Best Budget LED Reef Light for 32g Cube?

[7of9]

Good Morning, Everyone!

I'm looking for a good budget reef light for my biocube 32g. I'm planning to pop the lid off soon and I'm looking for something that will support softies and look good without completely breaking the bank. Currently I'm considering the AI Prime 16HD since it's so popular and within the price range I'm looking for. Are there any other brands I should consider?

 

[BAMatter]

Good Morning, Everyone!

I'm looking for a good budget reef light for my biocube 32g. I'm planning to pop the lid off soon and I'm looking for something that will support softies and look good without completely breaking the bank. Currently I'm considering the AI Prime 16HD since it's so popular and within the price range I'm looking for. Are there any other brands I should consider?

I run 2 AI Primes but if you’re doing softies a single should be fine for ya! It is a little shadowy running only 1, and an LED bar to supplement wouldn’t hurt at all.

 

[useer10202820]

on my frag tanks/nano, I use the nicrew 50-150 watt lights depending on the tank. They also have a controller you can use to ramp up the whites and blues. Basic light, good par and good spread. They are on amazon just search for NICREW and you will see the lights. Dont go for the gooseneck ones go for the other ones.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

 

[Spare time]

The Noopsyche mini would be the best choice imo.

 

[7of9]

on my frag tanks/nano, I use the nicrew 50-150 watt lights depending on the tank. They also have a controller you can use to ramp up the whites and blues. Basic light, good par and good spread. They are on amazon just search for NICREW and you will see the lights. Dont go for the gooseneck ones go for the other ones.

Do you think 100w would be enough for a 32g biocube? It looks like the 150w could be overkill. It also looks like it might be worth purchasing their controller? Thanks!

 

[7of9]

The Noopsyche mini would be the best choice imo.

The price is definitely attractive. Would it be enough "oomph" and spread for 32g?

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

The Popbloom RL90 is pretty sweet. Big fan of mine. I have 2 on my 75G display, and I had to turn them down, really good photosynthetic response and the 4 channels give you a lot of room to meet pur needs and aesthetics.

Pretty good bang for the buck

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Nicrew Hyperreef

 

[Aquachristik]

Do you think 100w would be enough for a 32g biocube? It looks like the 150w could be overkill. It also looks like it might be worth purchasing their controller? Thanks!

I have the 150 on a 40 gal, and it is excellent. I'd recommend getting the controller for nice spectrum control, a timer, and ramping features.

 

[BanZI29]

These R24's from current are really good for something that size. good coverage in my opinion.
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/lighting/current-usa/r24-reef-led/

 

[7of9]

Nicrew Hyperreef

Which wattage would you recommend for a 32g cube? I was looking at the 100w, but would a 50w suffice? Just planning softies.

 

[jsargent1]

These R24's from current are really good for something that size. good coverage in my opinion.
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/lighting/current-usa/r24-reef-led/

I have a 52w on an IM lagoon 25, just ordered a reefbrite 24” xho bar to add to it. If you order a current r24, go with the 95 watt one and you should be all set

 

[useer10202820]

Do you think 100w would be enough for a 32g biocube? It looks like the 150w could be overkill. It also looks like it might be worth purchasing their controller? Thanks!

Yes. the 50 hyperreefer should be sufficient. Look at the specs on the spread. If you believe you will eventually go with a larger tank, you can run larger wattage at less pct.

I have 5 100 watts on 2 lowboys(3 and 2) with the 3 being on more finicky corals. the 2 on a 4 ft long tank is more than enough.

Have the 50 watt on a 20 cube
Have a 100 watt on a 6 gallon cube

The controller for nicrew is 45 bucks and you daisy chain with DC output. Great value

 

[nicodim55]

Good Morning, Everyone!

I'm looking for a good budget reef light for my biocube 32g. I'm planning to pop the lid off soon and I'm looking for something that will support softies and look good without completely breaking the bank. Currently I'm considering the AI Prime 16HD since it's so popular and within the price range I'm looking for. Are there any other brands I should consider?

If you can still find the Ocean Revive T247, that be my choice.

 

[7of9]

Yes. the 50 hyperreefer should be sufficient. Look at the specs on the spread. If you believe you will eventually go with a larger tank, you can run larger wattage at less pct.

I have 5 100 watts on 2 lowboys(3 and 2) with the 3 being on more finicky corals. the 2 on a 4 ft long tank is more than enough.

Have the 50 watt on a 20 cube
Have a 100 watt on a 6 gallon cube

The controller for nicrew is 45 bucks and you daisy chain with DC output. Great value

I'm leaning toward the 50w Nicrew with the controller. It sounds like the best mix for my budget and needs, at least for the forseeable future. Thanks!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Which wattage would you recommend for a 32g cube? I was looking at the 100w, but would a 50w suffice? Just planning softies.

I would get the 100W in case you decide to get into LPS or SPS in the future.

 

[7of9]

I would get the 100W in case you decide to get into LPS or SPS in the future.

It is a very minor bump up in price. :thinking-face:

 

[Spare time]

I still think the noopsyche mini would be better than the nicrew. Nicrew isn't bad though and has a great blue/violet range. The noopsyche mini is on sale for $77

 

[7of9]

I still think the noopsyche mini would be better than the nicrew. Nicrew isn't bad though and has a great blue/violet range. The noopsyche mini is on sale for $77

You really can't beat $77 for a reef light.