Beginnier help on lights

[Ant2323]

So if he removes the top does that limit the type of fish he can get in there. Are there types of fish he should avoid they would potentially jump out of the water. I know in his 32 gallon bio cube he had diamond gobies , which we know are known for jumping, and we lost two of them Behind the filtering of the bio cube. Luckily, we were able to find them and keep them alive temporarily but I have no issues with it not having the lid just would wanna make sure we don’t risk any fish jumping out.

 

[Subsea]

So if he removes the top does that limit the type of fish he can get in there. Are there types of fish he should avoid they would potentially jump out of the water. I know in his 32 gallon bio cube he had diamond gobies , which we know are known for jumping, and we lost two of them Behind the filtering of the bio cube. Luckily, we were able to find them and keep them alive temporarily but I have no issues with it not having the lid just would wanna make sure we don’t risk any fish jumping out.

There are no perfect solutions. There are pros & cons to all choices. Good fortune on your choices.

 

[ieatbugman]

Smatfarm is a nice-ish budget option, I've had mine for about a year and it works great. A lot of the bar lights will have really low par value's (definitely exceptions) but if all he wants is softies then a bar light would work fine

 

[WvAquatics]

I guess where im confused at now is to figure out how to mount them over the tank since he has the lid on it unless it’s not necessary to have the lid. I apologize for all the beginner sounding questions. He is 14 and just getting started but has become very knowledgeable with Fish and corals, but the actual setting up part is still very new This is all still very new to me.

I would mount on the back 2 that sit flush with the wall. This is why I think a ky mini or any light with flexible arm. Maybe try to cut out the lid to fit the light fixture. And yes the lid will determine the fish. A lot of fish jump. Gobys are known. My foxface jumped also.

 

[Ant2323]

Here’s a link to the current USA we looked at

Orbit Marine IC PRO Dual LED Light with LOOP Light and Wave Pump HUB 36" to 48"

The Orbit Marine IC PRO produces a vibrant, full reef-specific color spectrum using two LED fixtures, delivering up to twice the amount of light. It’s also wave pump ready and ready to connect up to 3 eFlux wave pumps.

current-usa.com

 

[ieatbugman]

I started out at around 15 with saltwater, and saying from experience you should get a light that can grow everything (or has the par value to) because you will want to grow and try all sorts of coral.

 

[WvAquatics]

Here’s a link to the current USA we looked at

Orbit Marine IC PRO Dual LED Light with LOOP Light and Wave Pump HUB 36" to 48"

The Orbit Marine IC PRO produces a vibrant, full reef-specific color spectrum using two LED fixtures, delivering up to twice the amount of light. It’s also wave pump ready and ready to connect up to 3 eFlux wave pumps.

current-usa.com

Fluval and current usa lights should be dropped from your list. They will end up in your fish pile and wasted $. Like posted above is would get a light with the possibility of handling a full sps tank. Even if lps and softies are the goal. The ability to house higher light is nice on first purchase rather than 2nd. Current usa won't grow corals well. 161$ for current usa 166$ noopsyche k7mini for 2 of them. Current usa might grow softies. Noopsyche will grow a full sps aquarium for the same price.

 

[Subsea]

With respect to fish jumping, some install eggcrate (light diffuser) to fit over the water surface in place of solid sheet.

 

[Ant2323]

With respect to fish jumping, some install eggcrate (light diffuser) to fit over the water surface in place of solid sheet.

I tried taking the top off and to me it’s just way too loud. The tank is in our living room so I’m trying to make it as quiet as possible. I might be just nitpicking at this point and because I’m so new to everything maybe they are just normal sounds but I’m also wondering if there’s too much water in the tank which is causing the overflow to be louder

 

[ScottJ]

As to a cover, most people use some kind of open cover, a screen cover, or egg crate. You can find DIY options for either by searching. Egg crate is easy, just cut to fit and hold together with zip ties as necessary. Screen can be done with window screen kits and 3d printed corners. You can get a custom lid made from many vendors. They are very nice, but can be pricy.

Glass lids just don't lend themselves to saltwater, heat buildup, salt buildup fogging. Just nasty.

And ALL fish will jump in the right circumstances. Fish don't know that if they jump, they might NOT land back in the water.

 

[SudzFD]

Ill have to look for the arm mounts didn’t see them on their amazon store

The smatfarm mounts come with the light.

 

[SudzFD]

I guess where im confused at now is to figure out how to mount them over the tank since he has the lid on it unless it’s not necessary to have the lid. I apologize for all the beginner sounding questions. He is 14 and just getting started but has become very knowledgeable with Fish and corals, but the actual setting up part is still very new This is all still very new to me.

So the arm mounts will attach to the back tank walls. And you will need to slide the aquarium out from the wall an inch or two. I’d recommend this regardless so you can easily run and add things to the back in the future.

They also have a hanging mount which could be cool for this setup. Just select which one you’d like.

If hanging on the back of the tank with the arms the lights will be square with the walls but not the front if the tank. Might look odd but functionally it’s ok.

If you get the suspended hanging mounts you could suspend them from the ceiling square with the front of the tank. That would look cool so your preference. Either smatfarm setup is the same price.

Also the glass lid is no problem. I use lids in both of my tanks.

 

[SudzFD]

Fluval and current usa lights should be dropped from your list. They will end up in your fish pile and wasted $. Like posted above is would get a light with the possibility of handling a full sps tank. Even if lps and softies are the goal. The ability to house higher light is nice on first purchase rather than 2nd. Current usa won't grow corals well. 161$ for current usa 166$ noopsyche k7mini for 2 of them. Current usa might grow softies. Noopsyche will grow a full sps aquarium for the same price.

Yep. Used both of these lights. They are no good. Don’t waste your money.

 

[Ant2323]

Amazon product

$90 buys 165W black box. Buy two for 4’ tank and use dimmer function to choose lower intensity.

PS: This is a 30G growout tank.

I found them on amazon with a remote and ability to set them on timers for sunrise sunset etc Any recommendations on the settings?? I like that you mentioned they could sit right on top of the glass so 2 of these might ne the way to go thanks again

Also getting two would you say side by side long way to or front to back (if that makes sense)

https://a.co/d/dm2GjqR

https://a.co/d/fwgQsQl

 

[Ant2323]

Some lights should not be placed directly on the glass due to heat gain in the fixture. The black box lights I recommended are VERY powerful and could be placed directly on the glass due to quiet & powerful cooling fans. However, the fixture is bulky looking with such a classy looking system. Start a tank journal and better describe the system.

The arm mounts allow glass to be removed. This will increase evaporation and evaporative cooling, as opposed to expensive titanium chillers.

I don’t use covers as I want my systems to run cool and I prefer the economy of evaporative cooling. However, it will add moisture to the bedroom and it will require more water make up for evaporation.

I found them on amazon with a remote and ability to set them on timers for sunrise sunset etc Any recommendations on the settings?? I like that you mentioned they could sit right on top of the glass so 2 of these might ne the way to go thanks again

Also getting two would you say side by side long way to or front to back (if that makes sense)

https://a.co/d/dm2GjqR
https://a.co/d/fwgQsQl

 

[BryanM]

I guess where im confused at now is to figure out how to mount them over the tank since he has the lid on it unless it’s not necessary to have the lid. I apologize for all the beginner sounding questions. He is 14 and just getting started but has become very knowledgeable with Fish and corals, but the actual setting up part is still very new This is all still very new to me.

With fish I would 100% keep the lid. Carpet surfers are not desirable.

 

[Dom]

I also probably should’ve mentioned that it’s a corner tank. See attached photo. It’s approx 48 in long from the longest point 30 in wide from longest point and 24 in height

I was leaning towards two of the current USA 36-48 which gives 72 watts total from some of the websites I’ve been on. They seem to be pretty popular just worried about their strength.

Current USA lights are under powered, but I've had good experiences with them. I used four lights on a tank that was 12 inches deep and had a 48" x 12" footprint.

I don't know what the depth of your tank is, but if it exceeds 16 inches, I'd choose a more powerful light.

If it were my tank, I wouldn't use any strip lights as so much of the fixture will hang outside the tank and waste light.

I would choose a fixture that it round (think Kessil A80). They offer more position flexibility, allowing you to get more fixture directly over the water.

 

[Ant2323]

Decided on 2 of these Can anyone recommend ideal settings for them

Phlizon Timer Control Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light with Temperature Monitor Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light for Grow Coral Reef Marine Fish Tank LPS/SPS​

Amazon.com

 

[dedragon]

2x popbloom rl90 with tank mount for $300 is a pretty good deal. You can get them even cheaper using their auctions (they do them every week on ebay)

The phlizon (and other black box leds) is powerful and hard to use without proper mounting height and a par meter. Ive also heard of them causing fires before but that was a long time ago and these look newer.

PopBloom RL90 Full Spectrum Marine Aquarium Light LED Reef Aquarium Coral Tank | eBay

RL90 series is capable of producing a limitless number of spectral combinations to fit your tank’s exacting needs. RL90 is 90W LED Integrated lamp beads with quartz optical lens in array create a powerful light source with wide coverage.

www.ebay.com

PopBloom Marine Led Light Aquarium Lamp Reef Led Lights for Coral Fish Aquarium | eBay

For 24’’ Marine Reef Tank. For 36’’ Marine Reef Tank. For 48’’ Marine Reef Tank. For 60’’ Marine Reef Tank. For 72’’ Marine Reef Tank. The RL90 LED is a powerful, professional LED lighting unit for your aquarium.

www.ebay.com