Corals/lighting

[KantGetRite]

I need some help with coral choices.

This is my lighting for my 10g right now. I'm currently preparing to move everything to a 20g long I recently acquired. Any suggestions on upgrading the lighting?

EVO 18 LED Reef Bright

For the time being I'm using that light on my 20g. If I can grow coral with it then I'll keep it. If I need to upgrade I will try but I need good lights at good prices. (I have a limited budget)

 

[Macscale]

You'll have to upgrade. Look at the eBay LEDS or par38s

 

[KantGetRite]

Found this.... Will it work?

Aquatic Life EDGE LED Aquarium Light - 24"

 

[Macscale]

I think that is targeted for planted freshwater.

A lot of people use these:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/370857093101?nav=SEARCH

There are blue and white ones too.

If you want something with all the bells and whistles, try the orbit marine LED. The LEDS are .25 watts, but it works for softies and LPS, ask Carey about it. She just got one for a 40b.

 

[KantGetRite]

How about this one?

Full Spectrum 120W Dimmable LED Aquarium Light Coral Marine Reef Fixture Lamp | eBay

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

That looks good

 

[KantGetRite]

LED Aquarium Lighting by BeamsWork

Would this be good? Or not at all?

 

[ezy33]

Check on the warranty for any light. I believe Aqua Traders is very limited. I bought a 72 inch MH fixture that lasted less than 6 months.

 

[Macscale]

LED Aquarium Lighting by BeamsWork



Would this be good? Or not at all?

Probably not, there was some debate over the beams work that was meant to grow corals, some had success and some didn't,

In reality, to grow anything, if go with the eBay ones, the full spectrum has a really purple hue.

 

[mr_X]

What corals do you intend to keep in your 20?

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

That light says "soft coral reef" I've never seen that. The 1 watt LEDs would lead me to believe that light won't grow much, probably have anything below the half way point in your tank reaching for light

 

[KantGetRite]

I think I'm just going to go with the full spectrum led light.

Mr. X I'd like to be able to grow whatever I want. I currently have a green hairy mushroom and tubbs blue zoa in my 10g that I will transfer over. Past that I haven't done much planning in regards to specific corals.

 

[Macscale]

The ebays will allow you to grow whatever you want, you'll have to dim them though.

 

[KantGetRite]

165W LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Coral Reef Dimmable Light Lamp Fish Tank | eBay

I ordered this

 

[Macscale]

Looks good! It is the epistar chip not the bridgelux, just incase.

 

[mr_X]

Yep, that will have to be dimmed way down. I can't believe they say it's for a 20 gallon tank.

 

[KantGetRite]

So I'll hook up the day time lights to one timer and the moon lights to another, correct? Then just leave the switches on and dim them appropriately? How do I know how much to dim?

 

[mr_X]

Correct. I would start them at about 20%. you will have to look at your corals and judge how much to turn it up, unless you have a PAR meter, and even with one of those you aren't going to get an accurate reading with LED. If your corals turn brown, they need more light, if they bleach, too much light. Shrivel up, less light, swell to increase surface area-more light.

 

[KantGetRite]

Good to know....thanks!