Lighting

[AMaintC]

There are so many different articles and opinions out there that suggests this light is better because this, or that, but I can't find anything that

will tell you what you NEED. So here's what I need: I have a 25g hex tank, (so it's deep, not long) with a mushroom, 1Royal Gramma, 1 Tailspot Blenny, and 3 Hermit crabs; I would like to get a lot more color (coral) in there and I know lighting is a big deal. I have a $60 Marineland white/blue LED that took a swim and now the blue doesn't work, guess it's time for an upgrade; but to what? I could really use some help because I don't even know where to start...

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[Macscale]

Taotronics panel on eBay. Prices are extremely good right now on them. Full spectrum tablets going for about $100. They'll allow you to keep whatever. Just go to eBay and type in "Reef Led" or something to that extent and they will come up.

 

[mr_X]

Are you sure it's a 25 gallon? I can only find info (dimensions) of a 20 hex, and a 27. Both of those are 18" across, so I'm assuming yours is as well. What do you want to spend for lighting? The first thing that comes to mind is one of those Kessil pendants. The A350 maybe.
A cheaper option would be one of these-
New Dimmable 120W Aquarium Coral Reef Fish Tank White Blue LED Light Black Shell | eBay

 

[Macscale]

+1. On the Kessils if you have the money.

 

[mr_X]

...and here's another that's "full spectrum", as Macscale suggested. Any of the three will allow you to keep whatever you want in terms of photosynthetic creatures-
Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Kit Free Hanger Full Spectrum Reef Coral Grow | eBay

 

[mr_X]

One more thing I'd like to mention- Flow will be hard to achieve in a tank like this. It's definitely going to be a challenge to keep a healthy reef with more sensitive corals.

 

[Macscale]

One more thing I'd like to mention- Flow will be hard to achieve in a tank like this. It's definitely going to be a challenge to keep a healthy reef with more sensitive corals.

Hmm.. This is very true. I'm not sure how you'd achieve the correct amount of flow.

 

[Redwolf91]

Friend of mine made a flow system of sorts for a set up he was having trouble getting flow where he wanted. Had to empty the tank to do it though. He basically created "flow outlets" in various parts of the tank using 3/4" pvc, ran it under substrate, and had it coming out under rock piles where he wanted it. Controlled the flow with gate valves off a manifold he made underneath. Took much less time than it sounded like, but he had it all planned out before cutting the first piece of plumbing.

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[AMaintC]

I'm sure it's 25g, I can't find it on the internet either. I've been looking for a hood bc mine broke and that's why the light took a dive, no cover. I will definitely look into the web sites listed, thanks all for the input. Also, thanks Redwolf, I'll definitely look into that as well. Though I fear I'll be scrapping this tank and be moving to larger scale shortly. ?

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[bribo12]

I'd do the kessil a360w pendant. Great light.

 

[mr_X]

I'd do the kessil a360w pendant. Great light.

Do you really think the wide angle is needed with this 18" span?

 

[bribo12]

True it doesn't need the wide lens so the 350 would work.

 

[AMaintC]

Yeah, $300+ is going to be out of the question for this one, maybe the upgrade though. So I'm guessing I need a full spectrum, does it have to be LED? And what wattage/lumines should I be looking for?

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[bribo12]

The ones mr x posted would work. And no it doesn't need to be full spectrum.