Nano/Pico Lighting needs question

[TurboWagon]

Hi Everyone,

Im thinking about getting back into the hobby. Its been about 3 years. Maybe at with sometime small like a 6-8 gallon. Still on the fence about it. I guess its all going to depend on the cost.

Im thinking of keeping it simple with mainly acans, zoas and lps. The only sps I would probably throw in there is a monti of some sort because Ive had good luck with them. Also maybe a clam (again due to past experience)

Do you have suggestions on lighting I should consider? Should I go for one of those kits like the Aquastyle and Fluval or would I still need to upgrade those lights? Not too familiar with how the LEDs have been doing. I picked up a Maxspect in my last tank and it didnt do too well. Looks like a lot of them are now adjustable so maybe I'll have better luck this time around.

The LFS told me to pick up the AI Nano which shut down my plans for a budget nano. They might have thought I was going with a bunch of SPS' though.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[ryeguyy84]

i've had good luck with my innovative marine nuvo 4. I bought the tank for $150 added rocks, sand, water, corals then the corals weren't looking so good so I bought 4 3W LED's from Rapidled and gutted the stock light and put them in. now everyone is happy.

 

[jmifland]

Do you happen to have pictures of your modified light? Was it as simple as replacing the stock LED with a CREE LED or did you have to change any wiring? I just looked up the 4W Clamp LED from IM and it only uses 3 LEDs so I'm curious how you set it up using 4.

I currently have a CADlights 4G that I plan to setup for Acans and some SPS. Was originally going to get either a PAR30 or PAR38 but I wasn't sure if the PAR30 would be enough for SPS or if the PAR38 would burn the Acans even at the bottom.

 

[cnseekatz]

Just buy a PAR 38 bulb and be done with it. If you shop around you can probably find one for around $50. Get the 36 watt bulb (12 leds), and you'll be able to support any of the stuff you mentioned.

 

[jmifland]

Where are you finding $50 PAR38 bulbs? I see LEDtric selling a Full Spectrum PAR38 with 12 LEDs for $79.99 and RapidLED is selling their actinic PAR38 for the same price and the one that includes the UV for $89.99 but doesn't include the full spectrum (red and cyan).

LEDtric:

http://www.ledtric.com/led-components/ledtric-par38-full-spectrum-18w-reeflamp/

RapidLED:

http://www.rapidled.com/12-led-par38-bulb-actinic/
http://www.rapidled.com/12-led-par38-bulb-mixed-color-with-uv/

 

[fishystream]

Only PAR38's I have seen at that price are from The Home Depot. But I dont think they have the spectrum needed.

 

[cnseekatz]

I got this bulb from Coral Compulsion (http://coralcompulsion.com/led/led-36w-14k-dim). Try checking ebay... They have an ebay store, and I bought it for $50. It might have been a great find, but you shouldn't have to pay more than $80-90.

 

[cnseekatz]

Here's one... the spectrum might be a little white, but you get the idea:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reef-Coral-...495?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460c07e827

 

[bdevillier]

get the par38 from reefbreeders. its full spectrum, dimmable, and $89 shipped. or go with LEDtric full spectrum, just not dimmable

 

[Reef Doctor]

Seems these Par38 bulbs are pretty varied in bulb wavelengths. Some are blue/white, others have some deep reds, cyan, UV, and I think the coral compulsion one has green.

Any idea if any of these alternate colors are important for coral growth, or is it just visual preference.

I can't find any photos of what the different bulbs look like on a tank?