Newbie looking for lighting tips

M

money88

New member
So I am making the leap into my first reef tank and am looking for some suggestions on the lighting in which I need.

I have a 30 gallon tank ~30 x 13 x 18.5 (L x W x H)

I plan on starting with some Dry live rock, live sand etc and then cycle the tank. I think I want to start with a clown and a BTA and eventually add some other LPS corals.

What sort of lighting requirements do I have? Does anyone have any suggested solutions that wouldn't break the bank and/or possibly setup to lay across the top of the tank as well.

Thanks for the help!
 
What is your budget? Is there a certain type of light your more intrested in like mh, t5, led's ect.

Either way i would wait 8-10 months before adding an anemone, thiss way the tank will be stable and youll have a feel for how the tank works.
 
Thanks, I have been lurking here a few weeks already. I have learned a lot already really some good information on these forums.

Dont really have a preference in the type. I am currently most familiar with the T5s but otherwise whatever is provides enough light for some beginner LPS corals, hoping that it can stay under $400. $100-300 would be ideal but dont want to skimp on a light fixture as it is essentially the lifeblood of the tank. I can afford a higher price if it really will make a huge difference but as a first reef tank I dont want to break the bank, because I know if i love this first tank I will be upgrading to a larger size once I move with a sump etc.

Also some other info about the tank. I am running a neo therm 100watt heater, a bak-pak 2r+ (was thinking of doing the airstone mod), and currently have 1 425 gph hydor koralia powerhead.
 
I have not bought but have done numerous research here and online and strictly it comes down to what you want to grow ive found and biggest thing is how much you wish to spend as mentioned above !

Leds seem to be the most costly however they are cheapest to power and
no maint as metal halides and t5s require constant bulb changes !

I am strictly a newbie who has spent the last month looking at suggestions and
this is what ive found and not saying one is better than the other . I strongly suggest researching and buying what you want ! i am debating between kessils
with a controller are close to $ 1200 for my tank and an it8021 which is 500 bucks ! choose wisely as you will be living with your decision for a while

Best of luck !
 
Look up marsaqua led's for a cheap but gets lots of great reviews. Me personally dont use led's but have seen some nice tanks with them.

T5's can get spendy unless you have a canopy and can do a retofit system. But a 4 bulb t5 setup would be plenty enough.

And if you want mh then a 175w system would also be plenty
 
Lot's of good choices out there. 2 Kessil 160we's, 2 mars aqua (on ebay), 1 photon 24" (euphotica 24" on ebay or amazon). You could get away with 1 mars aqua but you'll have shadows on the corners. If you don't need the programability, the mars aqua are hard to beat. If you'd like to set a schedule and have the light turn itself on/off/adjust, the photon or euphotica is the way to go. If it helps, I had 2 kessil 160we's on my 40B and they were great. When I upgraded to a 125, they became far from adequate. Picked up a euphotica 16" and it is easily twice as bright. Just ordered 2 more 16" ones.
 
stingeragent said:
Lot's of good choices out there. 2 Kessil 160we's, 2 mars aqua (on ebay), 1 photon 24" (euphotica 24" on ebay or amazon). You could get away with 1 mars aqua but you'll have shadows on the corners. If you don't need the programability, the mars aqua are hard to beat. If you'd like to set a schedule and have the light turn itself on/off/adjust, the photon or euphotica is the way to go. If it helps, I had 2 kessil 160we's on my 40B and they were great. When I upgraded to a 125, they became far from adequate. Picked up a euphotica 16" and it is easily twice as bright. Just ordered 2 more 16" ones.
Click to expand...

This guy is smart... Personally I do the 2 kessil 160we, I have personal experience with them and you won't regret it. That being said any of these lighting options will work as well as a slough of others, but after switching to kessils i can't imagine going back.
 
I loved my Kessil's also, and still do. Just depends on the tank though. I went with the euphotica's because I still wanted light control, but didn't wanna have to spend 1200+ for 3 360's. The 160's just don't cut it on a 125. On the OP's tank though, 2 160's would be more than enough. Even a single 160we would be fine provided no SPS. I ran a single 160 on a 40B for a bit and the shadowing wasn't too terrible, although unless your on a 24" in cube, the point source kessil usually need 2 to prevent some shadowing.
 
Thanks for all the advice so far! So looking at the 160s you mention above how do you set those up? those look much different than any other lighting setups I have seen before.
 
money88 said:
Thanks for all the advice so far! So looking at the 160s you mention above how do you set those up? those look much different than any other lighting setups I have seen before.
Click to expand...

They just hang above the tank, most people buy the gooseneck for them that is also made by kessil. You just hang it above the tank and the light spreads out to cover an 18"x18" area.
like so
IMG_0623_zpsn9dgncrd.jpg
 
stingeragent said:
Lot's of good choices out there. 2 Kessil 160we's, 2 mars aqua (on ebay), 1 photon 24" (euphotica 24" on ebay or amazon). You could get away with 1 mars aqua but you'll have shadows on the corners. If you don't need the programability, the mars aqua are hard to beat. If you'd like to set a schedule and have the light turn itself on/off/adjust, the photon or euphotica is the way to go. If it helps, I had 2 kessil 160we's on my 40B and they were great. When I upgraded to a 125, they became far from adequate. Picked up a euphotica 16" and it is easily twice as bright. Just ordered 2 more 16" ones.
Click to expand...

What types of corals did you keep in the 40B under the 2 Kessil 160we's?
I'm building a 40B now and plan to keep a mixed reef with an emphasis on SPS. Also, do you have pics?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Lighting Advise for 36 x 18 SPS
Replies
7
Views
459
Uncle99
Uncle99
F
Any pointers for moving a large and heavy tank into the basement?
Replies
16
Views
484
Puggz
P
A
DRILL aquarium only 1 DownPipe?
Replies
0
Views
263
Andrés Garza
A
E
Wall Mounting Light Bar
Replies
3
Views
110
wvned
wvned
S
Lighting Question - Glass penetration
Replies
7
Views
190
xabo
xabo
Back
Top