Best light for 29 gallon mixed Reef tank

Aquatic Bobs · Jan 8, 2019

Hello everyone, so I've got my 29 gallon saltwater tank that's ready 4 mixed corals now. Just wondering if one kessil a80 would be enough light for a mixed coral reef tank? What are some of your guys thoughts on this for the best lighting without breaking the bank? Thanks for your help!

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 8, 2019

You would need a 160 to be happy.
Ai prime , a Chinese or SBreeflight black box. Zetlight , marineland.

AdamNC · Jan 9, 2019

Is this a 29 gallon standard 30” long or a 29 gallon cube? If it’s a 30” you would want 2 AI Primes, 2 Kessil 160s, Maxspect RSX RS-100 or a 24” T-5 fixture. All the lights I mentioned will do a 30 inch tank with minimal shading to the corals.

Gonebad395 · Jan 9, 2019

I use 1 ai prime on my 29 gallon and it’s plenty of light at 10 inches off the water

Aquatic Bobs · Jan 9, 2019

I have a standard 29 gallon. Would 1 phlizon 165w be good?

AdamNC · Jan 9, 2019

Bob Gutsch said:
I have a standard 29 gallon. Would 1 phlizon 165w be good?

I would say more then enough, possibly may be able to do some easy SPS with it.

Aquatic Bobs · Jan 9, 2019

I'm just curious because I have 2 Phlizon 165w's over my 75 gallon standard mixed reef and so far everything seems to be doing pretty good.

JohnMzreef · Jan 13, 2019

I have a 29 gallon "all-glass" aquarium. Running a single Kessil a360we light about 10 inches off the water. I run it at about 45% intensity max.

AwildcatsZ · Jan 18, 2019

I have a standard 29 gallon and for nearly 2 years I used a single AI Hydra 26HD. Approximately 5 months ago I added a second Hydra 26HD to help with corner shadowing. The tank responded great to the second light and growth has been great!

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DesertReefT4r · Jan 19, 2019

I ran a 150w DE MH over my old 29g tank and before that a 130w PC fixture. Today I would do 2 AI Primes for high end LED and a Vipaspectra block box for a budget LED AS lighting for a mixed reef. A 4 bulb T5 would work also.