Stepping back in

[RaeRae]

So I’ve been out of it for approximately 10 years. Gonna go ahead and get back in a hobby and I noticed that the lights have changed dramatically. I’m going to go with a 65 gallon mixed reef. Of course I wanna be in a budget but I also want quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Swissoz]

So I’ve been out of it for approximately 10 years. Gonna go ahead and get back in a hobby and I noticed that the lights have changed dramatically. I’m going to go with a 65 gallon mixed reef. Of course I wanna be in a budget but I also want quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Swissoz]

First thing would be what is your budget, and does your mixed reef include sps. Welcome back to the obsession. I am in the middle of a build at the moment of 365 gallon pennisula, and am lucky I am not working to a budget but am too scared to look at how much i have already spent.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

what sps are you wanting? Acros? Easier stuff? Makes a huge difference in how you will light it and flow it? On that note, what lps do you want? Euphyllia? That heavy flow that acros thrive in could be troublesome for torches and hammers.

All that said, my advice would be to stay old school with an ati sunpower t5 for great coverage and longevity, and also an LED bar (quanta/ orphek) for additional par and coral color pop. I also really like all LED light bars.

I would also say that if you want to go mixed reef, and haven’t already bought a tank, go as big as you can afford. I have a 65 gallon (69 actually) but same 3 foot footprint and regret not just starting with a 4 foot tank. I’d love a 6 footer but it’s out of my price range for what i would do. I have a 4 footer in the garage waiting to be set up.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I started with t5’s and halides in the early 2000’s. Since the radion lights have come out I’ve used those for years. Currently I run the G6 series and I get amazing color and growth with a slightly modified AB+ setting. You really can’t go wrong with them. But no matter what light you choose depending on budget, set it and forget it.

 

[RaeRae]

I started with t5’s and halides in the early 2000’s. Since the radion lights have come out I’ve used those for years. Currently I run the G6 series and I get amazing color and growth with a slightly modified AB+ setting. You really can’t go wrong with them. But no matter what light you choose depending on budget, set it and forget it.

Can you share your reef? Sps and softies? And how deep is your tank

 

[PEPRON12]

So I’ve been out of it for approximately 10 years. Gonna go ahead and get back in a hobby and I noticed that the lights have changed dramatically. I’m going to go with a 65 gallon mixed reef. Of course I wanna be in a budget but I also want quality. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

For the price, I still like the Maxspect Jumps. I have 2. One is 2 years old on a 20gal cube and the other is 5 years old on a 75gal. I've had no issues. I do not have any SPS. I have acans, blastos, and zoas mostly. The app interface works but is not the greatest however.