Help deciding on lights?? (1 Viewer)

[ELBeardedReefer]

For those who have a nano reef tank what light do you use, I'm coming back to the hobby after losing everything during the winter storm and I want to start small for now, so you can help recommend some lights I would appreciate it.

I have a waterbox mini peninsula 25

 

[NatesReef]

AI Prime HD or Maxspect Jump Led would be my choice.

 

[Seaworthy Aquatics]

What is that, 20"x24"? I use a Radion xr15 on my red sea 20 nano, just about perfect spread. I run it at 60% and have PAR for anything, so probably a touch overkill. A AI prime or Kessil 80 might do it, but might be a bit dark around the edges. What are you planning to grow?

 

[ELBeardedReefer]

What is that, 20"x24"? I use a Radion xr15 on my red sea 20 nano, just about perfect spread. I run it at 60% and have PAR for anything, so probably a touch overkill. A AI prime or Kessil 80 might do it, but might be a bit dark around the edges. What are you planning to grow?

I plan on having a mix reef, I want to try acros for the first time

 

[PorpoiseHork]

Take a look at the Reef Breeders Photon V2+ 24" would server you very well. They use the exact same LED's as the Hydras do and with the array being spread out they have a much more uniform light coverage with much less shadowing than single tight puck lights. I ran the 48" version nearly two years and loved it. At times wish I would have kept it instead of replacing it for the Hydras. The shadowing and par distribution was much better on the Photon. The down side to it was getting it dialed in with the right spectrum. While close to the hydras, the power settings are not exactly the same, but there is plenty of documentation out there to get you dialed in as long as you have a PAR meter. Plus they come with a 2 year standard warranty and Logan at Reef Breeders is fantastic with support.

Other options may be the a pair of Prime 16's but spread apart a little wider than what the hydra32's pucks are set to get more uniform coverage. I currently have a pair of Prime HD's on my innovative marine AIO 20. They are mounted on a pair of modified RedSea universal mounting arms and easily push 250+ Par at the sand bed at 26w (settings at 76,76,84,84,0,0,13). So these have more than enough to support SPS. Only thing to watch out for is there being too much light on softies and lps on a small tank that shallow. Zoas and shrooms are able to take high PAR but many LPS just cannot take it so you will need to be careful on placement.

 

[Seaworthy Aquatics]

I plan on having a mix reef, I want to try acros for the first time

I definitely like the Radions for acros, with Kessil being nearly identical. Costs a bit more since you can't go smaller like the Kessil and AI Prime or something like a 24" LED strip but will do the job very well. I don't have any acros in the 20g, but I run the radions on the tanks that I do and they love it.

 

[sneezebeetle]

I have a 10gl AIO currently. It is stocked with zoas, mushrooms, acans, welsoni, firework polyps, bowerbanki, goni, gsp, and nepthea....and I am even toying with the idea of throwing in a chalice...All my coral are thriving under my Redsea LED 50. They have a constant color pop, no orange filter required and the growth is outstanding. I am actually going to ditch my Radions and SB Reef Light over my main DT for the RedSea lights. Would definitely recommend.

My only issue isn't even with the lights themselves, i just can't seem to be able to take a good picture that really shows the colors well.

 

[Reefahholic]

AI prime for cheap quality light that will grow everything.