Setting Up My 75g... Lighting Options?

[crazyfins]

Let me start by saying I currently have a 54g Aqueon corner tank set up with a couple of small corals (haven't really had much luck with corals up to now) and four fish (1 yellow watchman goby, 1 strawberry dottyback, and 2 ocellaris clownfish). This tank has been running since about February after being upgraded from the 36g Aqueon bowfront tank that I started in last July.

I was using a 36" Marquis T5HO light (that I had bought for my 36g tank) on my 54g up until last Saturday, when I purchased a 36-48" Current Marine Orbit LED light from my LFS. My corals are much brighter now, so hopefully they'll grow some! I didn't buy the Current Marine Orbit Pro LED because I'm really not confident in my coral care taking abilities and didn't want to spend the extra money if I wasn't going to truly dedicate myself to the task. Also, a few guys at my local reef club meeting that day said coral would still grow under the Current Marine Orbit LED light if placed directly under it. Additionally, I'm currently using Fuel, Ions, Calcification, and Vibrance by AquaVitro. In the spirit of transparency, I just dose these every now and again and don't use the test kits that I have for calcium and magnesium levels. If I do end up undertaking corals more seriously, it'll be with the knowledge that I really need to start using those test kits and dosing more appropriately.

Based on that background information, I'm wondering if the 36-48" Current Marine Orbit LED, 36-48" Current Marine Orbit Pro LED, or some other light fixture (please, under $300, as that's my current budget) is best to be put on my 75g tank that I plan on setting up at the end of August? Just so you know, the dimensions of this 75g tank are 48" L x 18" D x 21" T.

Thank you in advance!

 

[gotwins86]

I currently am running 2 x 165w MarsAqua LEDs on my 75 Gallon. I am getting good coral growth on just about everything. If on a tight budget I'd recommend them. I got mine for around $180 total I believe. There is a long thread about them on this forum, if you want to read up on them.

 

[m_alrkyan]

If you are looking for something with good growth and budget stick with the T5 dont get the current USA it is not worth the money if I where you I would push it a little and go for AI or Maxspect

 

[madweazl]

If the 75g has the center top brace and you want LED, a pair of 16" units (like the black boxes previously mentioned) will work well to evenly light the tank in your price range (I'm using the SBReef versions right now).

48" T5s would also be a fantastic option but will probably run a bit more than you have budgeted.

 

[Ron Reefman]

How deep are the corals in your new tank? If they are less than 12" you should be OK, at 12" to 18" they get iffy, more than 18" and I wish you good luck. At the very best, it's just barely acceptable.

If I were you, I'd take the Current LED fixture back to the LFS and tell him... ******!
Anyway, most led fixtures have 3 watt and 5 watt leds, yours has 0.3 and 0.5 watt leds. How well do you think it will work. Sure they look bright to your eyes, but your eyes are not coral. This fixture is for 18" deep fixtures at best, 12" would be even better.

 

[crazyfins]

How does this seem? https://smile.amazon.com/Aquarium-Plant-spectrum-Dimmable-Lighting/dp/B019QAZX9C/ref=sr_1_16?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1468792777&sr=1-16&keywords=reef+coral+led+light

I'm not sure if we're allowed to post links like that or not. If not, then search for this on Amazon: 165W LED Aquarium Plant Light Full spectrum Dimmable LPS SPS Coral Reef Fish Tank Lighting. I'd be getting two of these for my 75g tank.

Thanks for all of the advice!!