Advise on LED lighting

Hello! Been a member here for a few years but got out of the hobby several years ago and trying to catch up on the new technology. I've always had large tanks but I'm downsizing to something I will have the time to maintain and enjoy. I am building a 40 breeder reef with a 20 long sump. My question has to do with lighting. I want to go LED and my last experience was T5 HO. What would you guys recommend for this setup with mainly softies, few small fish, star polyps, Xenia, leathers, mushrooms, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Hello, and welcome back!

The kessils are nice, you would likely want two of them as each one is recommended for up to 24x24 coverage. This applies to most of the LED pendants available.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kess...MIlKOrlpXH3gIV76GzCh2wiwsMEAQYAyABEgJHGPD_BwE

Ecotech Radion are also supposed to be very good.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/radion-xr15w-g4-pro-led-light-fixture-ecotech-marine.html

The most affordable out of the big three is the AI Prime. They are nice for the money, but exercise caution. I have seen many reports where they fail early, and apparently the company has a bad reputation for blaming any failure on water damage.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prime-hd-led-module-black-body-aqua-illumination.html

The other option is it budget option with somewhat lower-tech and configurability. Referred to as Chinese black boxes as there are several Brands available here's one. They are actually capable of growing any Coral quite well.

https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Timer-165W-Aquarium-Dimmable/dp/B00UMXAR5S

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