2 AI prime or 1 hydra 32?

[LaxFrags]

Sorry for the second post but wanted to just clear my head…

Tank dimensions are 20x18x19.

So my question is, 2ai prime 16hd or 1 hydra 32hd? What will give me better coverage and better par? It’s gonna be mainly LPS with some sps and a lot of zoas. Thanks

 

[LuizW13]

Generally speaking, the consensus among most reefers is that 2 smaller fixtures is more beneficial than 1 large fixture. With two, you can space them out and get better spread and coverage.

 

[Dolphins18]

Hydra 32 will cover the area just fine for what you want to do. Primes would give you slightly better coverage, but if it were me i'd save the money and extra mounts and do the hydra.
If you were covering a 30" area, definitely the primes, but at 20" hydra will be more than enough for zoas on the edges.

 

[LuizW13]

I have a 26hd on 24” long tank, and it covers it pretty well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My best results were on 32HD in lieu of 2 seperate primes

 

[MichaelReefer]

If you plan on ever upgrading, I would get a Hydra 32. Otherwise two AI Primes work.

 

[ISFNick]

BRS has good videos on AI Prime mounting tips and spectrum. You'd get better spread with multiple primes.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

If your tank is an AIO consider how any equipment in the back might restrict the placement of lights if you plan to use tank mounts. For my AIO tank the skimmer has kept me from being able to space two ideally and poor spacing can cause hot spots.