Overwhelmed by Light Choices

mocha 75 · Mar 3, 2026

Greetings all! I need some help trying to figure what might I need for a planned macro and softie coral dominate nano.

Tank is a 20 long.

I’m planning on a toadstool. Some zoathids, shrooms and something else that I haven’t decided on yet.

I want something not so blue oriented it more on the white and red spectrum.

I have an AI prime for freshwater on one of my planted tanks and thought about moving it to the macro tank. It doesn’t do full coverage but I’m ok w some shading around the sides.

But I like the shimmer of the Kissel lights.

However I don’t like the price of the Kissels.

Any suggestions on budget lighting like Nicrew, or do you think I’m safe swapping the AI to the tank? Or maybe a third option I have no idea about.

I’ve wasted a day literally having decision paralysis wanting to pick the best light for the future inhabitants of this tank

Gumbies R Us · Mar 3, 2026

#reefsquad

Mr. Mojo Rising · Mar 3, 2026

IMO, any led light of about 50 ish watts will work. Nicrew, Vivarspectra, Popbloom, Smatfarm, AI Prime, Fluval, Jebao... they all make reef lights in the 50-60 watt range, choose one, any of these will easily grow zoa's and mushrooms and something else that you haven't decided yet. Good luck

steveschuerger · Mar 3, 2026

I’ve got a 50 watt Red Sea over a 25 gallon lagoon that’s the the same length and it grows LPS just fine at rather modest settings . So pretty much any of those lights will work.

Rocks reef · Mar 3, 2026

If you already have the AI, then run with that.

oreo54 · Mar 3, 2026

mocha 75 said:
Greetings all! I need some help trying to figure what might I need for a planned macro and softie coral dominate nano.

Tank is a 20 long.

I’m planning on a toadstool. Some zoathids, shrooms and something else that I haven’t decided on yet.

I want something not so blue oriented it more on the white and red spectrum.

I have an AI prime for freshwater on one of my planted tanks and thought about moving it to the macro tank. It doesn’t do full coverage but I’m ok w some shading around the sides.

But I like the shimmer of the Kissel lights.

However I don’t like the price of the Kissels.

Any suggestions on budget lighting like Nicrew, or do you think I’m safe swapping the AI to the tank? Or maybe a third option I have no idea about.

I’ve wasted a day literally having decision paralysis wanting to pick the best light for the future inhabitants of this tank

Tanks roughly 30 x 12 x 12 and you don't seem to have any problems with whiter lighting right?
Shallow tanks (and non-demanding species) can get away with less intense light wattage.

Maybe consider a less aggressive lighting like this:
https://www.finnex.net/finnex-marine-plus-247-cmb-aquarium-led
30 watts for $120.

Or any other stick light lights..though finding 30" ones is diffficult.
24" will put you back into the shaded end thing.
Will cost more but have higher output and depending on "color choice" a broader blue spectrum.
24" Quanta Helix bar w/ limited to no controllability is $170.

going more "versatile" the GHL lightbar 3:
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/products/ghl-illumination/mitras-lightbar-3/50w / $220 euros but ANNOYINGLY does not even include a power supply..
Hmm.. actually that apparently does allow one to pick one power supply to run multiple bars.

Enjoy smooth dimming and spectrum customization when paired with a ProfiLux Controller and Mitras Lightbar accessories (Splitter, ActiveSplitter, Power Supply, and RJ45 cables). Passively cooled and and energy-saving....Power supply and other accessories are sold separately.

Thought you were overwhelmed before huh...

mocha 75 · Mar 3, 2026

I’m going to see how that Ai freshwater prime goes since I already have that. Thanks everyone!

weavertank · Mar 24, 2026

I purchased a Dalua pixel called the reefer. It has a whiter look. I like it and it is built nicely. For me the appeal was just being able to choose the percentage of power for six time slots. I just didn’t want to use a phone to dial it in. I can also add a fragger to add extra blue in later if I try lps. I haven’t had it long enough to give you a real opinion on whether it gets the job done. Look it up on Youtube…stunning tanks.

Science/G · Mar 24, 2026

If you're going to go with the AI prime fresh water, I would tone down that green and even the red quite a bit. I think you're going to get a good enough look with the blues cool whites and warm whites. It just might look funky otherwise.

Rocks reef · Mar 24, 2026

oreo54 said:
Tanks roughly 30 x 12 x 12 and you don't seem to have any problems with whiter lighting right?
Shallow tanks (and non-demanding species) can get away with less intense light wattage.

Maybe consider a less aggressive lighting like this:
https://www.finnex.net/finnex-marine-plus-247-cmb-aquarium-led
30 watts for $120.

Or any other stick light lights..though finding 30" ones is diffficult.
24" will put you back into the shaded end thing.
Will cost more but have higher output and depending on "color choice" a broader blue spectrum.
24" Quanta Helix bar w/ limited to no controllability is $170.

going more "versatile" the GHL lightbar 3:
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/products/ghl-illumination/mitras-lightbar-3/50w / $220 euros but ANNOYINGLY does not even include a power supply..
Hmm.. actually that apparently does allow one to pick one power supply to run multiple bars.

Thought you were overwhelmed before huh...

The Quanta bars are easily controlled with a Profilux light mini. I actually posted one for sale in the forums