AI Prime HD or Hydra 26 HD

[seahorse_man]

Hello!

So having never used LEDs before (I used MH, T5 and Compacts) I'm stuck wondering what would be best for my situation...

Tank size is 24 x 24 x 22 H and I don't plan on keeping anything super light demanding. Mostly softies like shrooms, zoas, star polyps, gorgonians, and things of that nature. No SPS.

I have an AI Prime (that I can still return) and I'm wondering while I have the chance if I should upgrade that to the Hydra 26? I'm assuming the Hydra would be too much light, but figured I would just dial the levels back and always have it if I ever upgraded.

Thoughts?

 

[Coralreefer1]

I use the Prime and have been for years and love them. Having said this, if you have the money to get the Hydra, then go that route. As you say, you can adjust the light intensity and coloration and have the ability to use the stronger light if you get a bigger tank in the future.

 

[seahorse_man]

I use the Prime and have been for years and love them. Having said this, if you have the money to get the Hydra, then go that route. As you say, you can adjust the light intensity and coloration and have the ability to use the stronger light if you get a bigger tank in the future.

Thanks. What size tanks (dimensions?) have you used your Primes on and what kind of corals? Just curious as to how they are used and why you love them.

 

[mattzang]

i had a prime HD on a 24x24x20 cube and it seemed fine. i'm pretty sure i never killed a coral because of a lack of light. i now have 2 since i wanted to do SPS, but if you just stick to lps/softies i'd think it'd be fine. don't get too crazy with your rockscape obviously since it'll block light and the outside zones of the tank will obviously get pretty low par

that said the hydra26 would give you less shadowing so that'd be a plus and it leaves open the possibility of doing sps later on if you wanted

 

[Coralreefer1]

I use my Prime HD’s on a 4 gallon, 10 gallon and a 14 gallon reef tank. I have everything from a LTA, Ultra Rock Anemones, Seriatopora, Zoanthids and Palythoas, Gorgonians, sponges, Star Polyps and Duncan’s at the current time.
I love them because I can control them while I’m away from home, the flexibility in the coloration and intensity and the small size for my pico and nano tanks.

 

[N2950H]

I would highly suggest you not take advice from me...I'm just getting back into the hobby after being away so long that LEDs hadn't even made it into the hobby when I left.

That said, I think I'd go for the Hydra 26. The AI Prime seems like a good light for smaller tanks, but I believe the 24x24 footprint is stretching the capabilities a bit. Possibly even the 22" depth. Of course you can get around this by placing your corals toward the center and up a little higher, but for me not having to worry about it would be worth the $150 difference in lighting.