Lighting options

Crumpy · 03/07/2015, 11:14 PM

Hey everyone in new to the forum, this is my first post 😋 . So I'm kinda new to the hoby and yes I know that smaller tanks are harder to maintain. I've been doing a lot of research and I feel like I am capable of keeping up with a smaller tank . So my question to everyone is led lighting I'm trying not to break the bank account ... I've been researching lights for the past few days and I really have no clue as to what I need ... I'm trying to have a reef tank with corals like frog spawn ( mainly soft corals) some zoanthids, and not likely but possibly in far future a sps... Also a cleaner shrimp and a clown fish .. But I don't know what type of lighting is acceptable .. Or even what colors I need them to be .. I've been looking at the orbit 18 inch by current usa ... Only because it looks simple and pretty much does everything .. Or the wave point 12 inch light 16w... Open to suggestions let me know what you think

30g · 03/08/2015, 12:25 AM

I have 2 usa orbit marines on my 75g, one for front and back half. I can grow any corals,,,, I even don't run them both at 100%. With these lights you can use the 4 pre-programmed modes or adjust the output however you want. When I was at 100% I killed a zoa and an acan frag that I put too high in the tank. If you get one (I had a small one on my 30g before) you can keep all but the highest light required corals. Some may disagree but I disagree....LOL

30g · 03/08/2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crumpy

Hey everyone in new to the forum, this is my first post 😋 . So I'm kinda new to the hoby and yes I know that smaller tanks are harder to maintain. I've been doing a lot of research and I feel like I am capable of keeping up with a smaller tank . So my question to everyone is led lighting I'm trying not to break the bank account ... I've been researching lights for the past few days and I really have no clue as to what I need ... I'm trying to have a reef tank with corals like frog spawn ( mainly soft corals) some zoanthids, and not likely but possibly in far future a sps... Also a cleaner shrimp and a clown fish .. But I don't know what type of lighting is acceptable .. Or even what colors I need them to be .. I've been looking at the orbit 18 inch by current usa ... Only because it looks simple and pretty much does everything .. Or the wave point 12 inch light 16w... Open to suggestions let me know what you think

Make sure you get the light that covers the whole span with lights, not just the adjustment arms. So if you have 24" across, get a 24 to 36" light or whatever it is......

GT3000XX · 03/08/2015, 07:37 AM

You may want to wait a little bit. They are coming out with a pro version

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-...it-marine-pro/

Also check this company out

http://www.21ledusa.com/

Crumpy · 03/08/2015, 10:01 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice Ive really been digging the orbit so I might wait and see what is coming out! I'm not in any rush everyone told me patience is key so I might let my tank cycle and wait a few weeks after and just maintain the water and see how good I can keep it before I go putting anything in it . I really don't want to jump face first and have a disaster in my hands but thanks guys

03/07/2015, 11:14 PM	#1
Crumpy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 61	Lighting options Hey everyone in new to the forum, this is my first post 😋 . So I'm kinda new to the hoby and yes I know that smaller tanks are harder to maintain. I've been doing a lot of research and I feel like I am capable of keeping up with a smaller tank . So my question to everyone is led lighting I'm trying not to break the bank account ... I've been researching lights for the past few days and I really have no clue as to what I need ... I'm trying to have a reef tank with corals like frog spawn ( mainly soft corals) some zoanthids, and not likely but possibly in far future a sps... Also a cleaner shrimp and a clown fish .. But I don't know what type of lighting is acceptable .. Or even what colors I need them to be .. I've been looking at the orbit 18 inch by current usa ... Only because it looks simple and pretty much does everything .. Or the wave point 12 inch light 16w... Open to suggestions let me know what you think

03/08/2015, 12:25 AM	#2
30g Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 121	I have 2 usa orbit marines on my 75g, one for front and back half. I can grow any corals,,,, I even don't run them both at 100%. With these lights you can use the 4 pre-programmed modes or adjust the output however you want. When I was at 100% I killed a zoa and an acan frag that I put too high in the tank. If you get one (I had a small one on my 30g before) you can keep all but the highest light required corals. Some may disagree but I disagree....LOL

03/08/2015, 07:37 AM	#4
GT3000XX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 300	You may want to wait a little bit. They are coming out with a pro version http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-...it-marine-pro/ Also check this company out http://www.21ledusa.com/

03/08/2015, 10:01 PM	#5
Crumpy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 61	Thanks everyone for the advice Ive really been digging the orbit so I might wait and see what is coming out! I'm not in any rush everyone told me patience is key so I might let my tank cycle and wait a few weeks after and just maintain the water and see how good I can keep it before I go putting anything in it . I really don't want to jump face first and have a disaster in my hands but thanks guys