Lighting my IM 40gal long

[AlexC45]

Hey everyone,

Very very new to this hobby so any help is greatly appreciated. I plan of ordering my tank soon and I'm going to go with the innovative marine 40L NUVO fusion AIO. The specs say the tank is 19.7" deep (not sure how much of that is taken up with the AIO chamber in the back) and 35.4" long. From the research I've already done I think I could go with 2 AI primes and be fine. However, I was wondering if I could do one of the 30" AI blade Grow lights. This would save a little money and maybe look a little more low profile. Would love to eventually be able to grow some softies and LPS.

 

[blaxsun]

Two AI Primes would serve you well. Hydras are another option.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Are you looking to save a dollar? Or splurg?

 

[AlexC45]

Being that I'm just getting into this hobby and I'm trying to temper my excitement and ease my way in financially. I don't want to go too cheap and back myself into a corner... plus I also understand "you get what you pay for". However, I don't want to go too expensive to start. I guess based on my research so far, I was hoping to get away with setting up my lighting for around $500 if that helps.

Also, thanks for the replies and help

 

[Stephen8169301]

Being that I'm just getting into this hobby and I'm trying to temper my excitement and ease my way in financially. I don't want to go too cheap and back myself into a corner... plus I also understand "you get what you pay for". However, I don't want to go too expensive to start. I guess based on my research so far, I was hoping to get away with setting up my lighting for around $500 if that helps.

Also, thanks for the replies and help

I run smat farm on Amazon led cost about 300 on my 4ft tank

 

[srobertb]

Hey everyone,

Very very new to this hobby so any help is greatly appreciated. I plan of ordering my tank soon and I'm going to go with the innovative marine 40L NUVO fusion AIO. The specs say the tank is 19.7" deep (not sure how much of that is taken up with the AIO chamber in the back) and 35.4" long. From the research I've already done I think I could go with 2 AI primes and be fine. However, I was wondering if I could do one of the 30" AI blade Grow lights. This would save a little money and maybe look a little more low profile. Would love to eventually be able to grow some softies and LPS.

Lights are the topic of the day I guess!

You seem to be on a budget. Look at Wills or viparspectra on Amazon. They’re not expensive, tune them to a color you like and pop them on a Wi-Fi timer. Splurge and get the model with a timer built in. They grow stuff. I have proof. They’ll compete just fine against anything AI has.

Against Radions or higher end brands? Probably not. But…

Why spend $250 on budget lights (AI) when you could spend $100 on budget lights with better coverage?

You don’t need an app or Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Lights get set and then are never reprogrammed again (except for maybe acclimation).

 

[Opus]

Lights are the topic of the day I guess!

You seem to be on a budget. Look at Wills or viparspectra on Amazon. They’re not expensive, tune them to a color you like and pop them on a Wi-Fi timer. Splurge and get the model with a timer built in. They grow stuff. I have proof. They’ll compete just fine against anything AI has.

Against Radions or higher end brands? Probably not. But…

Why spend $250 on budget lights (AI) when you could spend $100 on budget lights with better coverage?

You don’t need an app or Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Lights get set and then are never reprogrammed again (except for maybe acclimation).

You are about a month late with the reply. Not sure what happen to the OP. They asked their question and then haven't been back on. Maybe they decided to hold off on getting a tank.

 

[srobertb]

You are about a month late with the reply. Not sure what happen to the OP. They asked their question and then haven't been back on. Maybe they decided to hold off on getting a tank.

Or
Got what they wanted and left. Who knows