Need light recommendations!

[Hailblaze]

Hi, I am thinking of switching my 20 gallon long from freshwater to saltwater. I am upgrading my freshwater tank so I will have the tank available in around a few months.

Just had a few questions. (It's my first saltwater tank) 

I was looking at getting corals in the future so I need help choosing a light. I am currently using a NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light. I don't think this light will work for a reef. 

I don't have a massive amount of money available right now as I am saving for a car so nothing over 200$

I was also wondering about stocking ideas. I was looking at a pair of ocellaris clownfish but need some ideas for tankmates as I wanted some time to read up on them first.

Also any coral recommendations I was looking for at least a LPS for the clowns!

Thx

[Clown79]

A long tank is harder to light because most led fixtures are pendant so 2 will need to be required.

 

The one light I can think of that will run across the tank is the Current Orbit Marine.

 

You could get this and place higher up, it will give you more spread. Place higher light corals within the area of the light and low light ones on the edges.

 

https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Control-Dimmable-Aquarium-Spectrum/dp/B07SHR6HW1/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=viparspectra+165&qid=1562875990&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

 

Most lps are moderate light corals and there are lots of them that are great.

 

Duncan - varying

Frogspawn - varying 

Hammers - varying light

Acans- mid to high

Favia- lower light

Fungia plate - low to mod light

Chalice - low to mod light

Torches - varying

Leptoseris- low to mod

 

 

Other great corals are

 

Toadstool leathers

Ricordea mushrooms

Rhodactis mushroom

Discosoma mushroom

Montipora digitata 

Montipora capricornis

 

 

 

[Hailblaze]

I did look at that light but there was some varying reviews on it.

I just wanted to see what others thought of it in case there was something better.

Thanks for the info 🙂

 

[Clown79]

3 hours ago, Hailblaze said:

I did look at that light but there was some varying reviews on it.

I just wanted to see what others thought of it in case there was something better.

Thanks for the info 🙂

 

Many ppl use Chinese boxes with great success.

 

There are better lights but out of budget because on a long tank, you need 2.

 

Ai Prime

Kessil

Radion

Nanobox

 

You have Abi tuna blue par 38 23w(u need 2)

Or Current orbit marine(1)

[Mike P]

Some of these may work

https://www.marinedepot.com/LED_Strip_Lighting-FILTLS-ct.html

[xthunt]

I think on a long tank Id go with a strip light like the 24-36” Current Orbit. You could use a pendant light, probably stretch it with a single AI Prime, but you’ll be shining a lot of light outside the tank after it gets raised high enough. Another option is using a dual 24” t5ho fixture, maybe. 

 

Heres a long tank that was Tank of the Month that used a current orbit: