Lights for Nano (Moon lights/par30/38) on a shoestring

[toastiireefs]

Hi, 

I have this 2.5/ 3gal fluval that has a freshwater light, I may have already posted this question somewhere else. BUT I am thinking of purchasing a Par 30 or 38 bulb on a gooseneck, with the hopes of doing softies-- generally a zoa garden with a goby- main goal but  MAYBE some LPS/ SPS? depending how it goes down the road- i do not need overkill lights at the current moment. But these lights only have an on off, there is no switch to only put on the actinic. I was wondering should I get an all Actinic bulb as well, or should is there something that can provide some "moon light" at night. or is that just unnecessary all together?

 

Here is the Bulb i was planning on, if anyone knows of a better one please let me know :-D

 

I am trying to do this tank on a shoestring as much as possible because it is so small, i just do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a light. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXTZN2Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2TWRNEH2276JE

 

https://www.amazon.com/LUMENTEK-Aquarium-Light-Lighting-Aquariums/dp/B01G4BRRN6/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1469562829&sr=1-1&keywords=par+38+reef+bulb

 

Any opinions and recommendations appreciated. 

[epleeds]

I'm sure someone in the club has a used one you can get a good deal on.

[AlanM]

These are pretty nice.  Chinese made, but responsive US support.  They also come with a strong gooseneck.

 

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-nano-reeffuge/11-spar38-reef.html

 

More expensive than the ones you posted, though.  That $25 one is impressive.  If it works for a year or so, you'd probably come out ahead.

[YHSublime]

You'd be surprised what you can grow softies with.

[molcott]

I have the ABI bulb on my frag tank hasnt hurt anything yet

[molcott]

also you can check out Roozen's Nursery in Ft. Washington MD they arent selling fish anymore but they still have some equipment they will probably make you a good deal

[toastiireefs]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! I am glad to know someone else has this light! The reviews looked pretty decent, and it is such a small tank that it doesnt need a lot of power! I definitely do not mind replacing that bulb every year or so!
 

Yea I think I am going to go with zoas and a goby/pistol shrimp pair. 

 

S

[toastiireefs]

These are pretty nice.  Chinese made, but responsive US support.  They also come with a strong gooseneck.

 

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-nano-reeffuge/11-spar38-reef.html

 

More expensive than the ones you posted, though.  That $25 one is impressive.  If it works for a year or so, you'd probably come out ahead.

Those lights look nice too! Rated for 5 years? That would be cheaper than replacing this one every year- unless I got more than that out of it! 

I may go for the 25$ first and see how that goes? 

[toastiireefs]

These are pretty nice.  Chinese made, but responsive US support.  They also come with a strong gooseneck.

 

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-nano-reeffuge/11-spar38-reef.html

 

More expensive than the ones you posted, though.  That $25 one is impressive.  If it works for a year or so, you'd probably come out ahead.

So two years later, and this question still has me stumped. THOUGH the 25$ one is LIGHT only, you have to pay 25$ for the gooseneck too! So I think I am going to go with the SbReef light ones, I have seen some other tanks with that. 

 

Stay posted, new thread to show yall how this pico goes!

[toastiireefs]

Alternatively this light

 

Fluval SEA Marine Nano LED Aquarium Light - 20W (does this light look any good?) 

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/5834/fluval-sea-marine-nano-led-aquarium-light-20w?pcatid=5834&c=3753+3754+3761+5834

 

or the SB Reef Box Nano Sprite

 

(this link is being saved for later: https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/5969/current-usa-truelumen-led-lunar-lights?pcatid=5969&c=3753+3754+3761+5969 ) 

[madweazl]

I cant help with the options  you've linked but will say moonlights are completely useless to the inhabitants. 

[toastiireefs]

I cant help with the options  you've linked but will say moonlights are completely useless to the inhabitants. 

Yup moonlights are more for my benefit Always liked the way they looked at night. But definitely not a requirement. 

 

I guess at the end of the day any of these will work, just worry about over powering the tiny tank. 

[madweazl]

I Kessil A80 would likely work well for your needs; They certainly arent huge in the PAR department but more than enough for LPS and softies. The spread is exponentially better than a PAR38 and will provide nice even coverage. 

Edited June 13, 2018 by madweazl