Do I have enough lighting?

[k_dog345]

Hey guys.

I have an oceanic biocube 14 with:

TruLumen 4-453nm Blue LED strip:
amazon.com/TrueLumen-Aquatic-10-Inch-4-453nm-LED/dp/B003XXAE84/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450154794&sr=8-2&keywords=truelumen

10k 24W flourescent lamp:
amazon.com/Coralife-10000K-Straight-Compact-Fluorescent/dp/B000O3EOKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450154946&sr=8-1&keywords=coralife+biocube+14+light

I'd like to have lighting for all SPS, anenome,etc. Basically lighting that would allow me to grow almost anything I want. Is my lighting sufficient for this? If not, could I just throw in extra LED strips for cheap? (trulumen)

Ive seen a lot of 'rapid led retrofit' suggestions hanging around, but I just don't want to spend that much money unless its REALLY worth it. I'm just clueless on this lighting stuff.

 

[reesed5]

I've always been a fan of t5s for SPS. I would try a mix of some t5s and LEDs. Two best types of lighting for coral in my opinion.

 

[Brian Kim]

I would suggest sticking with LPS if you are not planning on spending some $ for stronger lighting, I used to have those LED strips and they are only good to enhance coral colors .
I used Kessil A160WE for a 10 gallon cube and did not attempt to put any of my SPS on that tank.
Heard radions and AI are excellent growing sps if you ever decide to go that route.

 

[k_dog345]

I would suggest sticking with LPS if you are not planning on spending some $ for stronger lighting, I used to have those LED strips and they are only good to enhance coral colors .
I used Kessil A160WE for a 10 gallon cube and did not attempt to put any of my SPS on that tank.
Heard radions and AI are excellent growing sps if you ever decide to go that route.

And if I were willing to spend more what would you suggest? Retrofit kit by rapid led?

 

[Pfisherman]

I have a black box led and its sufficient, for my next tank I will be going back to T5

 

[Brian Kim]

And if I were willing to spend more what would you suggest? Retrofit kit by rapid led?

I see a lot of people going back to T5's
It's hard for me to suggest what may work for you but here are the LED lights I have and my experience with them so far
1) Ocean Revive T247, cost me only $199 and is doing well with my lps & sps. (recommended)
2) Maxspec Celestial full spectrum cost me around $220... Very disappointed, not even my zoas are doing well . (stay away)
3) Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue (40w), cost around $239, the best shimmer of them all, had it for about a week now. It did upset my Acans, almost lost them all after switching but it was my fault for not acclimating them slowly for a much powerful light.
4) Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue (90w), cost around $399, just ordered 10 minutes ago, will let you know once I try them out on my new 100 gallon tank.

My plan is to have A160 for my lps side and A360 for my sps on the other side (tank is 60"W 24"W 16"H ). I am also considering supplementing them with 4 T5's if I don't notice any growth on my sps

 

[klesel]

Kessil would work with Sps iv got mine growing 1/2 or more each month with a kessil sky blue150 over my 29 cube got 26 frags of Sps and some are not frags any more . but Love kessil but I'm old school love metal halide as well

 

[Brian Kim]

Kessil would work with Sps iv got mine growing 1/2 or more each month with a kessil sky blue150 over my 29 cube got 26 frags of Sps and some are not frags any more . but Love kessil but I'm old school love metal halide as well

That's good to know, I purchased 2 of them even after reading some reviews stating they could not grow sps using them.

 

[klesel]

Ya well you got to remember people got there own opinion some people doubt it but I speak from experience with kessil iv grown Sps for over 5 months with kessil and great color growth got so much flak for saying you can grow Sps with em but here the proof one kessil sky blue 150 over my 29 cube and all these frags were less than 1 " when I bought em .

 

[k_dog345]

Keep in mind I have a biocube 14, most suggestions do not fit my aquarium

 

[Brian Kim]

Keep in mind I have a biocube 14, most suggestions do not fit my aquarium

Only way would be to remove the top, lots of people do that.

 

[k_dog345]

Only way would be to remove the top, lots of people do that.

I really don't want to do that though :( my fish are jumpers. any suggestions that do not require that? Like I said, only thing I could find were retro kits such as rapid led and steves, if those have the lighting I need for any SPS or anemone id be happy