48” x 23” Lighting Help

[shrimped]

Hey everyone, just got in a 48” x 23” x 14” tank in and i’m real stuck on choosing lights lol.

Im looking for lights to support a tank mostly of softie, macro algae, and a few lps. I might add in very few easier sps such as stylos and birds nests. I’d love controllability of the lights because I’m planning to run a natural daylight look to bring out colors of corals and macro algae that don’t fluoresce. If a light fixture isn’t controllable but can achieve a natural white light look i’m fine with that as well. Been even looking at the UNS Titan 1 freshwater light.

Also looking for fixtures that are white or silver colored and around $1000 or under for everything.

I currently have a single AI Prime 16HD ready to be used along with more but i don’t have to use it.

 

[Bpb]

2 more primes would do the trick

 

[shrimped]

2 more primes would do the trick

Would you recommend 2 Hydra 32HDs + 1 AI Prime 16HD or just 3 Prime 16HDs

 

[jsker]

Would you recommend 2 Hydra 32HDs + 1 AI Prime 16HD or just 3 Prime 16HDs

I like this option, for now and the future.

 

[Bpb]

Hydras if you anticipate needing higher light. But if you’re just growing soft corals you don’t need that level of light.

 

[shrimped]

I like this option, for now and the future.

the 2 hydras 32HDs + 1 Prime 16HD or 3 prime 16HD option?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone, just got in a 48” x 23” x 14” tank in and i’m real stuck on choosing lights lol.

Im looking for lights to support a tank mostly of softie, macro algae, and a few lps. I might add in very few easier sps such as stylos and birds nests. I’d love controllability of the lights because I’m planning to run a natural daylight look to bring out colors of corals and macro algae that don’t fluoresce. If a light fixture isn’t controllable but can achieve a natural white light look i’m fine with that as well. Been even looking at the UNS Titan 1 freshwater light.

Also looking for fixtures that are white or silver colored and around $1000 or under for everything.

I currently have a single AI Prime 16HD ready to be used along with more but i don’t have to use it.

get a pair of Orphek OR3-120 - sky blue and Blue plus
Best combo and great pricing

 

[jsker]

the 2 hydras 32HDs + 1 Prime 16HD or 3 prime 16HD option?

2 hydra 32hd's + the prime in the center of the tank, will give you a nice spread of light.

 

[Spare time]

4 primes is better than 1 prime and 2 hydras in my opinion since you can have them all mounted at the same height and move them around as needed but any combo will work. You could also do a hybrid with LED strips or t5's and 3 primes.

 

[shrimped]

get a pair of Orphek OR3-120 - sky blue and Blue plus
Best combo and great pricing

Great suggestion! Orpheks sound great, i’m just worried about controllability and choosing the right combo of lights to achieve that natural white look i’m shooting for.

4 primes is better than 1 prime and 2 hydras in my opinion since you can have them all mounted at the same height and move them around as needed but any combo will work. You could also do a hybrid with LED strips or t5's and 3 primes.

You got a good point about 4 primes than 2 hydras. I was also thinking of that but heard Hydras are generally more powerful than primes. Any confirmation on this?

 

[shrimped]

This is what i’m tryna go for. No blues washing out everything but also not yellowed.

 

[shrimped]

Sorry, double post

 

[shrimped]

I got last question: here: What’s the best way to mount? Is a single Hydra 32 stronger than 2 primes? If so, is spread more valuable than par for a mostly softie/macroalgae tank?

Square = prime 16HD
Rectangle = Hydra 32HD

 

[Spare time]

Great suggestion! Orpheks sound great, i’m just worried about controllability and choosing the right combo of lights to achieve that natural white look i’m shooting for.


You got a good point about 4 primes than 2 hydras. I was also thinking of that but heard Hydras are generally more powerful than primes. Any confirmation on this?

Hydra is just 2 primes in 1

 

[shrimped]

Hydra is just 2 primes in 1

Cool, i’ll get more primes now

 

[Spare time]

Cool, i’ll get more primes now

Hydras a cheaper per puck but primes can be moved around more so its truly up to you