Are these lights sufficient for coral growth

[saltyfilmfolks]

300w sounds like a lot what about this one I found on eBay? https://m.ebay.com/itm/180W-LED-Aqu...559224?hash=item3af48682f8:g:-BMAAOSw3ZtaMlEf

It’ll work.

IMO. You’ll want one the size of the tank.
Don’t pay attention to watts. (Dimmer) A 16” 165w can fry your 30in tank but only half. If it. Lol.
So a 300w is exactly the same light. Just twice as long.

Sorry I’m not sure how wide the tank is.

 

[cracker]

Hi Eleas, Are You a beginner? Consider just keeping fish for a while ,just to get a hang of the whole thing. This way You can use the light You have now !

 

[ileas12:]

It’ll work.

IMO. You’ll want one the size of the tank.
Don’t pay attention to watts. (Dimmer) A 16” 165w can fry your 30in tank but only half. If it. Lol.
So a 300w is exactly the same light. Just twice as long.

Sorry I’m not sure how wide the tank is.

It’s 36”

 

[ileas12:]

Hi Eleas, Are You a beginner? Consider just keeping fish for a while ,just to get a hang of the whole thing. This way You can use the light You have now !

I get that but I really want to try it and I have someone who will sell most corals to me for 10$ a frag

 

[Finhead]

It’s 36”

So you'll ideally want to get 2 of th BB. Or keep the low light corals on the side and more light demanding corals directly under it.
You shouldn't have to worry about LPS or SPS for awhile since you are still cycling the tank by the looks of it? SPS shouldn't be added until your tank is mature, 10-12 months IMO.

 

[ileas12:]

So you'll ideally want to get 2 of th BB. Or keep the low light corals on the side and more light demanding corals directly under it.
You shouldn't have to worry about LPS or SPS for awhile since you are still cycling the tank by the looks of it? SPS shouldn't be added until your tank is mature, 10-12 months IMO.

My tank finished cycling last Thursday

 

[Benga]

300w sounds like a lot what about this one I found on eBay? https://m.ebay.com/itm/180W-LED-Aqu...559224?hash=item3af48682f8:g:-BMAAOSw3ZtaMlEf

If I understood saltyfilmfolks correctly, it's 300W @ 1% power so you're not using much power. Should add to the longevity of the unit and future-proofing of your tank.

this might be informative: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/we-fi...box-led-compare-notes-brstv-investigates.367/

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If I understood saltyfilmfolks correctly, it's 300W @ 1% power so you're not using much power. Should add to the longevity of the unit and future-proofing of your tank.

this might be informative: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/we-fi...box-led-compare-notes-brstv-investigates.367/

Yup. A fwiw, my SB reeflight at a distance of 12in at 1% will give you about 200-250 par. Most all BBs are about the same.
(I’d highly suggest pulling lenses)

For the life of me , I don’t know another moderately priced (150 max)Led light for a 36 in tank that would do well.

As the tank is spanking new, I’d suggest the magic Reefing ingredient, patience.

An older maxspect razor is pretty awesome , usualy go for under $200. A new 30 32 B.B. is about 175. Hmmm.

 

[ileas12:]

Yup. A fwiw, my SB reeflight at a distance of 12in at 1% will give you about 200-250 par. Most all BBs are about the same.
(I’d highly suggest pulling lenses)

For the life of me , I don’t know another moderately priced (150 max)Led light for a 36 in tank that would do well.

As the tank is spanking new, I’d suggest the magic Reefing ingredient, patience.

An older maxspect razor is pretty awesome , usualy go for under $200. A new 30 32 B.B. is about 175. Hmmm.

So you think I should wait a little bit? Also if you don’t mind could you link the cheapest one you know of?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So you think I should wait a little bit? Also if you don’t mind could you link the cheapest one you know of?

I think you can afford the time to take a look yea. Get some basic corals going maybe.

You’ll be happier if you do I think.
New zoas in a new tank might not be a great idea anyway.

This is the no frills model at 160.
Ones with a timer and ramp used should come up at about that price

 

[ileas12:]

I think you can afford the time to take a look yea. Get some basic corals going maybe.

You’ll be happier if you do I think.
New zoas in a new tank might not be a great idea anyway.

This is the no frills model at 160.
Ones with a timer and ramp used should come up at about that price

Oh really? I was told zoas are easy n hardy

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh really? I was told zoas are easy n hardy

Ewwwww. Noooo. I guess they can be but....

 

[ileas12:]

but what? And what's another hardy option?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

But low light and in a new tank. It’s pretty iffy.

Your looking at leathers , shrooms xeanias etc.

 

[LetItReef]

Look into Kenya tree and Neon Green Nepthea.

 

[ileas12:]

awesome. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[David S]

I agree 300w is a lot for a 30g.
The 180 and 165 watt lights are quite adequate for LPS & SPS but may need to be dimmed down a bit, particularly for softies.
Here's something to consider:
If you eventually want to work your way up to raising Acros, you might want to reserve the mid portion of the tank for them as the lighting is more intense.
Around the edges and near sand bed level you can place your other corals.

 

[ileas12:]

Thanks David,
It just sounded like a power bill killing and a coral destroyer for something that small.

 

[JCM]

I understand you are antsy to get corals, but I really think you'd be throwing money away at this point. Your tank is very new. Your lighting is inadequate. And it' hard to tell from the pics, but your live rock looks suspect. Is it actually live rock? It looks very dense, ideally you want very porous rock.

I know you're on a budget but this hobby isn't cheap. With that said, look at the for sale section here, lots of adequate lights pop up for fairly cheap. A 2 or 4 bulb t5 fixture would be good, or a cheap metal halide setup. Led's can be nice, but you generally have to pay more for them.

Most Zoanthids are not super delicate, But they will need a stable tank with decent lights. Maybe try some mushrooms first, or xenia.

Best of luck

 

[Cnidoblast]

Well I’m trying to stay on a Budget. So what can I “risk” keeping? Keep in mind they need to be beginner corals

Green Star Polyps are pretty fun but can get out of control - could also try discosoma mushrooms