Lighting budget of $250

[tehSAC]

so I'm putting together a 10 gallon nano this fall and I am wanting to go LED for this tank. It will be mostly Softies, LPS, and possibly a birdsnest.

I have a budget of $250 to spend on lighting. PAR38 bulbs are not an option because I want something dimable. Also as most of us we upgrade to larger tanks as time progresses so I'm want something of higher quality.

I'm stuck on these three lights and the reasons why.

AI Prime HD:

Pros
Wifi control ability out of the box
Disable and programmable

Cons
From reviews and videos it's noisy and there is a "flicker". Might just be the video quality.


Kessil A160we Tuna Blue (used)

Pros
Shimmer
Kessil quality

Cons
Price
Not controllable out of box
Loud fan

Kessil A80 Tuna Blue

Pros
Shimmer
Low profile
No fan
Price

Cons
Not controllable out of box
Might not be strong enough for a larger tank.


So I'm looking for your opinions. Possibly other suggestions as well. More or less, sell me, give me some confidence with my pending decision.

 

[Psiber_Syn]

You not looking at the black box leds?

 

[ReefQueen]

Look into sbreeflights.com, they are great lights at an even greater price. You can even get the ramping for around what you are looking to spend. Or go with the regular dimmable and have some extra money for corals:)

 

[Coastie Reefer]

AI Prime looks clean and neat. Great programming options. Mine is whisper quite. Can get light and mount for right at 250 and you can keep anything you want.

 

[tehSAC]

I should have added that I've also chosen these three lights because they can be mounted with an arm. I do not want to hang a light from my ceiling.

 

[Reefer1978]

A80 is small, cheap and powerful. I saw it at a show on a 24" frag tank and it was doing a nice job, some dark parts on far out corners, but I would be happy with it.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

I'd suggest the AI Prime. I don't own one, but I do have two Hydra 26s over my 75 gallon and I love them.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ai.
Never heard the flicker thing.

Look at the SB site though I think they do have new options and you could save some money for coral.

 

[hooligan76]

I've got two Prime HD's on my 29G and love them, for the cost and built in wifi controls they're a hard light to beat for smaller tanks.

 

[gus6464]

PAR38 are dimmable...

 

[tehSAC]

PAR38 are dimmable...

Yes there are some, I agree, but I am just not a fan of them.

As for the other replies, thank you, I believe I have decided on the Prime HD. I was leaning that way but wasn't sure when you compared it to the kessil.