Need Help Selecting Proper Light

[itsTD]

Hello all! Fairly new to the hobby. I just set up a new 75-gallon (48” long) and I’m looking for a solid, affordable light. The tank sits under my living room TV so I don’t have much clearance — ideally a low-profile blade style fixture that won’t stick up too high.

I’m brand new to corals and planning to start easy with softies only, so I don’t need anything crazy — just something that will give decent PAR for soft corals, reliable spectrum, and won’t break the bank.

Any recommendations for specific models or brands (new or lightly used), what PAR I should aim for at the rockwork for soft corals, and any mounting/low-clearance tricks you’ve used? i’m not looking for something crazy, just something that I’ll give off some good light at a good price. I am not opposed to upgrading to something premium a few years down the road.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[DustinR]

Check out the Quanta Helix lights. They are fantastic. You get way more wattage for your dollar. https://www.quanta-lights.com/

To see how they look in a setup, see my build thread.

 

[itsTD]

Check out the Quanta Helix lights. They are fantastic. You get way more wattage for your dollar. https://www.quanta-lights.com/

Awesome thanks!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I like nicrew as the solid low budget option, a pair of 100 watts should provide sufficient light for what you want.

 

[painter1982]

You can’t go wrong with ATI t5 bulbs.You can get a cheap fixture on Amazon or eBay.

 

[twentyleagues]

You wont get a lower profile than the AI blades not cheap but very effective.

 

[itsTD]

I like nicrew as the solid low budget option, a pair of 100 watts should provide sufficient light for what you want.

Is this the low profile type nicrew? Or the hang on back option? I am just going to have a hard time with space since my TV only sits about a foot above the tank

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is this the low profile type nicrew? Or the hang on back option? I am just going to have a hard time with space since my TV only sits about a foot above the tank

The one I have is the hang on back, I just measured it, mine comes 10" high from the tank. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[VintageReefer]

This is pretty slim but it’s 10” above the tank. You could get wide lenses and mount lower it you want

Reefbreeders Meridian. You would need the Meridian 35, or dual Meridian 11’s with the bracket kit that connects them (shown).

Down the line you could add on the led bars (shown) and it doesn’t add any thickness and they blend in seamlessly, and daisychain power from the main light

I added the bars because I have a lot of coral to light in a fully packed tank. You could keep 85% this tank (75g, 48x20) without the bars (just Meridian 35, or just 2x Meridian 11)

 

[oreo54]

Hello all! Fairly new to the hobby. I just set up a new 75-gallon (48” long) and I’m looking for a solid, affordable light. The tank sits under my living room TV so I don’t have much clearance — ideally a low-profile blade style fixture that won’t stick up too high.

I’m brand new to corals and planning to start easy with softies only, so I don’t need anything crazy — just something that will give decent PAR for soft corals, reliable spectrum, and won’t break the bank.

Any recommendations for specific models or brands (new or lightly used), what PAR I should aim for at the rockwork for soft corals, and any mounting/low-clearance tricks you’ve used? i’m not looking for something crazy, just something that I’ll give off some good light at a good price. I am not opposed to upgrading to something premium a few years down the road.

Thanks for all your help!

Well you pretty much eliminates lights with 90 or narrower optics.
Those around 120 allow for a low profile.
5-7 inch height or so.

48" x 18" x 21"

Lights like this AP-120 (160w) @ $400 is an example.

Air Pro LED Aquarium Light | MicMol

The MicMol Air Pro LED aquarium light features full HD spectrum with HD glass, 2023 latest 10 bands LED array, and iMicMol app control. Available in multiple sizes for tanks 18-55 inches.

www.micmol.com

Anyone use MicMol LED?

Anyone know about this MicMol brand? from Hongkong.. looks slick but i haven't seen any users. http://www.micmol.com

forums.reefcentral.com

They have actually been around a long time with little US traction.

you may want to consider lights that have shades available.. ether oem or aftermarket.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EngineeredPrintings?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1887073722&from_page=listing&dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1887073722%2Fmicmol-g3-300-aqua-air-angled-light%3Fls%3Ds%26ga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Dmicmol%26ref%3Dsr_gallery-1-1%26sts%3D1%26nob%3D1%26content_source%3Df5a0475c-6a95-471a-bfe0-976e70b42cd2%25253A3112989f494d848629450238a28080f0fc215197%26organic_search_click%3D1%26logging_key%3Df5a0475c-6a95-471a-bfe0-976e70b42cd2%253A3112989f494d848629450238a28080f0fc215197

 

[itsTD]

This is pretty slim but it’s 10” above the tank. You could get wide lenses and mount lower it you want

Reefbreeders Meridian. You would need the Meridian 35, or dual Meridian 11’s with the bracket kit that connects them (shown).

Down the line you could add on the led bars (shown) and it doesn’t add any thickness and they blend in seamlessly, and daisychain power from the main light

I added the bars because I have a lot of coral to light in a fully packed tank. You could keep 85% this tank (75g, 48x20) without the bars (just Meridian 35, or just 2x Meridian 11)

Thanks for the info! Beautiful set up my friend!

 

[itsTD]

Well you pretty much eliminates lights with 90 or narrower optics.
Those around 120 allow for a low profile.
5-7 inch height or so.



Lights like this AP-120 (160w) @ $400 is an example.

Air Pro LED Aquarium Light | MicMol

The MicMol Air Pro LED aquarium light features full HD spectrum with HD glass, 2023 latest 10 bands LED array, and iMicMol app control. Available in multiple sizes for tanks 18-55 inches.

www.micmol.com

Anyone use MicMol LED?

Anyone know about this MicMol brand? from Hongkong.. looks slick but i haven't seen any users. http://www.micmol.com

forums.reefcentral.com

They have actually been around a long time with little US traction.

you may want to consider lights that have shades available.. ether oem or aftermarket.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EngineeredPrintings?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1887073722&from_page=listing&dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1887073722%2Fmicmol-g3-300-aqua-air-angled-light%3Fls%3Ds%26ga_order%3Dmost_relevant%26ga_search_type%3Dall%26ga_view_type%3Dgallery%26ga_search_query%3Dmicmol%26ref%3Dsr_gallery-1-1%26sts%3D1%26nob%3D1%26content_source%3Df5a0475c-6a95-471a-bfe0-976e70b42cd2%25253A3112989f494d848629450238a28080f0fc215197%26organic_search_click%3D1%26logging_key%3Df5a0475c-6a95-471a-bfe0-976e70b42cd2%253A3112989f494d848629450238a28080f0fc215197

Great, thank you for all the info! I may just need to raise my tv a bit for more clearance it sounds like as well. Much for variety of options.