Lights

[William1228]

Hello, I recently set up a 20x 20x 20x 30 gallon aio cube. I bought it off of Craigslist and it came with everything but a light. I want to keep soft corals and fish. Any suggestions? I really don’t want to spend to much since I’m still in high school and only have a part time job.

 

[glb]

What’s your budget!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello, I recently set up a 20x 20x 20x 30 gallon aio cube. I bought it off of Craigslist and it came with everything but a light. I want to keep soft corals and fish. Any suggestions? I really don’t want to spend to much since I’m still in high school and only have a part time job.

Welcome to R2R!!

#WelcometoR2R

What kind of budget do you have?

 

[William1228]

Around 100 to 150

 

[William1228]

Welcome to R2R!!

#WelcometoR2R

What kind of budget do you have?

100 to 150

 

[Fudsey]

Welcome to R2R ! ! !

SBReefLights basic 16" would be a good choice :) You'd need timers to turn it off and on and has no ramp up/down.

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/1-sbox-basic.html

 

[Crabs McJones]

@Fudsey beat me to it lol that's what I'd do as well ;)

 

[Retro Reefer]

A Kessil A80 might work for softy’s they are a quality light will give up to 24x24 spread and are only about $130

 

[Crabs McJones]

A Kessil A80 might work for softy’s they are a quality light will give up to 24x24 spread and are only about $130

I'd say a160, an a80 wont cover that footprint effectively. Youd have to mount it pretty high and at that point at onlyn13 watts you loose all your par. I agree with quality light, but not for a 20x20. Maybe something like the IM10 which is 12x15 :)

 

[William1228]

I'd say a160, an a80 wont cover that footprint effectively. Youd have to mount it pretty high and at that point at onlyn13 watts you loose all your par. I agree with quality light, but not for a 20x20. Maybe something like the IM10 which is 12x15 :)

What is the IM10?

 

[Crabs McJones]

What is the IM10?

Sorry, the Innovative Marine 10 gallon all in one aquarium.

 

[William1228]

Sorry, the Innovative Marine 10 gallon all in one aquarium.

so do you think this would be my best option?
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/1-sbox-basic.html

 

[Crabs McJones]

so do you think this would be my best option?
https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/1-sbox-basic.html

Yes :)

 

[William1228]

Yes :)

Hey what about this light? I had a friend tell this one was pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFTK7CQ/?tag=lovefishtank-20&th=1&psc=1

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hey what about this light? I had a friend tell this one was pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFTK7CQ/?tag=lovefishtank-20&th=1&psc=1

The current lights are ok, but only for softies and some lps as they loose par pretty quickly the deeper in the tank. Example on the current website it says at the waters surface this light produces 400 par, but then at 3 inches under water it drops to 150, and at 6 inches it drops to 80. So it's not a very strong light.

 

[Fudsey]

I like current but I would say they are more for fish only tanks. Not enough PAR as @Crabs Mcjones stated :-)