Help with Budget Lighting for Fluval 32 mixed reef

[GamerDad]

Hello All,

I have been scrounging and searching this forum, YouTube, and reddit until my eyes bleed and I still can't quite figure out what to do.

I am currently running the Fluval Marine 24” light that I got with the tank I picked up off marketplace. It looks great, but I can tell the corals I rushed into the tank probably need more PAR.

I am strapped immensely on budget so looking through all the black box lighting options have me scratching my head.

I'm not sure what wattage of lights give me the best selection and coverage while looking pleasing and I'm trying to keep between 100-200 for at least the initial purchase (if I buy in stages).

I see Nicrew, Smatfarm, and Noopsyche are all great contenders. I could do a couple of lower 60-90 watt lights for better spread. Or a 100-140 with multiple lenses in the middle for more power. Or get one to supplement my Fluval Marine and add another when the budget opens. And I have no idea what route I should go.

Please help!

TL;DR I'm wondering what wattage and number of lights I should get for best coverage under $200.

 

[commod0re]

How big is your tank? Length, width, depth

What kind of corals are you keeping?

 

[GamerDad]

How big is your tank? Length, width, depth

What kind of corals are you keeping?

The fluval is 28.9 x21.6 x12 inches

Right now I've used AI to verify what I got (went crazy at a reef show)

All frags
Zoa
Zenua
Leptoseris
Meteor shower coral
Joker Diaseris
Hammer coral (branching I think)
A type of gsp
Another clove polyp
And a slimeball monti

 

[ashs_exotics]

I have a couple of the Smatfarm G5 90W lights. You could probably get away with one on your tank, at least for a while. I believe they are rated for 24”x24”. I think they have like a 135W as well, might have more coverage.

You could also go for T5s with your budget. 4 bulb setup would probably give you the best coverage for under $200.

 

[GamerDad]

I have a couple of the Smatfarm G5 90W lights. You could probably get away with one on your tank, at least for a while. I believe they are rated for 24”x24”. I think they have like a 135W as well, might have more coverage.

You could also go for T5s with your budget. 4 bulb setup would probably give you the best coverage for under $200.

The T5s are something I have to look into. I've only looked at LEDs as what I take to be the current standard.

I was looking at the smatfarm 60w and running two or going for their 145, but I just don't know what gives ample par, pleasing look, limits shadow and also isn't overboard or overpriced.

Definitely l going to look at T5s for some research.


I just ran my setup through AI and it said start with a single AI prime hd 15. Which I do see some used in my budget locally. But one 60w doesn't seem like enough.

 

[PolypPrism]

Just hydra 26 will be plenty 14” off the top at 75% will be plenty. Might even get away with a prime.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I ran a 100 watt nicrew on my 32 for four years until it burnt out, now I run popbloom rl90. Personally I would try to find something around 100 watts, I would not go with less.
I run AI Prime on my 15 gallon and the mushrooms on the side of the tank are all reaching up, me personally I would not use this light on a 32 gallon