worried it will encourage algae blooms in my tank. Is this a justified concern?

This isn't going to be a high dollar coral tank or anything. I don't really care what corals I grow, but I would like to have some life!

I've read about par38 bulbs on here, but I'm worried about shadows. Is that a concern for a 10g cube? Would a par38 limit me on coral choices? What par38 bulbs are good quality/not rippoffs?

Are there better alternatives to par38 for <$150 (ideally sub $100)?

[gus6464]

You want cheap buy a mars aqua on amazon or ebay.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-LED-Aquarium-Light-Full-Spectrum-Dimmerable-Coral-LPS-SPS-102W-Power-Draw-/380970235935?hash=item58b398781f

[Nickbruh510]

Go on Amazon and grab a beams work less than 100$

[evilc66]

Mars Aqua, yes. Beamsworks, no.

[temet vince]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions!

Mars Aqua, yes. Beamsworks, no.

evilc66, how would mars aqua compare to par38 lighting, in your opinion?

[evilc66]

You get more bang for your buck, that's for sure. Much of it really depends on the PAR38 you are comparing it against though, as some are pretty crap in the color department. My personal favorite PAR38 at this point is the Coral Compulsion 24W units. Good overall color, and pretty reliable.

 

The big differences come in how the light enters the tank. With a PAR38, you get a much more defined cone of light, and the shadows are harder compared to the light from a larger fixture where the LEDs are more spread out.

[Reefkid88]

I'd say the CC 24w or the 35w Par38's for $100-$120 respectively. Which isn't bad. And you can swap out optics for different spreads eliminating "shadowing" that you're worried about.

 

With both you'd get more than enough par to grow softies to sps.

 

Scroll down about half way and you should find out the par values for all their par bulbs.