10 Gallon Lighting

[slapshot16]

I working on a 10 gallon nano. It started off as my QT tank and I could not resist going with a small reef. Plans: inverts, mushrooms, soft corals, 2 clowns and maybe the dreaded anenome. I am researching light requirements and I narrowed my choice down to:

Coralife 20 inch 1x96W 50/50 w/ moonlight.

Coralife USA Orbit 20" 2x40W 50/50 w/ moonlight.

Costs are very similiar. $100 to $120 with shipping.

Same brand, but is there a preferred light? Comments please.

 

[ReefMan29]

We use the 20' coralife and it works just fine. Mushrooms are doing good. I wish though we had more lighting. I would recommend 2 of the 20' PC strip lights.

 

[Meloco14]

Either choice will be great for your choice of corals. If you go with the 96w it is a quad bulb and that limits your choices for replacement bulbs, if that matters to you. Most species of anemone's will benefit from the most light you can give them. If it was me and I was planning for an anemone, I would pack as much light as I could over the tank. But I think you will be happy with either of those lights.

 

[slapshot16]

Here is the set up so far:

20#s live sand
12#s live rock
Whisper 3 HOB filter
50 Watt Heater
Old strip light and canopy
1 yellow tail
1 blue damsel

A couple of photos: