Beginers live rock lights LED vs Hallides

tyreljsteines · 09/11/2014, 10:42 PM

Hi, my wife and I have a 20 gallon tank (24" wide, 12.5" deep, and like 16.5" tall). We have about 5 live rocks, 3 fake rocks, 2 green gobies, a yellow watchman goby, a pencil urchin (about 2.5" diameter), 3 little hermits, and a turbo snail. We just want to keep our live rock healthy, and whatever grows on them alive. My current light situation is dismal to say the best. I am looking at lights, but can't afford huge prices. I was looking at the Marineland Reef Capable LED light ($84.99).

http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Ree.../dp/B00494NBPE

Would this suit my needs for keeping more than pineapple sponges growing?

Suggestions for cheaper lights, not looking to grow fancy stuff, but keep live rock happy.

A little more added, and completely open to suggestions. We are hoping to finish off the tank by adding a cleaner shrimp (ours died after 2 years), and a clown fish. Also I have heard that arrowhead crabs are good for worms, but I haven't looked up the specs on them yet and if it would be okay for our tank. I do know that the pencil urchin in not "safe" for reef because every month or so he mows down stuff.

Looking for a little help.

mcgyvr · 09/12/2014, 05:11 AM

Corals need light.. Rocks/fish/inverts do not.
Any light you choose will be fine.

alton · 09/12/2014, 05:19 AM

I would go with Build My Led, not much more and at least you could add corals in the near future, and color looks better

jlpropst00 · 09/12/2014, 05:41 AM

I would look at the Current USA Orbit Led it's like $105 on Amazon. I have one on my 10g it's bright but also has 2 fully dimmable channels, 24h ramp up timer, a remote. It's a great light if you just want softies and such.

GroktheCube · 09/12/2014, 09:43 AM

Agree with buildmyled. Those strips are perfect for that.

tyreljsteines · 09/18/2014, 09:34 PM

Thanks

tyreljsteines · 09/18/2014, 09:36 PM

I found a guy selling a 36" T5HO with four bulbs/timer/night LED light. He used it for 10 months and then got a different job which doesn't allow him to have four tanks anymore so he was selling it for $100. I know it is going to cost approximatley $6 per month, but my old light was lik3 4.50 per month anyway. Plus this allows me to upgrade in the future to a 36" tank.

It is so much brighter than my old one you can see so much.

09/11/2014, 10:42 PM	#1
tyreljsteines Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	Beginers live rock lights LED vs Hallides Hi, my wife and I have a 20 gallon tank (24" wide, 12.5" deep, and like 16.5" tall). We have about 5 live rocks, 3 fake rocks, 2 green gobies, a yellow watchman goby, a pencil urchin (about 2.5" diameter), 3 little hermits, and a turbo snail. We just want to keep our live rock healthy, and whatever grows on them alive. My current light situation is dismal to say the best. I am looking at lights, but can't afford huge prices. I was looking at the Marineland Reef Capable LED light ($84.99). http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Ree.../dp/B00494NBPE Would this suit my needs for keeping more than pineapple sponges growing? Suggestions for cheaper lights, not looking to grow fancy stuff, but keep live rock happy. A little more added, and completely open to suggestions. We are hoping to finish off the tank by adding a cleaner shrimp (ours died after 2 years), and a clown fish. Also I have heard that arrowhead crabs are good for worms, but I haven't looked up the specs on them yet and if it would be okay for our tank. I do know that the pencil urchin in not "safe" for reef because every month or so he mows down stuff. Looking for a little help.

09/12/2014, 05:41 AM	#4
jlpropst00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cordova, TN Posts: 40	I would look at the Current USA Orbit Led it's like $105 on Amazon. I have one on my 10g it's bright but also has 2 fully dimmable channels, 24h ramp up timer, a remote. It's a great light if you just want softies and such. __________________ *** 10G NANO REEF. ***

09/12/2014, 05:11 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Corals need light.. Rocks/fish/inverts do not. Any light you choose will be fine.

09/12/2014, 05:19 AM	#3
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I would go with Build My Led, not much more and at least you could add corals in the near future, and color looks better

09/12/2014, 09:43 AM	#5
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	Agree with buildmyled. Those strips are perfect for that.

09/18/2014, 09:34 PM	#6
tyreljsteines Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	Thanks

09/18/2014, 09:36 PM	#7
tyreljsteines Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	I found a guy selling a 36" T5HO with four bulbs/timer/night LED light. He used it for 10 months and then got a different job which doesn't allow him to have four tanks anymore so he was selling it for $100. I know it is going to cost approximatley $6 per month, but my old light was lik3 4.50 per month anyway. Plus this allows me to upgrade in the future to a 36" tank. It is so much brighter than my old one you can see so much.