Best light for sps only tank

[Myghty]

Hello,
what is the best light/spread for sps only tank ? for a 6.5'x2'x2' tank (actually running 7 AI PRIME HD)

Also can goniopora or torch whistand the flow and light ?

 

[tzabor10]

Reefbriite X series are nice. Compatible with other brands as well

 

[DanyL]

There are many lights that can grow SPS really well.

For me - I’d go with either the ReeFi Uno 2.0 Pro or the ATI Straton Pro.

The ReeFi Uno 2.0 Pro - Because I find it to be the most versatile and flexible option in the market today, it has plenty of power to be able to both choose any spectrum you’d like to use, as well as to push high PAR at that spectrum, all while also allowing to either penetrate deep tanks or spreading really wide. While it’s not cheap, it is also not expensive either compared to other fixtures in that same category.

The Straton Pro recommendation is 3 fold - (1) The spread is really, really good, (2) It can deliver high PAR quite easily and last (3) it pushes a full, bright spectrum to my own liking.

But that’s my own opinion, and others will have their own.

 

[Boehmtown]

I would heavily consider the quanta pro's. I love mine, great spectrum and par for your dollar

 

[Dburr1014]

Best light is one that can blanket your tank.
It won't be one light or you get shading in areas. It will be multiple lights.

 

[Gill the 3rd]

You are going to get 20 different answers. What is your budget? You can grow sps with a $160 viparspectras or spend a lot more on higher end LEDS. I think the T5/LED combo is a great combination of not breaking the bank, but getting good light spread. The downside of an all LED setup is you may have to buy lot to get a good light spread over the entire tank.

 

[Tonycass12]

Reefbreeders is my go to. I have one over my 4'x2'x2' sps dominant system.

 

[Myghty]

dammn all these light look awesome, but im in europe, so i can keep my AI -16HD and add mutliple led bar for spread ? or maybe 2 reefbreeders

 

[Troylee]

Metal halides for me and my sps! If I went back to led’s I’d use reefi uno pros. Along side mybreefbrite xho.

 

[Tonycass12]

dammn all these light look awesome, but im in europe, so i can keep my AI -16HD and add mutliple led bar for spread ? or maybe 2 reefbreeders

I think reefbreeders has a 5' fixture now. That would cover your whole tank.

 

[rtparty]

Grab a couple AI Blades ands you’re set

 

[billyocean]

Most leds these days are fine if you get enough coverage and or supplement with led bars or t5s. As mentioned previously, viparspectras grow acros just fine as well but there are no frills on the light.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

dammn all these light look awesome, but im in europe, so i can keep my AI -16HD and add mutliple led bar for spread ? or maybe 2 reefbreeders

ReefDork had/has Reefbreeders on his tank in the UK, though I know they're under a different name that I can't remember right now. Really though you're in a good spot with what you've got, I might add a couple of LED bars to the sides (if you can find them that long) and call it a day.

 

[DanyL]

dammn all these light look awesome, but im in europe, so i can keep my AI -16HD and add mutliple led bar for spread ? or maybe 2 reefbreeders

Not everyone here is based in the US, me included. Most lights can be easily acquired either locally, or shipped internationally.


As for wether it’s worth upgrading your current setup or not - I’d rent a PAR meter and see if your problem is mostly just spread, or is there really insufficient power in the first place.

For an SPS dominant tank I’d shoot for a range of 250-600 PAR bottom to top, and if you plan to have some really high PAR acros I’d even go as far as 800 PAR.

But you can also be more conservative and shoot for around 200-400 PAR.

 

[Dburr1014]

I think reefbreeders has a 5' fixture now. That would cover your whole tank.

There new lights, meridian series, are the size they are listed at. Example, the meridian 63 is actually 63".
I got this info from Logan himself.
So for a 60" tank that would be too long. You will need to step down one size.
These are the sizes.

 

[Om84]

+1 for ATI Straton and Reefi Unos
That’s what I’m running on my sps dominant tank and have had a great experience

 

[Oldreefer44]

I would approach it from a different angle. Because there are numerous lights that grow sps these days, I would look at it from an aesthetic point of view. What do you want it to look like considering the rest of the furniture. There are very sleek lights like the aforementioned Stratons to very bulky and IMO ugly halide options and everywhere in between. Also, recommend making sure the spread fits your tank dimensions. Ito have the Stratons and love them but think that bars also can ad some color.

 

[Rewd]

I am using 4x AI Hydra 26s on a tank that is similar size but 4x2x2. I absolutely love these lights--color is exactly what I want, there is still some shimmer (but not quite metal halide or kessil level) and stuff is growing like crazy. it's actually a bit too much light as some LPS on the sand bed do not love it (trachys and lobos bleached but euphillias are happy). The best part about these lights are if you can find them used, they are absolutely dirt cheap.

 

[CBonito]

I have 2 kessil a360x over a 3 foot tank that is 12" tall and it's more than I need.
As things grow I may add another, or a couple blue strips.

 

[Rcs_12]

Illumagic blaze!