Lighting suggestion for 40 Breeder AIO Setup

[caseytatum44]

Hello all, I'm just getting back into the hobby after about an 8 year hiatus. I found a great deal for a complete 110 setup (Apex, mixing stations, ecotechs, vortechs etc.) but I'm bailing on it after 6 months (making a nice profit on selling at least). The amount of water use / livestock cost/ and upkeep is just too much and even with the apex system I've had a close call with a rodi pump failure and temperature issue. The thought of having 110 gallons flooding my house stresses me out too much so I'm going to try a AIO 40 gallon for now.. I know this probably isn't a popular idea on these forums but I want to automate as much as possible and am ok with less room for coral and fish for some peace of mind.

I was thinking one AI-Blade 21 inch or 30 inch would be enough for this setup? I'm probably only going to have coral and rock mainly in the center area so I'm thinking one 21 inch may cover enough. Not trying to grow anything crazy difficult. I always loved zoa's and other soft coral. Thanks all!








110 Setup - I just sold



My 65 Gallon back around 2015-2018

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2. The 150 should work though the ends may be low PAR. I am sure there are corals that would live on the very edges. Everything in the middle 24" will be just fine

 

[Jonreefer]

I am upgrading to a 50 Breeder same thing as the 40 just 18" tall.
I have an A8SEII blue on my tank and also having my 2 21" blade grows as well. I feel like that should give plenty of light over the area and i can have lower light corals towards the ends.

I had a Nicrew Gen2 100w over my Nuvo 20 when I setup and I sent it back after a week or so. I tested the par and it was not that impressive even on such a small tank. That tank was only 24x12x13 display area. I am not sure what the hype about the Nicrew is. I found it not that impressive, the controller being connected 24/7 or it wont run the program is stupid and the white and blue ch are single ch each. so you cant adjust the cool white or warm and you can adjust the blue and royal blue independently. The Noopsyche is cheaper and much better light. I used them on previous tanks and worked great. This New Radion Clone A8 is a nice light and leaps and bounds more light output for around the same price as the Nicrew 100w

 

[caseytatum44]

Thanks guys... I actually had purchased Nicrews based on suggestions on here for the 110 but returned them once I decided to pivot smaller.

It seems like everyone uses the blades more as a supplement than stand-alone? I was thinking the shape would be perfect for my setup since the AIO takes up a lot of space in back but if I would get just as good coverage with the Niccrew I may go with that...especially if one blade wouldnt cut it. If I'm just doing the one Niccrew and don't need any fancy configuration can I get away without the controller? I've also heard I'll have to cut into the rim of the breeder to get their mount to fit.

 

[rtparty]

Thanks guys... I actually had purchased Nicrews based on suggestions on here for the 110 but returned them once I decided to pivot smaller.

It seems like everyone uses the blades more as a supplement than stand-alone? I was thinking the shape would be perfect for my setup since the AIO takes up a lot of space in back but if I would get just as good coverage with the Niccrew I may go with that...especially if one blade wouldnt cut it. If I'm just doing the one Niccrew and don't need any fancy configuration can I get away without the controller? I've also heard I'll have to cut into the rim of the breeder to get their mount to fit.

I’ve used Blades as stand alone on a 250g peninsula. It’s in My Tank Thread. I find them to be fantastic lights but have caveats

If you want more than just white and blue, you have to get 2 of them. The Grow and the Glow. That gets you violet LEDs as well. They are slightly overpriced IMO so best to grab them on a sale if possible. Or even Open Box from BRS.

The Nicrews have 5 channels on the 150 and the PAR is not low at all. Going off memory it has channels for violet, blue, whites, green, and red. Far more than just two. The 100 might be different but the price difference is so little it’s not worth stepping down to the 100.

Having the controller connected is beyond easy and not a pain at all. Way better than trusting an app that may or may not be around in the future.

 

[asmith]

Very interested in this, also getting back into the hobby with a 40B after a few years out. I have used Kessils and an AI Prime before buy not sure if thats the best for this. I've been reading a lot about the A8SE lights and there seems to be a lot of issues with those that I'd rather not deal with.

 

[caseytatum44]

How about smatfarm 140 or 2x 60w? I'd be saving $150 over the Nicrew on the light and doesn't look like i'd need a controller.... I seem to see a bit more positive talk about the Nicrew lights but the Smatfarm crew seems happy as well. The Smatfarm 140 looks to be 2 inches shorter than the Nicrew so I'm not sure if I'd be better off with 2x the 60w's..
https://www.amazon.com/SMATFARM-Lig...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Smatfarm link

 

[Jonreefer]

look at the Noopsyche

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would go with a nicrew 200 watt. Go up in wattage, not down, especially not just to save a few dollars. Trust me there will be a time when you wished you had those extra watts of power.

I don’t use the controller with my nicrew, it’s only needed to micro manage the lights, otherwise they can adjusted by push button on the light itself. I adjusted the first time and never touched it again.

 

[caseytatum44]

Thanks for the info, good to know about the nicrew without controller! I don't need to get fancy with it.

I've heard a lot about noopsyche but also saw some recent issues with shipping and I get a little nervous (especially right now) about stuff coming from China...

 

[Jonreefer]

Thanks for the info, good to know about the nicrew without controller! I don't need to get fancy with it.

I've heard a lot about noopsyche but also saw some recent issues with shipping and I get a little nervous (especially right now) about stuff coming from China...

pretty sure there is one for sale in the dry goods section for $100

 

[mikst]

I’ve used Blades as stand alone on a 250g peninsula. It’s in My Tank Thread. I find them to be fantastic lights but have caveats

If you want more than just white and blue, you have to get 2 of them. The Grow and the Glow. That gets you violet LEDs as well. They are slightly overpriced IMO so best to grab them on a sale if possible. Or even Open Box from BRS.

The Nicrews have 5 channels on the 150 and the PAR is not low at all. Going off memory it has channels for violet, blue, whites, green, and red. Far more than just two. The 100 might be different but the price difference is so little it’s not worth stepping down to the 100.

Having the controller connected is beyond easy and not a pain at all. Way better than trusting an app that may or may not be around in the future.

Thanks, this is good information. I'm scoping things out as I'm about to put together a 45 gallon (36w,