Recommend lights

[Bucky241]

Hello all, I'm still sorta new to hobby and after many attempts of trying to fix a coral problem, I have come to a (hopeful) conclusion that the issue is more than likely my lighting. I would absolutely love a light that I can have control over the spectrum over a period of time with the use of an app on my phone (the application is not necessary, just something of the sort that i can have a "sunrise" and "sunset" type slope) For a budget I would appreciate ~ $350.00 of course if there is something for less that would be amazing.

Tank dimensions 48"L X 12"W X 18"H

For those who only want the base question thank you for your time and recommendations...curious minds there's more below about my issue. Thank you!

I currently have 2 China boxes about a foot above the water surface and they do not have a control option to set a lighting schedule. My assumption is that I am giving my corals too much light for too long as I work 10 hour shifts and cannot be home to dial the knobs down. For context I have about 5 heads of hammer coral that are retracted. All the other corals seem to be fine (small zoa colony, ricordea). For the time being I reduced the light amount. They were not at full power prior, probably around 50% on the blue knob and 25% on the white.

For those who are also interested in what the issue with my coral could be here are my parameters.

Salinity - 1.027
Nitrates - 0 (I know this is not ideal and I'm struggling with even dosing to have it greater than that)
Phosphate - 0 ^
Mag - 1400
Calcium - 480
Dkh - 8

 

[FUNGI]

IMO, for $200.00, you are going to have to go used...unless you get a china box again.

 

[FUNGI]

maybe 2 off these:

NICREW 48W Saltwater Aquarium Light, Marine LED Reef Light for Corals, Programmable Timer Controller, 48 to 60-Inch​

$80ish on Amazon

 

[twentyleagues]

Unfortunately for $200 you are not going to find much with the level of control you want. Put your lights on a simple wifi timer to run a shorter schedule. Aim the mid day for when you are home for observation.

 

[Bucky241]

IMO, for $200.00, you are going to have to go used...unless you get a china box again.

I assumed that. I'd even say 350 if that opens up my window of opportunity. I'm going to edit my post so that it's at that price range

 

[Bucky241]

Unfortunately for $200 you are not going to find much with the level of control you want. Put your lights on a simple wifi timer to run a shorter schedule. Aim the mid day for when you are home for observation.

Can a wifi timer adjust the wattage of the lights so that they gradually increase and decrease in intensity throughout the day?

 

[FUNGI]

Not mine, but try these:

South Carolina - Lighting - Drygoods - G5 Aquastar Reef Lighting x2

New in box - G5 Aquastar Reef light (x2). Local only, pickup in Summerville, SC. $225 cash for both

www.reef2reef.com

 

[twentyleagues]

Can a wifi timer adjust the wattage of the lights so that they gradually increase and decrease in intensity throughout the day?

No, just the amount of time on which would be the next best thing.

For 350-400 check out the k7 pro3 here https://noopsychereeflight.com/collections/all

 

[FUNGI]

Can a wifi timer adjust the wattage of the lights so that they gradually increase and decrease in intensity throughout the day?

I would think only on and off