Building a 40 breeder

[Mike976x]

I'm about to start my 40 breeder build with a 20 long sump. Can't wait to start. Getting a baffle kit for the sump. Drilling and hard plumbing. Going to take my time and create an NSA rockscape. The build is as exciting as the fish/coral keeping.
My question, intrigued by the new ai blades, would 2 30" in grows with a 30" glow, as I want a full mixed reef, be enough par? 2nd, that with 3 riser kits would cost roughly 1k. Not a problem as I plan on building this once and doing it properly, but would there be better options at the 1k price point?

 

[Icedphoenix]

I think that is AI recommended combo. 2 or 3 grows to 1 glow. I went with a pair of XR15s for my tank as these lights are so new there is not any long-term reviews yet like Orphic or reef breeders. For a grand you can pick up some low hours Gen 5 XRs or some low hours Hydra 32s and have more light then you need easily.

 

[nereefpat]

but would there be better options at the 1k price point?

Maybe. For a grand, you have lots of options.
Look at 2 Reefi Unos.
32" Reefbreeders Photon.
If you love AI, I would get 2 x Hydra 32s over the Blades. Just my opinion.
There's quite a bit of quality control issues going on with the Blades. Read these 2 threads: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aqua-illumination-blade-par-readings.974456/

AquaIllumination Blade Announced

New light by AquaIllumination is announced and it is called Blade! There are two versions - Glow and Grow and they are strip LED lights that are akin to T5. Here's the first look: What do you think? https://www.aquaillumination.com/products/blade-coral-grow

www.reef2reef.com

For a grand you can pick up some low hours Gen 5 XRs or some low hours Hydra 32s and have more light then you need easily.

Radions are on sale currently. 449.99 for XR15, so you could get two for 900+ tax.

 

[Icedphoenix]

Maybe. For a grand, you have lots of options.
Look at 2 Reefi Unos.
32" Reefbreeders Photon.
If you love AI, I would get 2 x Hydra 32s over the Blades. Just my opinion.
There's quite a bit of quality control issues going on with the Blades. Read these 2 threads: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aqua-illumination-blade-par-readings.974456/

AquaIllumination Blade Announced

New light by AquaIllumination is announced and it is called Blade! There are two versions - Glow and Grow and they are strip LED lights that are akin to T5. Here's the first look: What do you think? https://www.aquaillumination.com/products/blade-coral-grow

www.reef2reef.com

Radions are on sale currently. 449.99 for XR15, so you could get two for 900+ tax.

Ya they stuck them on sale after I mentioned it but I was referring to the used market. I have both my tanks lighting set up for under a grand. Bought 2 used hydras for less then 200 each and both gen 5 XR15s that were new October of 2022 for 300 a piece. I debated blades but you can save money on lighting if you are patient and shop around for sure. Had a guy in my town selling a 48" V2 that was a year old for 400 2 months ago. I just wasn't ready to buy at the time.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I just finished my own 40 breeder build. I went with a 20 high tank for a sump, it left me enough room for a 5 gallon top off tank.

My lights are a 150 watt MH pendant with 2 OR3 bars. It cost roughly CAD1200, about USD900. I love it.