AI Prime 16hd Par reading and lighting options.

[Shawn4455]

So I obtained a PAr meter today and I have a 18x18x18 tank. Ill attach a pic of the tank with writing for reading. Do you think I can grow LPS and maybe one bird's nest and one clam? I'm mildly disappointed in the light, but for the price I guess you get what you pay for...I read the 16hd did a great job for 24x24 and this is 18x18 so I went for it. Im considering selling it with the mounting atm and diffuser for 200 flat and putting the money towards a AI prime 32 or a XR15 gen5. Ignore the writing on the tank, I adjusted some light values on the APP to make the Pars go up a bit. I know its a bit blue on camera but its not that blue in person. All values are assuming ill attach coral to the rock, rarely anything in the sand bed.


Should I just buy new lights to get what I want or do you think the number I am running will let me acheive my goals?

 

[Shawn4455]

Or would you had another ai prime 16hd

 

[AdamNC]

What percentage were you running when you took readings? I have one on a 10g standard but haven’t taken readings yet with my Apex PMK. So far though my 2 Acans, Blasto, Ricordea and one of three Zoa frags loves it, not sure what’s wrong with the other two. I’m running the David Saxby program maxed out at 60%.

 

[Shawn4455]

What percentage were you running when you took readings? I have one on a 10g standard but haven’t taken readings yet with my Apex PMK. So far though my 2 Acans, Blasto, Ricordea and one of three Zoa frags loves it, not sure what’s wrong with the other two. I’m running the David Saxby program maxed out at 60%.

How do you tell percentage wise?

 

[AdamNC]

How do you tell percentage wise?

With the app. Edit from above, I’m at max 50%.

 

[Shawn4455]

This are the settings

 

[AdamNC]

The top 2 ledges you should be fine for lower light SPS (smooth skin deep water acros) but imo you’ll want to upgrade if you want Torts , Tenuis and Millepora. In my 40br I’m maxing my par at 325-350 and the Torts, Slimer, Tenuis and Millepora grown and glow nice.

 

[lpsouth1978]

That looks like it should be ok for most LPS, zoas, shrooms, and softies. It might even work for an easy SPS, like a birdsnest, if placed on top of the rock. unfortunately, I don't think it can sustain a clam. Clam's are one of the more difficult and demanding things we can keep in our systems. I won't even try one anymore and I've been doing this almost 20 years.

If you are concerned and want to upgrade the lighting, I would just get another Prime and run them both at whatever intensity gets you the numbers you are after. Remember, when the manufacturer states output, it is @ 100% power on all channels, something none of us would actually run.

 

[Shawn4455]

That looks like it should be ok for most LPS, zoas, shrooms, and softies. It might even work for an easy SPS, like a birdsnest, if placed on top of the rock. unfortunately, I don't think it can sustain a clam. Clam's are one of the more difficult and demanding things we can keep in our systems. I won't even try one anymore and I've been doing this almost 20 years.

If you are concerned and want to upgrade the lighting, I would just get another Prime and run them both at whatever intensity gets you the numbers you are after. Remember, when the manufacturer states output, it is @ 100% power on all channels, something none of us would actually run.

So I found someone willing to trade their AI prime 32HD for my 16HD with cash on top, do you think the 32HD will be better to get better par? Or will it just be better for spread?