Realistically any 36" LED run at 100% is probably high/very high lighting at 7" depth so unless you wanted to go really deep into good color reproduction there's no real need to spend that much.It's been about 10 years since I've keep a tank and the last stint was less than a year.
Tank specs: 10 gallon rimless, 36" long, 7" from the substrate to the top of water column and another 1.5" to the top of the tank.
CO2: Injected
Plants: Nothing in it, but trying to grow a Monte Carlo carpet; once successful, plan to replace with glossostigma
Want to stay under $100 and narrowed down to Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC (https://www.finnex.net/planted-hlc) vs Finnex Stingray 2 (https://www.finnex.net/stingray-v2) vs Hygger 25W (Hygger Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Aluminum Alloy Shell Extendable Brackets, White Blue Red LEDs, External Controller, for Freshwater Fish Tank and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086SVNBHC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A2ZTLQT1KDF2O9&psc=1)
There's a bit of a price range, I know. If #1 criteria is effectiveness at growing the carpet with close #2 is ease of use and #3 design, which would be best?
All opinions welcome. Thank you for looking.
I have a 30" model of nicrew classicLED planted light on my 29 gallon low tech aquarium with a dimmer and I'm really happy with the light for the price.
Whatever LED you go with, be sure to verify you can install a dimmer on the light because you're likely going to need it.