Best light for a 20GAL Long

[CamoFan]

I have 2 maxspect jump blue lights from my 75 but I worry that just one of those lights would bake the tank at 65w. It's only a 20GAL. I have a coralife light over the tank right now but it only has white light with mixed blue and all blues or off. Does anyone recommend a light for corals/nems for a 20 long?

 

[reefsaver]

My personal favorite lighting would be Ecotech Radion Gen 6's but only one and you'd only really need an XR15.
I'd personally go with the "Blue" version for home aesthetics but the G6 XR30 Pro's are one of the industrial aquaculture standards in lighting and in my opinion one of the best lights. The spectrum controllability and automation will give you peace of mind. I currently keep a Rose tipped forest fire bubble anemone and it seems to thrive under my G6 XR30 in a 25 Gallon. I'm running the lighting at about 25% but I've slowly been lifting it 1% every now and then to get some pleasing visuals.
I need a blue light filter honestly because it's impossible to capture on my phone lol

 

[cuzzoo3345]

I use a current USA Orbit R24 and it does pretty well on my 20 gallon reef tank

 

[CamoFan]

My personal favorite lighting would be Ecotech Radion Gen 6's but only one and you'd only really need an XR15.
I'd personally go with the "Blue" version for home aesthetics but the G6 XR30 Pro's are one of the industrial aquaculture standards in lighting and in my opinion one of the best lights. The spectrum controllability and automation will give you peace of mind. I currently keep a Rose tipped forest fire bubble anemone and it seems to thrive under my G6 XR30 in a 25 Gallon. I'm running the lighting at about 25% but I've slowly been lifting it 1% every now and then to get some pleasing visuals.
I need a blue light filter honestly because it's impossible to capture on my phone lol

Phew! That's a good looking light! Unfortunately, I don't think the $500 price tag is in the books right now. A local fish shop has some AI Primes for around 200-300. Would those also be acceptable for a 20 long?

 

[CamoFan]

I use a current USA Orbit R24 and it does pretty well on my 20 gallon reef tank

How's the light spread on that? Does it cover the whole tank?

 

[CO2TLEY]

Why not use the maxspects and just turn them down? I had two ai primes over a 20 cube

 

[TX_REEF]

What do you want to grow? There really are countless options, and what you buy should really depend on your intended livestock!

 

[CamoFan]

Why not use the maxspects and just turn them down? I had two ai primes over a 20 cube

True enough. The app is the biggest pain to hookup and use the sliders.

 

[CamoFan]

What do you want to grow? There really are countless options, and what you buy should really depend on your intended livestock!

Just basic corals and a nem. Tank is still too new for corals or nem.

 

[reefsaver]

I don't think one 16HD AI Prime will give you the coverage you want, especially if you want to grow SPS corals.
So if you're going to end up buying two, I maybe would opt for a 32HD Hydra because it'll be cheaper than two AI Primes anyway maybe check me if I'm wrong.

 

[TX_REEF]

Why not use the maxspects and just turn them down? I had two ai primes over a 20 cube

This is a good move, certainly an option. If you want something with more controllability, check these out too

Noopsyche k7. great budget option: https://noopsychereeflight.com/products/k7-pro-iii-full-set-aquarium-led-coral-light

Noopsyche k7 mini. If you won't have any SPS, this will probably do the trick: https://noopsychereeflight.com/products/k7mini

As a Kessil Fanboy, I would be remiss if I didn't say that if I had a 20 long and wanted to grow easy corals and a nem, I would go with 2x Kessil A80s. Lovely shimmer, with evidence of superior color devleopment. I am also a fan of the super easy to use dials for spectrum and intensity. Set them how you like, and combine with a simple wifi-controlled outlet for schedule: https://amzn.to/4c9Gt8K

Kasa wifi powerstrip: https://amzn.to/3yVXVPS

 

[CamoFan]

I don't think one 16HD AI Prime will give you the coverage you want, especially if you want to grow SPS corals.
So if you're going to end up buying two, I maybe would opt for a 32HD Hydra because it'll be cheaper than two AI Primes anyway maybe check me if I'm wrong.

Just looked up the lights to double check and the Nicrew 150W popped up. I feel like I've heard decent things about those.

 

[CamoFan]

This is a good move, certainly an option. If you want something with more controllability, check these out too

Noopsyche k7. great budget option: https://noopsychereeflight.com/products/k7-pro-iii-full-set-aquarium-led-coral-light

Noopsyche k7 mini. If you won't have any SPS, this will probably do the trick: https://noopsychereeflight.com/products/k7mini

As a Kessil Fanboy, I would be remiss if I didn't say that if I had a 20 long and wanted to grow easy corals and a nem, I would go with 2x Kessil A80s. Lovely shimmer, with evidence of superior color devleopment. I am also a fan of the super easy to use dials for spectrum and intensity. Set them how you like, and combine with a simple wifi-controlled outlet for schedule: https://amzn.to/4c9Gt8K

Kasa wifi powerstrip: https://amzn.to/3yVXVPS

I will admit to loving Kessil as well and I thought about the A80s as well. Had the K7 Pro II and it was alright. Corals never really took to it but I don't have a PAR meter to dial in. Caused a big hotspot in the middle of my 40 breeder I had at the time.

 

[reefsaver]

Nicrew lights are probably the best budget friendly lights on the market but they're mainly ideal for low light tank setups. But you will probably need stronger lighting for Anemones similar to SPS lighting.
My XR15 recommendation might not provide full coverage for a 20G long when I think about it.
I actually bought my XR30 when they came out on finance in 4 payments and it put me in a hole for a while.
Probably wouldn't recommend doing that lol. But my reef ever since has felt more complete. Like the lighting aspect atleast is entirely covered and I don't regret it.

 

[CamoFan]

Nicrew lights are probably the best budget friendly lights on the market but they're mainly ideal for low light tank setups

Got it. I wasn't really looking at high light corals like SPS. I was thinking more like frogspawn/hammer, GSP, Acanthastrea and micromussa lordhowensis.

 

[cuzzoo3345]

How's the light spread on that? Does it cover the whole tank?

The spread is good and it does cover the whole tank. I’ve not had any problems with it!

 

[CamoFan]

The spread is good and it does cover the whole tank. I’ve not had any problems with it!

Would you mind sharing a pic? Might just go with my maxspect lights until I can find a good choice. Leaning towards x2 kessil A80, Nicrew and my maxspects.

 

[cuzzoo3345]

Would you mind sharing a pic? Might just go with my maxspect lights until I can find a good choice. Leaning towards x2 kessil A80, Nicrew and my maxspects.

My light setup , I got a good deal on my light from my buddy. So that’s why I went with the R24

 

[CamoFan]

My light setup , I got a good deal on my light from my buddy. So that’s why I went with the R24

Huh, neat little light! I just hung one of my maxspects (albeit rather poorly, will fix) and it’s a night and day difference.