Just doesn't seem to be enough

punkieg0 · Jan 22, 2020

Hi all,
I have a JBJ 45AIO with 1 AI Prime HD on it. I am trying to grow coral- just beginner stuff as I am so new to it but I just don't think that the 1 light is enough. My hunch is that it is not but I thought I would check in with you all.
My original plan was for T5 hybrid but I am not able to hang the light and it is in my living room so I wanted something that looked a bit better and cleaner. Unless I missed a tank mount of some type for that fixture.
Currently I have 1 GSP, a duncan and a mushroom. The GSP is the only one that is hanging in there as far as I can tell. I have already reviewed water parameters and location of the coral with others so I think we are just down to the light.
I have played around with some of the different programs for the AI Prime and the only one that the GSP responds to is David Saxby - otherwise it stayed closed up.
So long story short- do I need to add a 2nd AI Prime to my set up to truly get the lighting that I need? Or would I be better with a Hydra 26 or something. I have also considered Kessil. It feels like I just need a bit more for the corals.

Crabs McJones · Jan 22, 2020

punkieg0 said:
Hi all,
I have a JBJ 45AIO with 1 AI Prime HD on it. I am trying to grow coral- just beginner stuff as I am so new to it but I just don't think that the 1 light is enough. My hunch is that it is not but I thought I would check in with you all.
My original plan was for T5 hybrid but I am not able to hang the light and it is in my living room so I wanted something that looked a bit better and cleaner. Unless I missed a tank mount of some type for that fixture.
Currently I have 1 GSP, a duncan and a mushroom. The GSP is the only one that is hanging in there as far as I can tell. I have already reviewed water parameters and location of the coral with others so I think we are just down to the light.
I have played around with some of the different programs for the AI Prime and the only one that the GSP responds to is David Saxon - otherwise it stayed closed up.
So long story short- do I need to add a 2nd AI Prime to my set up to truly get the lighting that I need? Or would I be better with a Hydra 26 or something. I have also considered Kessil. It feels like I just need a bit more for the corals.

What are the dimensions of your tanks display?

punkieg0 · Jan 22, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
What are the dimensions of your tanks display?

26.5” x 22” x 19” Ht

Quietman · Jan 22, 2020

A JBJ45 with an AI Prime should be more than enough for LPS/Softies. Have you let everything adjust for a couple weeks to new light settings. Constant tweaking can impact as much as too much or too little.

Crabs McJones · Jan 22, 2020

A single prime has a max spread of 24x24
It should be able to cover that for softies and low light lps. but if you start getting into more advance corals you'll want to add more or upgrade to a bigger unit.

punkieg0 · Jan 22, 2020

Quietman said:
A JBJ45 with an AI Prime should be more than enough for LPS/Softies. Have you let everything adjust for a couple weeks to new light settings. Constant tweaking can impact as much as too much or too little.

I have- the corals have been in for quite some time- initially I was moving them around a little bit but then I just left them. Once I adjusted the light programing I saw the GSP open up and I have left everything alone since. I want to say at this point the coral has been in 6 weeks or so? I don't think the duncan is beyond rescue but it is not opening up at all.

Crabs McJones · Jan 22, 2020

Also, what settings are you running on the light?

punkieg0 · Jan 22, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
Also, what settings are you running on the light?

I use David Saxby settings. That was the only one I seemed to have any response from the coral when I used it.

Crabs McJones · Jan 22, 2020

punkieg0 said:
I use David Saxby settings. That was the only one I seemed to have any response from the coral when I used it.

Being that you only have one unit over the tank, i'd go with a custom setting. You may have to ramp up the levels more.

punkieg0 · Jan 22, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
Being that you only have one unit over the tank, i'd go with a custom setting. You may have to ramp up the levels more.

Do you have any recommendations? I have lowered the intensity of the light for the acclimation period but I can increase that now since it has been long enough.

Crabs McJones · Jan 22, 2020

punkieg0 said:
Do you have any recommendations? I have lowered the intensity of the light for the acclimation period but I can increase that now since it has been long enough.

Do you have access or can you rent a par meter? That'd be the best way .