Reef lighting recommendations

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

I am looking for reef lights for my aquarium I am setting up. I currently have a biocube and I just use the built in lighting. That being said, I want to be able to expand into the corals more and I know that lights are important. I have a 48" 90 gallon tank I am working on setting up. What lights does everyone recommend that are not going to make me go completely broke? I am not looking for the most expensive top of the line models. My tank I purchased does come with a canopy so that does effect how high the lights can sit above the tank. Thanks!

 

[Dr4gula.f32]

I have 3 AI Hydra 32HD over my JBJ65. They are moderately expensive, and missing some features of their big brother radions, but they are great. This week I borrowed my LRS PAR meter and was amazed. My hotspot is about 450 PAR, and my outside edges are about 250. I plan on moving my outter lights further from the center to lessen the hotspot and move more light to the sides.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

I have 3 AI Hydra 32HD over my JBJ65. They are moderately expensive, and missing some features of their big brother radions, but they are great. This week I borrowed my LRS PAR meter and was amazed. My hotspot is about 450 PAR, and my outside edges are about 250. I plan on moving my outter lights further from the center to lessen the hotspot and move more light to the sides.

As nice as those are, currently $500 a light is probably out of my price range. 4th baby on the way and all.

 

[Freenow54]

I am looking for reef lights for my aquarium I am setting up. I currently have a biocube and I just use the built in lighting. That being said, I want to be able to expand into the corals more and I know that lights are important. I have a 48" 90 gallon tank I am working on setting up. What lights does everyone recommend that are not going to make me go completely broke? I am not looking for the most expensive top of the line models. My tank I purchased does come with a canopy so that does effect how high the lights can sit above the tank. Thanks!

You do not say if its open on the top. I wish I had one like that . I was going to make one out of acrylic but may consider one like yours but weight would be a factor to me . I have to me a pretty ugly array of lights and recently added fans to cool them , which is why I asked about an open top. The other consideration is feeding your fish . Pretty inconvenient . Maybe a drop down front or just the panels . It looks really nice . It has my head in overdrive . Only you can answere weather there is hieght restriction. Which to me and all videoes I have seen reccommend 8 inches ( that is to the bottom . In your case cooling fans for the lights change everything. As to the make of lights , from experiance I would buy the best you can afford. It saves you from being dissappointed later. Better to have Horse Power in reserve than have a scooter

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

I am looking for reef lights for my aquarium I am setting up. I currently have a biocube and I just use the built in lighting. That being said, I want to be able to expand into the corals more and I know that lights are important. I have a 48" 90 gallon tank I am working on setting up. What lights does everyone recommend that are not going to make me go completely broke? I am not looking for the most expensive top of the line models. My tank I purchased does come with a canopy so that does effect how high the lights can sit above the tank. Thanks!

You do not say if its open on the top. I wish I had one like that . I was going to make one out of acrylic but may consider one like yours but weight would be a factor to me . I have to me a pretty ugly array of lights and recently added fans to cool them , which is why I asked about an open top. The other consideration is feeding your fish . Pretty inconvenient . Maybe a drop down front or just the panels . It looks really nice . It has my head in overdrive . Only you can answere weather there is hieght restriction. Which to me and all videoes I have seen reccommend 8 inches ( that is to the bottom . In your case cooling fans for the lights change everything. As to the make of lights , from experiance I would buy the best you can afford. It saves you from being dissappointed later. Better to have Horse Power in reserve than have a scooter

The canopy opens from the front. There is a slit cut in the tope but I think that’s because they had a fluval marine light mounted in there. I only plan on putting screens over the tank, not glass lids.

 

[Freenow54]

The canopy opens from the front. There is a slit cut in the tope but I think that’s because they had a fluval marine light mounted in there. I only plan on putting screens over the tank, not glass lids.

Which is something you can make . I did . Just closing in on the ultimate design . I measured the intensity loss in Par with Glass it is 15%

 

[Baldyreef]

some good budget lights are nicrew I use them and their great

 

[56longroof]

My vote on lighting will always be halides. But there are always good lights and equipment on Marketplace cheap.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

I was also trying to determine how many lights I need for a 48” tank. Is there somewhere that would tell me how many of a certain light I may need for my tank.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

My vote on lighting will always be halides. But there are always good lights and equipment on Marketplace cheap.

I’ve been looking on the marketplace here. My local Facebook marketplace has nothing.

 

[56longroof]

I was also trying to determine how many lights I need for a 48” tank. Is there somewhere that would tell me how many of a certain light I may need for my tank.

That all depends on your end goal. Lps? SPS? Or just some easier soft corals. On my 48" tank I have 2×250 watt halides,4-55w T5, and 2 Orphek OR3 blue plus. Its SPS dominant with a few soft corals down low.

 

[56longroof]

I’ve been looking on the marketplace here. My local Facebook marketplace has nothing.

What part of Illinois are you in?

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

What part of Illinois are you in?

Border of Iowa and Illinois. Quad cities area. I think I am mostly going to stick with soft corals for the foreseeable future. I primarily have experience with freshwater so all the saltwater is new to me.

 

[dwest]

I have the same or very similar hood. When I replaced my lights a few months ago, I installed 3 nicrew 200 gen 2’s. My tank is 6 ft, so you would only need to 2. I also have a couple quanta helix bars but those were totally unnecessary. I bought an extended nicrew bar from Amazon and mounted the bar to the hood using a couple pipe hangers. You’d want a nicrew controller also.

I’m happy with the nicrews for sure. I’ve used all types in the past, including metal halide, t5 hybrid with kessils etc.

 

[56longroof]

Border of Iowa and Illinois. Quad cities area. I think I am mostly going to stick with soft corals for the foreseeable future. I primarily have experience with freshwater so all the saltwater is new to me.

Isn't there a shop near you? I think my wife stopped in one when she was a traveling nurse. Do they carry any used stuff?

 

[dwest]

That all depends on your end goal. Lps? SPS? Or just some easier soft corals. On my 48" tank I have 2×250 watt halides,4-55w T5, and 2 Orphek OR3 blue plus. Its SPS dominant with a few soft corals down low.

If you are only doing softies, I’d also consider 2 quanta bars.

 

[AquaSixAquaticsReef]

Isn't there a shop near you? I think my wife stopped in one when she was a traveling nurse. Do they carry any used stuff?

There is a shop, yes. Last time I was in there, I did not see any used lights. All new in the box and very expensive.