Cscultho Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I'm planning my new Sea Reefer 170 tank and Im not sure what light to purchase?! I plan to have both sps & lps coral but not sure which direction to go!! I want to ensure i have enough light to support the life but yet not go crazy spending tons of money.....So much information and Im now more confused... Tank dimensions are: 24.5" x 20" x 20" Link to comment
flobees Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I am in the same boat. Cannot decide as there is just so many out there and of course the price is also kind of crazy. Link to comment
burtbollinger Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I have this tank and spent months researching. For price & quality and proper coverage....:Nanobox Duo M with 15" Gooseneck or AI Hydra 26. I got to see both lights in person on multiple occasions. I plan to have both sps & lps coral but not sure which direction to go!! I want to ensure i have enough light to support the life. Youre planning LPS and SPS, then the light is gonna cost you money. Your tank and stand was $1000...hate to say it, but sorry...It's time to drop 400-500 on the light. OR, If you don't mind some side shading, get slightly creative with coral placement, and wanted to settle, then I'd go with the AI Prime HD. (settling on lights is a bad idea) I went with the Nanobox Duo M...would have gotten the Hydra 26 if not. Extremely happy with the look and quality of the light. This hobby is light and water. Do it right. Get a good light and get an RO/DI. Spend money on the fancy corals later. Link to comment
TFish77 Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 I have this tank and spent months researching. For price & quality and proper coverage....: Nanobox Duo M with 15" Gooseneck or AI Hydra 26. I got to see both lights in person on multiple occasions. Youre planning LPS and SPS, then the light is gonna cost you money. Your tank and stand was $1000...hate to say it, but sorry...It's time to drop 400-500 on the light. OR, If you don't mind some side shading, get slightly creative with coral placement, and wanted to settle, then I'd go with the AI Prime HD. (settling on lights is a bad idea) I went with the Nanobox Duo M...would have gotten the Hydra 26 if not. Extremely happy with the look and quality of the light. This hobby is light and water. Do it right. Get a good light and get an RO/DI. Spend money on the fancy corals later. This. No sense in getting a super fancy tank like that and sticking a dinky light over it. I would recommend one of the hydra 26's or a 52 if you can spring it. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I'd go nanobox or Ai Prime hd. You can't go wrong with either brand. Link to comment
RIP Sebastian Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 NANOBOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment
dmw913 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 My IM Fusion 20 is also 24" wide. Started out with one fixture (Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue). It did not reach out to the edges as well as I would have liked. Polyps started reaching, etc. Sold fixture and replaced with Radion XR30W. Regardless of budget, make sure to have two points of light to cover that wide spread. Just my .02 Link to comment
Cscultho Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Out of all the fixtures recommended, which one is a single ballast? I only want to have one light over my tank rather than having 2 separate lights to fill the tank with the light spectrum? Link to comment
Cscultho Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 are the gooseneck's for the nano strong enough to hold the fixture without sagging over time? Link to comment
John L Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Ive recently upgraded to reefer 170, I have standard ai prime from my previous 20g tank, I have everything from discosomas, favias, montipora, acropora, styos. All growing well. After reading this topic, I may need to upgrade at some point. If I tilt the light slightly, 1/3 of the tank does go pretty dark, Its probably stretching to absolute maximum coverage it can handle... Link to comment
markalot Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 In my opinion you;re going to want a hybrid LED T5 light unless you plan to stay away from acros. Nanobox in all cases, one of the Nanobox ATI hybrids is the best of both worlds. Link to comment
Cscultho Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Ive recently upgraded to reefer 170, I have standard ai prime from my previous 20g tank, I have everything from discosomas, favias, montipora, acropora, styos. All growing well. After reading this topic, I may need to upgrade at some point. If I tilt the light slightly, 1/3 of the tank does go pretty dark, Its probably stretching to absolute maximum coverage it can handle... Good to know! thanks for the info. Link to comment
DaveFason Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Out of all the fixtures recommended, which one is a single ballast? I only want to have one light over my tank rather than having 2 separate lights to fill the tank with the light spectrum? There are a ton of units out there that will work for this tank. I currently have the same tank setup now and run a Quad. I make these so I will be partial but here are a few good options. Just remember some are manual dimming, some WIFI, mounts included/not, etc. NanoBox Duo NanoBox Quad Ecotech XR30 Kessil 360 Sun power - Hanging only This forum is loaded with tanks to ohh and aww after. Do a search and see what looks good for you! -Dave Link to comment
reefist Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I have a NanoBox Duo plus M over a Reefer Nano and it illuminates it really well. It would work well on a 170 too. A Wide Quad would be even better! I also like the Giesemann Vervve and the Mitras offerings. Be prepared to drop some coin however you decide to go. Link to comment
burtbollinger Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 are the gooseneck's for the nano strong enough to hold the fixture without sagging over time? yes. zero issues there. Nanobox Duo M is what I'd get for the Reefer 170. IMO, quad is overkill, if you trying to keep costs down There are a ton of units out there that will work for this tank. I currently have the same tank setup now and run a Quad. Pics Link to comment
Clown79 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I have an ai over 24" tank. No shadowing at all and everything is happy and growing. Mixed reef. If the tank is any longer than 24" than you will need either 2 or another fixture. Link to comment
Cscultho Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Im leaning towards the Nanobox 4 channel with moon lighting...... Link to comment
RIP Sebastian Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Im leaning towards the Nanobox 4 channel with moon lighting...... Do it. Link to comment
Alexervin239 Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 I'd recommend a kessil a360w. They're hands down imo the best light on the market. Get the mounting arm and the controller. They're a little more expensive than others but the color blending and shimmer are the best I've seen of any fixture. It's deceptively powerful so start low, my lfs has a few of them set up beside other brands and kessil wins easy. Link to comment
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