Help me pick a light fixture

[Redfishbluefish]

I just picked up a Seapora 33Long (48”x12x13”). I’m looking for a light fixture (or two) for it. I’m wanting something that has good color rendition. Something that makes reds and pinks pop but at a budget. I don’t really care for ramping up and down, WiFi, etc. I’m thinking about the ugly center brace too - Something that won’t cast a huge shadow into the middle of the tank. I have limited experience with Finnex and the cheaper Amazon brands but never really cared for the color rendering. Whats a good fixture for us poors?
Thanks

 

[JacksonL]

Week Aqua lights can be found quite cheap on Aliexpress. I have changed my three aquariums over to them recently and I am very happy with the colour rendition. The app isn’t great, but isn’t terrible either, just some quirks in the UI that you need to get used to. I have both the L and M series, which are basically the same lights with more or less power. They do have a range of pendant lights which may be helpful with your central brace, but I have no experience with them.

 

[hamfist]

I am a true budget user for lighting, and even Weekaqua stuff is out of my league. I use Hygger luminaires for all my tanks.

THese ..... hygger Auto On Off LED Aquarium Light - hygger

I've been really very happy with them. Yes, I could get better colour rendition if I went up a price range (or two), but they provide decent light for my CO2-injected tank needs. They have been reliable for me and the inline controller is decent too.
I don't think the front to back centre brace on your tank will not give a noticeable shadow in the tank, as with a long tank light, each point in the tank is lit by all parts of the light that can shine on it, not just the part of the light directly above. Every part of the light about a foot either way will contribute significnantly to the lighting of any point in the tank.
This is an example of the lighting I get from the Hyggers.

 

[Redfishbluefish]

How is side to side coverage on something like the M400 or M450? I would have two of course. My thinking is if I can get away from one longer fixture it I wouldn’t have to worry about the shadow from the brace.
The spot lights are interesting but I have little kids that like to lay on the floor and look up into my tanks and I would prefer them not blind.

 

[Redfishbluefish]

I am a true budget user for lighting, and even Weekaqua stuff is out of my league. I use Hygger luminaires for all my tanks.

THese ..... hygger Auto On Off LED Aquarium Light - hygger

I've been really very happy with them. Yes, I could get better colour rendition if I went up a price range (or two), but they provide decent light for my CO2-injected tank needs. They have been reliable for me and the inline controller is decent too.
I don't think the front to back centre brace on your tank will not give a noticeable shadow in the tank, as with a long tank light, each point in the tank is lit by all parts of the light that can shine on it, not just the part of the light directly above. Every part of the light about a foot either way will contribute significnantly to the lighting of any point in the tank.
This is an example of the lighting I get from the Hyggers.
View attachment 14266
View attachment 14267

What size is your tank and light? I’ll take a look at the hyggers too

 

[techman81]

How is side to side coverage on something like the M400 or M450? I would have two of course. My thinking is if I can get away from one longer fixture it I wouldn’t have to worry about the shadow from the brace.
The spot lights are interesting but I have little kids that like to lay on the floor and look up into my tanks and I would prefer them not blind.

If you're willing to spend that much on the Week Aquas, I think 2 of the M450s would work great for you. There is one thing to consider though; mounting. Using 2 separate lights means you can't mount with end brackets, and from my experience, the week aqua's rear mounting arms don't work well on rimmed tanks (they sag). That leaves the only good option as a hanging mount, which is how I mount a week aqua on my rimmed tank, hung from the ceiling.