Best LED fixture for 36L x 18W x 24H tank

[jayjay5531]

My tank is 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches tall. It's a FOWLR with 3 blue-green chromises, 2 ocellaris clowns, 2 firefish, 3 banggai cardinals, 1 royal gramma, 1 dwarf flame angel, and 1 orchid dottyback.

I don't have corals or anemones but eventually one day I will probably want to. Someone suggested this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INM0J1M/?tag=aqualedlight-20
Is this too small? There's an unremovable 1.5 inch-wide plastic strip running across the top of the tank, from the front to the back - it could obstruct the light? Would I have to hang it high above the tank in order for the light to penetrate throughout the entire volume of the tank? (The fixture is only 8x16). Are there any good LED fixtures that you don't have to hang from the ceiling?

Eventually, would a fixture like this be strong enough for SPS but weak enough to not damage the more sensitive less-demanding corals?

Obviously I have a lot more research to do about corals and I won't be getting them for a long time. But meanwhile I want to get a light that will work long-term.

Also (hopefully not opening a whole can of worms here) - but I'm not necessarily losing out on anything by using LEDs instead of T5HOs, right?

 

[RobZilla04]

Amazon Viparspectra. Probably your best bang for your buck. Prices only go up from there as you get into the brand names.

 

[Ron Reefman]

That fixture is strong enough to grow corals just fine. But understand that it only covers a roughly 2'x2' area in the tank. So you either have way less light at the ends of the tank or you need to get 2 and then you'll have more than enough light to grow anything.

 

[sde1500]

It would work, but get two to cover the full tank. And LED vs T5 is a giant can of worms, with no good answer. Short of it is, those LEDs will grow coral. The argument is over can they do it as well as t5.

 

[jayjay5531]

Thanks everyone! My other concern is, is it possible for two of those fixtures to provide too MUCH light and damage sensitive corals/anemones?

 

[chi]

I've got a 24x24x24 tank and started off with one of those fixture. Not enough coverage. Now running two and am much happier. For your dimensions, I'd say two at least especially if you want to keep sps.

 

[jayjay5531]

Short of it is, those LEDs will grow coral. The argument is over can they do it as well as t5.

I'm curious, what is your opinion on this?

 

[guarda]

Thanks everyone! My other concern is, is it possible for two of those fixtures to provide too MUCH light and damage sensitive corals/anemones?

Don't worry. As per specs...

- Fully Manual Dimmable, Light Intensity Adjustable from 0% to 100%. Two Dimmers, two power cords and two on/off switches (2pcs Separate Dimmers for Controlling 2 Separate series circuit)

 

[sde1500]

I'm curious, what is your opinion on this?

I use an LED light. Light is light, as long as it is proper spectrum and intensity it will grow corals all the same.

 

[gigamanx]

I've had 2x 16" SB Reef Lights for 6 months and very, very pleased. I run them at about 20% and have had good coral growth. Had a little bleaching when I first had them up to 40% so yes you can have TOO much light. They run very quiet. 2 lights barely covers my 18"x22"x72" tank. I will probably get a third for coverage or just try and run these two a bit higher above the tank. They sit about 12" above the tank right now. Prior, I had four T5 lights. Worked well but had to buy new bulbs every 12 months and they put off too much heat in the summer so the tank was always running warm.

 

[stelliofleondis]

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dim...&qid=1485492508&sr=1-1&keywords=mars+aqua+300
the 165 watt one only cover a 2x2ft area

 

[KnightReefer19]

I've got a kessil a160we tuna blue on my 29 gal biocube that works well with my tank. It actually spreads too much and causes the light to bleed and spread further than the tank itself. It grows lps with ease, not sps so much. If you want sps I'd suggest a stronger LED


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CrayolaViolence]

I've had kessils, I've had the Chinese black box, I still have an AI, and the best growth and health I ever got was when I switched to T5 lighting. I still have those lights, the others I don't. Except for the AI puck which is over a clownfish tank but I'm not trying to grow anything.