Light advice

[fgeer85]

Hey, guys. I need some opinions on the best lighting for my tank. When I purchased my tank setup, the guy at Aquarium Adventure sold us Fluval LED light. Now I realize how bad it sucks not having a timer. I'm 80 percent sure a generic timer will not work with this light (will try later). I'm just wondering what people think the best light with a timer would be for my tank. I have a 20 gallon long. I have one clown and some CUC. Eventually want corals. Any advice helps. Thanks!

[Pancetta]

A timer should work with the light. LED lights with timers can get expensive.

 

If you decide you want a light with a built in controller/ timer then check out http://www.nanoboxreef.com

Dave Fason is Nanobox and is very active on this site. His lights have a built in controller that you can access through your phone or tablet.

 

I think his Duo unit would work for a 20 gallon tank.

[Rural]

Eventually want corals.

 

dont skimp, no need to respend money later for what you really want.

 

ecotech radion 30 pro

nanobox duo

two kessils

phillips coral?

 

are the off the shelf ones, plenty people here have those. you could also do MH or T5 as well, all depends on preference. with leds make sure to limit shading (ie get multiple light pucks).

 

BUT since you already have purchased a light and i guess they wont let you return it, a simple 15$ outlet lamp timer will be fine for now.

 

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Ecotech_CoralLab_WP1.pdf

[Matteo]

Current USA Marine Orbit Pro will work too because it is a 30in tank. A duo would work but you might get some shadowing on the edges. 20l are hard to light

[jdog]

 

dont skimp, no need to respend money later for what you really want.

 

ecotech radion 30 pro

nanobox duo

two kessils

phillips coral?

 

are the off the shelf ones, plenty people here have those. you could also do MH or T5 as well, all depends on preference. with leds make sure to limit shading (ie get multiple light pucks).

 

BUT since you already have purchased a light and i guess they wont let you return it, a simple 15$ outlet lamp timer will be fine for now.

 

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Ecotech_CoralLab_WP1.pdf

 

Ecotech Xr15, I have the 30 on mine to much

[Matteo]

could always go 2 Ai primes as well

[tsouth]

Really depends on what you want to keep. Did you have a stocklist of corals you had in mind? Or perhaps just some links to corals. Also, a price range would be great.

 

Perhaps an AI Prime is up your alley?

http://www.amazon.com/AquaIllumination-Prime-LED-Light-Black/dp/B00ON2GQM2

[Horerczy]

A list of options for you.

 

- 2 AI primes

- 2 Ecotech Radion XR15W

- 2 Nanobox Mini Tides

- 2 Kessil A160WE + Spectral Controller

- 1 Nanobox Duo

- 1 Reefbreeders Photon V2 24

- 1 Reefbreeders Photon-W 24

- 1 EBay Chinese black box (D120 is a common name)

- 2 Coral compulsion par 38 lamps

[Matteo]

A list of options for you.

 

- 2 AI primes

- 2 Ecotech Radion XR15W

- 2 Nanobox Mini Tides

- 2 Kessil A160WE + Spectral Controller

- 1 Nanobox Duo

- 1 Reefbreeders Photon V2 24

- 1 Reefbreeders Photon-W 24

- 1 EBay Chinese black box (D120 is a common name)

- 2 Coral compulsion par 38 lamps

orrrrrrr Ocean Revive t247!

[Horerczy]

orrrrrrr Ocean Revive t247!

That too. Never said my list was complete.

[Matteo]

That too. Never said my list was complete.

for the price it is a good option! it almost seems unless you are spending $400 you are not in the cool crowd for lighting ahahahah

[Clown79]

There is the coral compulsion 35watt which has a spread of 24x24, not sure the dimensions of the tank, 1 might work but possibly 2

 

I think the par38's are the most affordable option

[Matteo]

There is the coral compulsion 35watt which has a spread of 24x24, not sure the dimensions of the tank, 1 might work but possibly 2

 

I think the par38's are the most affordable option

one will cause soooooo much shadowing

[johnnyvega252]

I really like my AI Hydra 26 HD don't know if that will give you the coverage you need but it will be fine up to 24 inches wide i believe.

[Clown79]

From the tanks I have seen using the pars they had no shadowing as they were hung about 12' above the tank. Its an affordable option, these bulbs are very underated, they are very strong and suitable for small tanks. If you buy the good Par38's, I have seen shadowing with cheaper versions

 

I use a cheapy version par38(not what I recommend), with 60 degree optics and I have the most minimal shadowing, literally the corners.

 

Ai Prime spread 18x18

CC par38 35 watt 24x24

 

in the US the two are fairly comparable in price $129 for par38 $199 plus hanging harness or arm for AI

 

Just offering another option as they already purchased a light and may not be in the position to drop another $200 plus

[markalot]

T5's

[Rookie1]

I'll throw in $0.02 from someone new to reef tanks.

 

After seeking advise on this site I decided on a nanobox. The light is utterly brilliant. It's all the output you need and has an app to adjust it to you hearts content from your iphone, android, tablet, etc. The options in the app are amazing. The ramp timing and location emulation are killer.

 

You can spend a lot on lights but I've already learned that not being limited by your lighting is worth it. I can literally grown any coral in regards to lighting in my tank. It was tough to spend it but once the light was mounted on the tank and I spent 3 minutes playing with the app I quickly forgot about the $$. Also, if I later upgrade to a larger tank, I can still use this light by adding another.