lights for a 20 nano reef

[cgthebeast]

Okay, I`m looking for lights for a 20 gallon nano reef that I`m starting, somewhere between 50-100 dollars. I`m planning to grow soft corals and mabye a clam. It`s a regular 20 gallon you but from wal mart.

 

[HusbandsTank]

We also have a 20g and use and par38 led bulb like this one....http://www.ecoxotic.com/ecoxotic-par38-aquarium-led-lights.html

I rigged it from the ceiling using a basic shade and fixture (just the kind with a cord and where you screw the bulb in) from ikea.

Im happy with it.

 

[cgthebeast]

Awesome, thats what I was orginally thinking but somebody told me that it wouldn`t work.

 

[HusbandsTank]

Our corals are doing well with it.

 

[cgthebeast]

Alright, what do you about this onehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/PAR30-LED-Aquarium-coral-reef-light-Custom-made-BRAND-NEW-PAR38-nano-pico-tank-/200887079170?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec5cd9102

 

[HusbandsTank]

I couldnt find the wattage on there, maybe message the seller? Also the par 30 is smaller than the par 38. I saw the seller has a par 38 but its full spectrum, not blue/white.

 

[HusbandsTank]

This might be a better option, i know its more money but they are a reputable brand and its bigger.

http://www.rapidled.com/12-led-par38-bulb-mixed-color-with-uv/

 

[cgthebeast]

I looked at it and it said the seller wasn`t able to be contacted.

 

[cgthebeast]

I just found this, Abi PAR38 Blue White LED Aquarium Grow Light Bulb 12W | eBay

 

[patrickriley2010]

PetSolutions: Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System with Timer - YouTube

 

[Fish4ever]

Go to Home Depot, they have these LED lights there that i might use on a fluval spec , the wattage range from 25-120

 

[cgthebeast]

Alright thanks. Are they blue or like spot lights.

 

[HusbandsTank]

You arent going to find kelvins high enough to get the blue look at the home depot, guess it depends what you are looking for? Also, the "standard" ive heard for the leds is at least 1 watt per gal. Thats very rough but it gives you an idea.

 

[AquaRick]

Clams require very strong lighting which I don't believe a par 38 will give.

 

[cgthebeast]

Ok I found a light that has 24 watts on eBay ill post a link when I get home

 

[cgthebeast]

alright here it ishttp://www.ebay.com/itm/14-20-Aquarium-3W-x-20-Clip-On-LED-Light-Reef-Hard-Soft-Coral-Ready-NEW-/221187808985?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337fd21ed9&afsrc=1

 

[Ingy]

I looked at that light. They advertise 1900 lum for 20 bulbs which is only 95 lum per bulb. HQ now use Cree lights which they advertise at 100 lum/watt. That means either they are seriously under driving the 3 watt leds to only 1 watt or MHX uses an old led by HQ that HQ no longer uses and it only provides about 32 lum/watt.

OK, I saw where you post its a 24 W light, which means they under drive the bulbs. So even tho they say 3 W leds, consider them long life 1.2 W leds. So it will be OK for some corals, but not for a clam.

 

[cgthebeast]

Alright thanks. Do u have any suggestions on a light then off eBay? It had 2 be under 100 $ because I still have to buy my live rock and equipment. If there's a light that can support a clam under 100. Great, but because if my limited budget a light that can support support various soft corals such as frogspawn Kenya tree ,bird nest, and zoas. Please post a link.

 

[Ingy]

I don't know if you'll be able to get an appropriate light for a clam (high light req'mt) for under $100. But you can for some corals. However, if you want the clam, I would save money on the rocks, and get dry rocks rather than live rocks. Dry rocks will become live rocks over time. A bad light will not become a good light over time.

 

[cgthebeast]

Yep , I'm going to try and do that but I'm going to buy at most 10 pounds of live rock to help me cycle this tank.