Need advice before I buy. JBJ 28g Nano Cube CF-Quad vs Intermediate LED

[Wolfsblood]

While I would like to start with plain glass tank and customize it myself I live in a 1 bedroom apartment so space is limited. I have only found 1 tank other than an AIO with the proper dimensions for the area I have. I am looking at the JBJ Nano Cube tanks because Drs Foster and Smith have a good deal that comes with a free stand. I am having a hard time deciding between the CF-Quad model and the Intermediate LED. CF-Quad is 105W PC and LED is 27W(25 1Ws and 4 0.5w moonlights.) I plan on keeping soft corals and LPS only(Zoas, Rics, GSP, Hammer, Duncan, Chalice, Plate, Brain, Kenya tree are what I am planning on). No SPS. I figure the price difference between the 2 will be equal after the first bulb change on the CF-Quad. My question is which one of these lights will be more capable of supporting the corals I want to keep? I know the Marineland fixtures use 1W LEDs and they are garbage. Is it the same deal with the nano cube led? I know the advanced LED kit would be great but there is no way I can afford it. I am not willing to get the HQI version because I can't afford the cost of a chiller or the extra power to operate it(I live in hot So Cali so it would be a necessity). I am not willing to remove the hood to run a custom fixture. The only thing I may be willing to do is get the CF-Quad and do the Rapidled retrofit about a year from now but I'd rather not. Which kit would you buy and why? Please help this is a big purchase for me. Thanks!

Links to the tanks:
CF-Quad: http://www.drsfoster...83&pcatid=21183
LED: http://www.drsfoster...fm?pcatid=23535

 

[jeffaquarius]

During the early stage of your reef tank, the lighting is not that critical. If fact during cycling which may take at least 2 weeks you do not need it. If you choose the CF-Quad you will need to change the bulbs after about 6 months. If you decide on LED model it will be useless on corals. However, it will take about 6 months before your tank is ready for corals and that's when you upgrade your lighting fixture. I would pick the LED model just to save power and less heat while the fish can't complain.

 

[Wolfsblood]

Thanks. I have had a couple reef tanks in the past but that was when I had more space. So you are saying the led intermediate model won't support coral?

 

[jeffaquarius]

That 1-watt LEDs will barely support corals. May be mushrooms and other not light demanding corals. Impossible for nems. The CF model would be fine.