Light recomendations for new tank.

[426HEMI]

Aloha all.

Newish around here and have documented my natural saltwater tank here, https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/natural-seawater-tank-build.669721

Wife surprised me for my birthday today with a new stand and 20g tank for me to play with. My original light isn't going to cut it on the new one so I need to upgrade.

These two are what I'm looking at so far;

Amazon product

Amazon product

Those are the Reef Radiance Starfire x1 and the Kessil a160we. I like the thought of all in one and no hassle with the Reef Radiance, but I know the rep of Kessil is outstanding. The tank is 30 inches long and 12 inches deep. No plans for hard coral at this time, just softies, inverts and a fish or two.

What is everyone's experiences with these lights? Any other recomendations? I really want great coloring and growth. Will that a160 have enough spread for a 30" long tank? I assume the RR would.

Mahalo in advance for the help.

 

[426HEMI]

This looks interesting as well.

NanoBox Mini Tide Plus M

The NanoBox Tide Plus M measures only 5" x 3" x .75" but packs a punch! Every unit has five channel control, full spectrum array, wireless control and a gooseneck/wireless mounting kit. Built By Hand Every NanoBox unit is meticulously built by hand. Each part is machined, designed and...

nanobox-reef.myshopify.com

 

[Malifry97]

I’d go with a hipagero aqua knight! They are cheap and work great!
Amazon product

 

[426HEMI]

I’d go with a hipagero aqua knight! They are cheap and work great!
Amazon product

That is what I have on my current 10g and I'm not 100% sold on it yet, nor do I think it is adequate for the longer 20g.

 

[Malifry97]

That is what I have on my current 10g and I'm not 100% sold on it yet, nor do I think it is adequate for the longer 20g.

Maybe 2?

 

[426HEMI]

Maybe 2?

It is a possibility, but from what I've seen in other tanks this light just doesn't color up the coral and grow as well as others. That's why I'm thinking of taking a new direction with the new tank. The Nirvana Palys in my current tank were grown with this light (person I got the frag from has same light) and their color is no where near what it should be.

 

[Malifry97]

It is a possibility, but from what I've seen in other tanks this light just doesn't color up the coral and grow as well as others. That's why I'm thinking of taking a new direction with the new tank. The Nirvana Palys in my current tank were grown with this light (person I got the frag from has same light) and their color is no where near what it should be.

Yea I understand what you mean.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Have you looked at the Noopsyche lights or mars aqua?

 

[426HEMI]

Have you looked at the Noopsyche lights or mars aqua?

I have not, proceeding to do so now. Thank you.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Never heard of reef radiance. Would get the kessil..... and wouldn’t consider a hypagrow/whatever $60 light

I had good success with MarsAqua, but they wouldn’t be an attractive choice aesthetically

 

[426HEMI]

Never heard of reef radiance. Would get the kessil..... and wouldn’t consider a hypagrow/whatever $60 light

I had good success with MarsAqua, but they wouldn’t be an attractive choice aesthetically

Would the single Kessil be capable of covering the 30" of tank by itself?

 

[minus9]

20 long or standard? I know it's only a 5" or 6" difference, but there may be other lights to consider too? I'm a Kessil fan, so I'll always say Kessil, but the Orphek OR2 bars could be another option. You could do a combo of one blue plus and one reef day.
I started my 22g nano off with one Kessil 160, but in the end I had 3 160's and T5's. That's what you get when you go sps dominant.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Would the single Kessil be capable of covering the 30" of tank by itself?

Softies should be fine

 

[minus9]

Would the single Kessil be capable of covering the 30" of tank by itself?

You would get some light spill and the sides would be a little dark. You could add a T5 hybrid fixture like the aquatic life, but that may be too soon. Also, consider used Kessil's, you could do two 160's and be completely covered.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Kessil ober the other. The other is a way over priced Black Box. For just just a little more you can get a Hydra 32 HD and have a great light. You can also find the Hydra 26 HD on clearance for around $260. Those are my suggestions in yojr price range and are high quality.

 

[426HEMI]

20 long or standard? I know it's only a 5" or 6" difference, but there may be other lights to consider too? I'm a Kessil fan, so I'll always say Kessil, but the Orphek OR2 bars could be another option. You could do a combo of one blue plus and one reef day.
I started my 22g nano off with one Kessil 160, but in the end I had 3 160's and T5's. That's what you get when you go sps dominant.

Tank actually didn't state, I measured and it is 30" long and 12" deep, as in water depth.

 

[426HEMI]

Have you looked at the Noopsyche lights or mars aqua?

Not liking the controls for Noopsyche, nor the lack of automation for the Mars Aqua, but I do like the reviews I see for the Mars. More research, thanks for the recommendations.

 

[426HEMI]

Kessil ober the other. The other is a way over priced Black Box. For just just a little more you can get a Hydra 32 HD and have a great light. You can also find the Hydra 26 HD on clearance for around $260. Those are my suggestions in yojr price range and are high quality.

If you can show me the Hydra for $260 I'll likely go buy it now, cause I can't find anything near that price.

 

[426HEMI]

20 long or standard? I know it's only a 5" or 6" difference, but there may be other lights to consider too? I'm a Kessil fan, so I'll always say Kessil, but the Orphek OR2 bars could be another option. You could do a combo of one blue plus and one reef day.
I started my 22g nano off with one Kessil 160, but in the end I had 3 160's and T5's. That's what you get when you go sps dominant.

Checking out the Orphek OR2 now, thank you.

 

[minus9]

I'm currently running Kessil's and OR2 bars on my 90g and really like the combo.