Getting back into the hobby finally! Need help with lights.

[Takito]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and need help selecting lights for my Innovative Marine 20g Encore Concept tank. I used to have a FOWLR tank and didn't worry much about lights, but I plan to get a step deeper and start with Corals. Lighting research is overwhelming, but I think I have narrowed it down a bit. My tanks dimensions are 12x12x13 each. I am on a budget, but I want to be smart about it and not end up having to pay extra for unnecesary mistakes.
A Kessil A80 for each would be great, but that would be more than $300 with goosenecks.
I saw the Hipargero Aqua Knight, much cheaper and it looks nice, I would spend $120 for 2 lights.
Finally the USA current led is my third choice, one 18-24" box for both tanks would be the cheapest option $90.
Would you please help me out with my decision making? Thank you!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Bpb]

What is your budget

 

[Takito]

What is your budget

I think I'm just going for the Aqua Knight. I will need an ATO, skimmer or mini refugium, refractrometer, test kit, salt, sand, rocks, etc. And I need to keep it cost friendly.

 

[Teaman89]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and need help selecting lights for my Innovative Marine 20g Encore Concept tank. I used to have a FOWLR tank and didn't worry much about lights, but I plan to get a step deeper and start with Corals. Lighting research is overwhelming, but I think I have narrowed it down a bit. My tanks dimensions are 12x12x13 each. I am on a budget, but I want to be smart about it and not end up having to pay extra for unnecesary mistakes.
A Kessil A80 for each would be great, but that would be more than $300 with goosenecks.
I saw the Hipargero Aqua Knight, much cheaper and it looks nice, I would spend $120 for 2 lights.
Finally the USA current led is my third choice, one 18-24" box for both tanks would be the cheapest option $90.
Would you please help me out with my decision making? Thank you!

Lights are key to a successful reef tank. I would say if you can spend a little more on lights it would be a smart call. I just order 2 AI primes for my tank. I hear really good things about them. If I coulda I woulda got the kessil’s for sure.

 

[X-37B]

Get the black box led.
More than enough power for that tank. I ran one for 2.5 years on my 18" cube. Good price + good results imo.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

AI Prime, you wont be disappointed.

 

[Karen00]

I think I'm just going for the Aqua Knight. I will need an ATO, skimmer or mini refugium, refractrometer, test kit, salt, sand, rocks, etc. And I need to keep it cost friendly.

I know this thread is a bit old but did you end up getting the Aqua Knight reef light? If so how is it working for you? I have this one on my list.