I have a Fluval Flex 32.5, it has been running for 2 years now, and for those 2 years, I have used the stock Fluval Marine 3.0 LED that comes with the tank for lighting. It’s performed decent enough, but growth is very slow in my tank so it’s not optimal. To give further background, I have a completely mixed reef of all 3 families of coral, although the only SPS I have are Bird’s Nest and Pocillopora. Nothing that requires extremely high lighting. As of the last month, some of the corals are no longer fully extending, and I’m pretty sure the culprit is the light is finally diminishing in intensity. So I need to upgrade or replace it. I NEED a lid and the only light that fits the stock lid is adding a 2nd Marine 3.0. Now, I’m not opposed to running the double 3.0 set-up, but I’m also aware that they’re not exactly the best lights out there, even if I double the output by doing 2 of them. This is my first ever reef tank, and although after 2 years I’m no longer a complete rookie to all this, I have only ever used this one light, so I’m pretty clueless as to all the other brands/types out there lol. So I’m looking for suggestions for the best type of lighting available if I were to do anything other than another 3.0. But they also need to fall under these requirements:
1: As I said, I NEED a lid. Given that the only light that fits in the stock lid is a 3.0, I’d be willing to build a DIY mesh lid, so that’s no issue.
2: Due to my set-up and location, I can’t do a hanging light set-up, so whatever suggestions are given, I would need to be able to rest it on top of the mesh lid, meaning it would need to be able to get wet like the 3.0 can.
3: For longevity and economics’ sake, I’m really mainly looking for LED suggestions, no T5s or Halides, etc. I know LED lasts the longest and need less frequent replacements.
Thank you in advance for any and all help!
1: As I said, I NEED a lid. Given that the only light that fits in the stock lid is a 3.0, I’d be willing to build a DIY mesh lid, so that’s no issue.
2: Due to my set-up and location, I can’t do a hanging light set-up, so whatever suggestions are given, I would need to be able to rest it on top of the mesh lid, meaning it would need to be able to get wet like the 3.0 can.
3: For longevity and economics’ sake, I’m really mainly looking for LED suggestions, no T5s or Halides, etc. I know LED lasts the longest and need less frequent replacements.
Thank you in advance for any and all help!