Lighting that won't need upgrading

[JL15219]

Hi I am new to reefing and would like some advice on lighting a 29 gallon aquarium. I plan to start with soft corals and lps then eventually sps but just want get the light that will allow me to go from soft corals to sps without having to upgrade a bunch of times. If I absolutely have to upgrade I would like an option that allows me to build on the light that was already purchased if that makes sense.
Any Advice?

I would prefer something that doesn't have to be hung from the ceiling if possible.

30x12X18 LxWxH Forgot to add dimensions.

 

[Jekyl]

Tank dimensions and budget?

 

[JL15219]

Tank dimensions and budget?

30x12X18. Budget: around $400 more or less

 

[Jekyl]

2 of these should cover you for everything

ReefLED 50 LED Light Fixture

Reef-Spec Light Output For Optimal Coral Growth & Coloration Over the past few years, Red Sea has dedicated a lot of time to testing and researching LED lighting, and the culmination of those efforts resulted in the ReefLED 50. Designed for optimal growth, while producing great coloration with a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Jekyl]

If you want even higher par then T5 maybe for the price range

 

[JL15219]

If you want even higher par then T5 maybe for the price range

Yeah I read they are good for dealing with shadowing but I really don't want to be changing bulbs out every year....seems like it would add up very quickly.

 

[A. grandis]

Any light, including any LEDs, can be a definitive light for your system for a "long period (which became very relative in the hobby lately!) of time", as long as it works and you are "happy" with it, as many actually tend to say. Now... do LEDs degrade? YES! Do LEDs brake in many ways? YES. And do they need replacements after those things happen? Of course! Will you most likely get an upgrade, or will simply fix the old fixture? You will most likely buy another more exciting new version of LED that everybody is talking about, right? That is what happens! And that's why the trend is to look for the next one in line. It's a powerful maketing that works and have been sponsoring this social media in a way that the new generation sees as the norm. There is better options.

Get a 4 bulb ATI T5 Sunpower and be absolutely happy forever then.
Changing bulbs every year is cheaper and better than changing LEDs relatively often for a lot more money. T5s will give much better quality lighting.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Can’t recommend orphek or3 enough, good customer service and grows anything 2 bars(blue/day plus)would work

 

[RedReefer]

Sunpower T5

 

[JL15219]

Any light, including any LEDs, can be a definitive light for your system for a "long period (which became very relative in the hobby lately!) of time", as long as it works and you are "happy" with it, as many actually tend to say. Now... do LEDs degrade? YES! Do LEDs brake in many ways? YES. And do they need replacements after those things happen? Of course! Will you most likely get an upgrade, or will simply fix the old fixture? You will most likely buy another more exciting new version of LED that everybody is talking about, right? That is what happens! And that's why the trend is to look for the next one in line. It's a powerful maketing that works and have been sponsoring this social media in a way that the new generation sees as the norm. There is better options.

Get a 4 bulb ATI T5 Sunpower and be absolutely happy forever then.
Changing bulbs every year is cheaper and better than changing LEDs relatively often for a lot more money. T5s will give much better quality lighting.

You make some great points and yes I would upgrade after a fixture has broken but just didn't want to buy a fixture and couple of months later have to buy another one to replace the one I purchased because I didn't get the one need to grow say sps coral. I like t5s but don't like the fact you have to replace every year.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Any light, including any LEDs, can be a definitive light for your system for a "long period (which became very relative in the hobby lately!) of time", as long as it works and you are "happy" with it, as many actually tend to say. Now... do LEDs degrade? YES! Do LEDs brake in many ways? YES. And do they need replacements after those things happen? Of course! Will you most likely get an upgrade, or will simply fix the old fixture? You will most likely buy another more exciting new version of LED that everybody is talking about, right? That is what happens! And that's why the trend is to look for the next one in line. It's a powerful maketing that works and have been sponsoring this social media in a way that the new generation sees as the norm. There is better options.

Get a 4 bulb ATI T5 Sunpower and be absolutely happy forever then.
Changing bulbs every year is cheaper and better than changing LEDs relatively often for a lot more money. T5s will give much better quality lighting.

I agree with this. A 4 bulb ati t5 in that tank will grow everything. You can also pic your color with bulb combos. Super easy. Pic a color temp you like and slap 4 bulbs in there. Set it and forget it.

 

[JL15219]

I forgot to mention that I would prefer something that is not hung from the ceiling if possible

 

[JL15219]

Seems like so far the majority says ATI T5 4 bulb but do they make one that fits my tank? I've only seen 36 inches and above, I need to go search for them and see if they do and how much it would cost with bulbs and all.

 

[A. grandis]

I forgot to mention that I would prefer something that is not hung from the ceiling if possible

4 bulb ATI Sunpower will be perfect and look great covering the tank.

 

[RedReefer]

A 24" fixture will be fine.

 

[JL15219]

4 bulb ATI Sunpower will be perfect and look great covering the tank.

LOL but it has to be hung from the ceiling right?

 

[JL15219]

A 24" fixture will be fine.

Yeah but I only see them sold in 6 bulb

 

[A. grandis]

Seems like so far the majority says ATI T5 4 bulb but do they make one that fits my tank? I've only seen 36 inches and above, I need to go search for them and see if they do and how much it would cost with bulbs and all.

Your tank is on the odd size. You will need the 24".
If you can get a 40 breeder, 36"X 18"X 16", you will get the 36" 6 or 8 bulb fixture and that will be amazing!!!!

 

[JL15219]

Your tank is on the odd size. You will need the 24".
If you can get a 40 breeder, 36"X 18"X 16", you will get the 36" 6 or 8 bulb fixture and that will be amazing!!!!

Yeah I was thinking a 24" but only see it sold in 6 bulb version.

 

[A. grandis]

SunPower - ATI North America

SunPower T5 fixture for proven coral growth and coloration Time-tested, proven results With nearly 10 years of proven results, the ATI SunPower is used worldwide. When used with ATI T5 bulbs, produces significantly more light than most other equally-sized T5 fixtures. Light spread The SunPower...

www.atinorthamerica.com