Going Topless on the Biocube 32, need Light Advice

[wr3ckl3ss]

Hey R2R,

So I just got my custom top for my Biocube 32 since the stock hood I have is super buggy (keeps blinking off, forcing me to reset / reprogram it). I don't have any corals yet as I've been waiting to do this first. I have about a month of cycling in and now have 2 clowns, 1 coral beauty, and a full regimen of cleaners from Reefcleaners.

I'm going to want to start with some easy stuff but want lighting that can potentially support anything I want to do. My rocks are stacked pretty high so I can place frags at many different levels.

Anyway I am looking at the AI Prime 16HD. Would one be enough you think for this tank since it's not very wide? Is there a better option for this tank?

I'm not saying money is no object lol but I am willing to spend a little extra to get something that really does a great job growing

Thanks!

 

[LegendaryCG]

A single AI Prime should provide sufficent coverage.

 

[Geebs19]

I agree. That is a great light!

 

[Topreefer92]

The AI Primes are surprisingly powerful, great light. I used 5 of them plus t5 supplementation on my 90 gallon mixed reef including acros. Grows them like weeds

 

[MERKEY]

I have a 32 cube and took the lid off and went with a hydra 32. I have radions on my larger tank and in my opinion radions are a better light. So in my opinion I would get a radion XR15 pro gen 4 for the 32 cube. The only reason I got the hydra is becaus one of my hydra 26s had issues and they replaced it with the 32. Otherwise I would have purchased a radion 15

 

[wr3ckl3ss]

Thanks everyone I’m gonna pull the trigger on it then

 

[Topreefer92]

An xr15 is double the price and double the light!! Xr15 would be more than sufficient on that tank just depends on your budget!

 

[MERKEY]

An xr15 is double the price and double the light!! Xr15 would be more than sufficient on that tank just depends on your budget!

This is so true and it does depend on what you want to keep down the road.

 

[wr3ckl3ss]

This is so true and it does depend on what you want to keep down the road.

I'd be willing to go that high if it was worth the investment over the AI Prime 16 HD, but curious does it need a separate controller?

 

[Topreefer92]

So as of right now you would need a reef link to better control that xr15. But Mobius is supposedly coming out soon which is the mobile interface just like AI has. Depends on if you want to wait for Mobius.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I'd personally just get 2x AI Prime if you have the budget for it. Then you can space it out a little bit to make sure everything is covered.

 

[Topreefer92]

Especially for sps, the ai primes would be nice to get alot of coverage once they start growing out. Either way you will have enough light!

 

[wr3ckl3ss]

So actually I ended up going with the AI Hydra 32. Just removed the hood and installing everything now. Pics to come!

 

[John3]

Got an XR15 over my 29g biocube, it’s an awesome light.

 

[wr3ckl3ss]

Just finished the install of the new top and light. Love it so far. Now just gotta do some research and figure out the best lighting schedule and how to program this thing