Starting 40 breeder with one AI Prime 16HD?

[Saltyreef24]

I am planning an upgrade from my evo 13.5 to a 40 breeder, and am looking for a light setup that will work well for my tank without breaking the bank. I like what I have read about AI Prime 16HD’s, but I can’t afford 2 of them at the moment on top of the cost of the new, bigger, tank setup. Would one AI prime be sufficient for now, and after a few months to a year I would add another? I could always stick the light from my evo on top of the 40 gal as well for extra par. If so, could this also support a bta? My clowns have been harassing my Duncan like they want it to host them, so I would like to satisfy their anemone-craving

Stocking is as follows:
- purple stylophora
- green Duncan
- green mouthed candy cane
- kryptonite candy cane
- Kenya tree
- Pulsing Xenia,

Pincushion urchin
Various snails/cuc
2 ocellaris clowns
1 firefish
1 yellow watchman goby

I would like to spend no more than $300 on lighting at the moment, but may free up more funds later on.

If there is a better lighting option that 2 ai primes please let me know

 

[KochergenJ]

I'm running two noophysche k7 minis on my setup. Can't say they are better than primes as I have never ran them.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

2 primes would be very minimal, 3 would be better, 4 would be best.

There are some very good no-name brand lights on amazon that are very good quality, such as nicrew, vivarspectra, smatfarm, etc.... One of these at 150 watts should come within your budget and will be good enough to grow anything on a 40 breeder. There are several reviews in this forum, use the search function to do a bit of reading on each

 

[oreo54]

I'm running two noophysche k7 minis on my setup. Can't say they are better than primes as I have never ran them.

Currently 2 would cost $530. $265 each
Add $60-$80 for arms .
So one is $295
Max wattage 55/ each
2 Nicrew 50's plus controller is approx
$250 total ...
For comparison
Amazon product

Btw my bad....answered wrong person This was for o/p.

 

[Saltyreef24]

I'm running two noophysche k7 minis on my setup. Can't say they are better than primes as I have never ran them.

Okay very nice. What’s corals have you been able to grow with this setup?

 

[Saltyreef24]

Currently 2 would cost $530. $265 each
Add $60-$80 for arms .
So one is $295
Max wattage 55/ each
2 Nicrew 50's plus controller is approx
$250 total ...
For comparison
Amazon product

Btw my bad....answered wrong person This was for o/p.

Thank you for suggesting the nicrew. I have a 6 gal cube with a $17 nicrew light that has kept a couple of corals going since April. Are (and similar cheap Chinese brands) lights sufficient for sps and anemones? I know you can always throw a lot of watts, but will the spectrum be okay for these organisms with just white and blue LED’s?

 

[oreo54]

Thank you for suggesting the nicrew. I have a 6 gal cube with a $17 nicrew light that has kept a couple of corals going since April. Are (and similar cheap Chinese brands) lights sufficient for sps and anemones? I know you can always throw a lot of watts, but will the spectrum be okay for these organisms with just white and blue LED’s?

Id suggest doing a search to get at least some idea of their abilities .
As to spectrum ..yea " blue" weighted

 

[VintageReefer]

I grew everything in a 40b with a photon 32. Softies, lps, sps.

 

[KochergenJ]

Okay very nice. What’s corals have you been able to grow with this setup?

Just starting but right now zoas, favia and gsp. All seem to be doing great so far.