New tank help!

SHildebrand

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I’ve got a Tideline 47g I’m putting together this weekend. What type of lights would you recommend for mixed reef tank. I want something good. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive though. I’m really trying to stay under 600 total for lights and if it’s less than that that would be great.
 
I’ve got a Tideline 47g I’m putting together this weekend. What type of lights would you recommend for mixed reef tank. I want something good. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive though. I’m really trying to stay under 600 total for lights and if it’s less than that that would be great.
Dimensions help..
36.5”L x 18.5”W x 15.75”H*

Besides growing things do you have any other priorities?
Preferred look, types of control if any, on tank, hung, ect.

For $400 you can get 2 40w lightbars with manual dimmers.

For $450 ($400 lights/$50 controller) you get 200 total watts with channel control ect.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBHD2V1W?th=1
Could you get away with one or like 1 150W Nicrew? Maybe but the spread is a but more shady in all likelihood.

150-200w for a 40 gal relatively shallow tank is more than enough. Good thing you can dim them.
 
I’ve got a Tideline 47g I’m putting together this weekend. What type of lights would you recommend for mixed reef tank. I want something good. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive though. I’m really trying to stay under 600 total for lights and if it’s less than that that would be great.
Dimensions help..
36.5”L x 18.5”W x 15.75”H*

Besides growing things do you have any other priorities?
Preferred look, types of control if any, on tank, hung, ect.

For $400 you can get 2 40w lightbars with manual dimmers.

For $450 ($400 lights/$50 controller) you get 200 total watts with channel control ect.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBHD2V1W?th=1
Could you get away with one or like 1 150W Nicrew? Maybe but the spread is a but more shady in all likelihood.

150-200w for a 40 gal relatively shallow tank is more than enough. Good thing you can dim them.
The dimensions for the display area are 36”x13.5”x15.5”
I cannot have ceiling mounted. I would prefer to have the lights be on an automatic timer and dimmer. App controlled would be nice not a necessity though. Originally was looking at a combination of one AI blade grow and one AI blade glow.
 
My local fish store sells them for 299
The glow is generally more expensive and afaict AI locks prices.
Screenshot 2026-07-18 124319.png
 
My local fish store sells them for 299
The glow is generally more expensive and afaict AI locks prices.
Screenshot 2026-07-18 124319.png
I have a $50 gift card too so I could get those lights for around 600 plus tax. Someone had originally suggested three lights to grow one glow, but I was just having a hard time swallowing that pill because the lights would cost me more than the tank and the tank stand so I started thinking about getting one grow and one glow and then later on I could get another grow. But I wanted to get other people‘s opinions on other brands. I’m new to the saltwater game so I couldn’t tell you the difference between a good light, a great light and a waste of money.
 
But I wanted to get other people‘s opinions on other brands. I’m new to the saltwater game so I couldn’t tell you the difference between a good light, a great light and a waste of money.
I agree with orea54, I personally would put a 200 watt light on the tank, that will allow you to grow anything you want. Nicrew, Smatfarm, Vivarspectra, popbloom are some of the lower budget lights with good reviews, I myself use the nicrew and a popbloom with very good results.
 

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