Corals for the first time!

[jackinthebox8332]

Hello, I am getting ready to add corals to my 100 gal tank. To this juncture, I have a FOWLR tank and have my chemistry down, and have already done extensive research and education on corals and their necessary environment.

My last quest is upgrading my lighting system, and I want to use LED. The goal is a mixed reef tank. The issue I would like input is choosing the proper light fixtures. I am not inclined to spend hundreds on one fixture, any thoughts would be appreciated,!

 

[Reefing102]

Welcome to RC!

Most reef LEDs nowadays can support most corals. Without knowing a budget or dimensions of the tank it’s hard to give good reccomendations but if you want the best bang for your buck, I’d look at quanta atlas or Reefi Uno. Both are mid range priced at around $500 per fixture, you’d just need to look at the lighting footprint to determine how many you’d need.

If that’s outside your price range, but you’re still wanting a fairly decent light, the Smatfarm LED systems on Amazon are pretty decent. I own an older version. Grows anemones just fine. The spectrum is lacking though in my opinion (not a strong “pop” in the blue spectrum). Another option is Glowrium Saltwater Aquarium Light on Amazon. No personal experience here but I’ve heard and seen good things across various forums with them. Lastly there’s the NiCrew Hypereef. Again no personal experience here, just heard good things. Personally not a fan of NiCrew based on experience with a completely different light fixture but the vast majority of users of the hypereef agree it’s a good fixture. All of these will be roughly $100-$200 per fixture. That’s about as low end price wise as you’re going to get.

Hope this helps some!

 

[griss]

Like Shane said^, what are the dimensions of the aquarium and what corals (softies, LPS, SPS) do you plan on keeping?

 

[wvned]

You need about 100 watts of LEDs per 24X24 of tank at standard depths of 18-30 inches.
There are so many choices now. How important is a easy app to you?
My choice was Noopsyche K7s in an LED "hybrid" fixture. The hybrids were called Coral Covers. I see they arent around anymore.

This was cheaper than using Hyrda 32s at the time.
There was a time that AI Hydras, Ecotech Radions and Kesil lights were the standards other lighting systems were measured by.
But time has moved on. They are big bucks too. Paying for them doesn't guarantee success.
So look for a lighting system that is 100-140w for each 2 feet of your tank that you can make do what you want. Ramp, timer, color channels, color temperature, etc...

$149.00 now 140W.
Your lights make your system. Go a little big on them.

The current trend seems to be bars that reach across the tank. Anything can work if you get enough watts over the tank and understand how to set them.
Ya it's scary. It has been for a while. Especially for us that bought a light and plugged it into a mechanical timer to turn it off and on, that all there was to it.

 

[griss]

@wvned where are you seeing that price in the K7? Everything I’m seeing on Amazon is much higher price.

 

[wvned]

NOOPSYCHE K7 V3 aquarium led saltwater coral light for USA
on the page I bought mine from both times. That is a light that comes with nothing you have to hang yourself, which is what I wanted.
The one with a mounting arm is $179.10

 

[wvned]

and I am not suggesting these are the best thing out there now. That was a few years ago.

 

[griss]

NOOPSYCHE K7 V3 aquarium led saltwater coral light for USA
on the page I bought mine from both times. That is a light that comes with nothing you have to hang yourself, which is what I wanted.
The one with a mounting arm is $179.10

But wow, great price.

 

[wvned]

Convinced myself. I bought 4 to change the 4 older ones that are programmed with the remote. That is difficult but possible if I can find the printed directions.
I have 10 running and none have had issues except the 6 network ones update the clocks when the time changes for DST while the 4 on the remote dont unless I find the paper and reset the clock on them.
If the power does out the newer ones can go out of sync but they go back as soon as you connect to them with the app. The Coral Covers do that too.

I will keep the 4 as spares. More stuff in boxes...
Both Viparspectras have died from salt. Apparently my fuge is splashing a lot sometimes though it never does it when I aam looking at it.

 

[Uncle99]

If cost is an issue, Viparspectra 165w $100 or Willis $100 per unit.
Each does 24x24x24….grows anything. Now running 5 years.
Comes with hanging kit included.
Just an adjustment for blues and whites. Very simple.
Can be daisy changed up to 5 units.
Everyone has their own thinking when it comes to lights.
Depends largely on your budget but virtually all reef units beyond 90watts will grow corals,

 

[Cdentata]

I have a rimmed 55g tank, dimensions 48” L x 18” D x 12” W. I currently have AI’s Blade Coral Grow. It is about two years old and one bank of the LED’s is not working correctly. I am debating whether to have AI repair it or buy a new light. I paid about $450 at the time and prefer not to spend more than that. Due to the location of my tank, I need a low profile light. I currently rest the light directly on the tank although I should probably lift it off the tank a few inches. It has gotten wet at times. I have mesh screens over my tank and salt does get on the light. I appreciate any advice or suggestions.

 

[Uncle99]

$450 and 2 years is exactly why at least for me, the $100 Chinese black box makes great sense.
Lights close the water deteriorate quick via salt corrosion. That’s one reason why you see lights mounted very high in coral growouts.

My first lights cost me about $1000, had a ton of controls and effects but things started to go south after just one year.

I was so disappointed, but understand the “where” they are….just above saltwater.

So I tried my first $100 LED Chinese black box, at the time Viparspectra was the one. That was 2017. It’s still running today.

Unfortunately you may not have enough room height wise, you would need at least 16” to allow for being say 10” (I’m 18” above water) and a few inches for heat disapate.

What I learned was price had ZERO to do with coral growth and colour and all the control worked against me as I constantly played with them. Once I set and forget, I’ve never touched them again.

This hybrid lighting over my 180g all for $800. Could have spent $3,000!
The one in the middle 8 years….all others now 5 years running.

 

[wvned]

Viparspectras could never get to the color I wanted. They only have 2 channels. Blue and everything else. On off control and a set power level. I use them over my fuge. They are great for that.

Noopsyches have 6 color channels, ramping, can do moonlight and I use them at 8 inches over the tank. 140 vs 165 watts, You arent going to run them 100% anyway.