Cheap Lighting

[oreo54]

Ok... Is there a cheaper option? Or should I get either of these?
Link
Link

Also, do normal aquarium lights like this Link grow soft coral like star polyps? It has a white blue and red mode and a red, blue only mode.

I need to defer to others on light intensity and spectrum, and if this is what you are referring to..

Lighting Requirements​

The Green Star Polyps require moderate to high light. If it is possible, go for higher intensity lighting conditions. More intense lighting often results in brighter more intense coloration.


Actinic blue lighting will bring out the color of your polyps but Green Star Polyps can survive with most types of light. You can also use traditional T5 fluorescent light.


Another light type that may be used are metal Halides, but metal Halides are usually too strong for the polyps and are not recommended. If the light you are using is too strong, you will notice your coral start to go pale and ‘bleach’ themselves.

Strip lights are better for rectangular tanks. Puck styles are better for cube shaped tanks..
If you have cube this seems pretty good for both fish and coral color..
not seeing you "short" on light as long as real watts are over like 15..

you know you never posted the tank dimensions btw..

 

[Stellar Aquatics]

Ok! Thx for the great suggestion.
Do you know the product name or something?

 

[Stellar Aquatics]

Ok! Thx for the great suggestion.
Do you know the product name or something?

Just type in Aquaknight led and it will come up. There's a "V2" nano version that's updated, and the one I screenshotted which is the original one, I believe the brand is 'hipargero'

 

[oreo54]

 

[clownfish81]

Amazon.com: LED Aquarium Light Bulb, KINGBO 18W Refugium Light Aquarium LED Light Fish Tank Bulb with 6 Band Full Spectrum for Coral Reef Saltwater Tank Plants Growth: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: LED Aquarium Light Bulb, KINGBO 18W Refugium Light Aquarium LED Light Fish Tank Bulb with 6 Band Full Spectrum for Coral Reef Saltwater Tank Plants Growth: Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Ive used par38s in the past. I used ecoexotics with 60° optics.
Id maybe save up and wait till i had $60-$80 but its a nano. Lol
-d

So is this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M0PF72P/ref=psdcmw_2975458011_t1_B093BKSW7J good enough for softies?
Its the link you includend

 

[clownfish81]

I

I need to defer to others on light intensity and spectrum, and if this is what you are referring to..


Strip lights are better for rectangular tanks. Puck styles are better for cube shaped tanks..
If you have cube this seems pretty good for both fish and coral color..
not seeing you "short" on light as long as real watts are over like 15..

you know you never posted the tank dimensions btw..
View attachment 2221451I

I was considering this but a lot of reviews said that it doesn't bring out growth very well

 

[oreo54]

I

I was considering this but a lot of reviews said that it doesn't bring out growth very well

Some par #'s.

Works great for low light nano tank
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017
Color: S20 Saltwater


3mo Update
Can't complain about light, quite a few new heads on the duncan. The Kenya tree is open every day. This was taken out of my main tank and was already huge...but it's doing very well with this light.

Added an updated picture

I bought this to use on a 10g Innovative Marine AIO. PAR reading was 220 directly below the light 1" under the water. Drops off considerably on the sand bed. Sand bed had a reading of 102 directly under the light. Corners of the tank had a reading of 53.

Overall, color spectrum is eye pleasing, ability to control multiple channels is a nice feature on a sub $50 light. Duncan's and Zoanthids are fully open. The color blending is awesome on this light, there isn't any disco ball effect.

I'll be purchasing another one to bump up the output and see how some euphyllia do.

49 people found this helpful

 

[Stellar Aquatics]

Thank you! Wanted to post this, was at work lol

 

[clownfish81]

Just type in Aquaknight led and it will come up. There's a "V2" nano version that's updated, and the one I screenshotted which is the original one, I believe the brand is 'hipargero'

Ok Ill try

 

[clownfish81]

Better
View attachment 2221410

so is this a reasonable option?

 

[clownfish81]

Ok. For the final decision
Do you think this is good enough to light a part of my tank with medium to high intensity?
Link
I'm mostly going to easy SPS coral such as Zoas, Green Star Polyps, Torch corals, disk corals and possibly an anemone because I have a clownfish pair.

 

[clownfish81]

Also, there is an option to add 2 UV lights to the bulb for around $1. Should I do that or no

 

[Bruce99]

Hey did you end up getting that light? I have a similar one

 

[clownfish81]

Hey did you end up getting that light? I have a similar one

If it's the black screw in light bulb thing, I didn't. I got a 3 bulb ehime T5 unit and a 60$ LED bar.

ゼンスイ LEDランプ nano SLIM オーシャンブルー ナノスリム 300

ペット用品の専門店チャームは、犬・猫・小動物・鳥・爬虫類・両生類・昆虫などのペット用品のほか、熱帯魚・水草などのアクアリウム用品、ガーデニング用品を品揃え豊富にご用意。土日祝日も毎日発送、最短翌日お届け。

www.shopping-charm.jp

 

[Bruce99]

If it's the black screw in light bulb thing, I didn't. I got a 3 bulb ehime T5 unit and a 60$ LED bar.

ゼンスイ LEDランプ nano SLIM オーシャンブルー ナノスリム 300

ペット用品の専門店チャームは、犬・猫・小動物・鳥・爬虫類・両生類・昆虫などのペット用品のほか、熱帯魚・水草などのアクアリウム用品、ガーデニング用品を品揃え豊富にご用意。土日祝日も毎日発送、最短翌日お届け。

www.shopping-charm.jp

Okay thanks, I’d say the bulb does a pretty good job too.

 

[clownfish81]

Okay thanks, I’d say the bulb does a pretty good job too.

I saw a video review from the Reef Dork and was a bit reluctant so I just went with that.