Keep ATI Sunpower or switch to AI Prime HD?

[josh11293]

I have a 20gallon nuvo fusion and my current light is an ATI Sunpower 4 bulb. Its been a great light and I've seen a ton of growth and color with it. Pretty much everything is guaranteed to do well under it. Recently I've got bored with the dull look of T5s. Im in the process of moving the tank so I thought I would try LEDs again. I bought 1 AI Prime HD. It seems like a cool light with a bunch of different features. First do you think one light is enough for a 20 gallon? Also if it were up to you would you stick with the ATI or go with the prime leds?

 

[Ty Hamatake]

I think you may be pushing the limits of the Prime. I guess it would really depend on what you're growing at the end of the tank. Is there a way you could use both? I have been considering supplementing my Hydra 26s with some t5s!

 

[Paullawr]

The obvious answer here is if you have one give it a go. Worse case scenario you need to add another or supplement.

Corals won't just give up their ghost. You will notice how they react over a couple of weeks.

Personally I think one will be sufficient for all but sps.

 

[josh11293]

I have decided that I am going to keep both. I have a very established tank and I don't see it being worth it to chance just doing LEDs. Last time I had all LEDs my montiporas bleached in a matter of days. So I will now have an ATI sunpower Module about 15 inches from the water and about two inches from the sunpower module I will have an AI PRIME HD directly under it. This gives me the benefits of both lights and with the combination of fixtures I believe I will be able to grow just about anything.

Are any of you currently running a cominination of lights on a nano? If so let me know how it has worked out for you. Also let me know your thoughts on me keeping both.

 

[Paullawr]

Bleached corals under LEDs are due to the LEDs being too high. LEDs are more focused and direct spectrum. LEDs.are improving in the way they distribute light with the use of optics.

Read ap700 and radion for fixtures that are delivering in these areas.

Lighting corals was once a par game. Ie deliver stupid levels to compete with halide. This was easily accomplished with 3+ watt diodes. However a massive point was missed in distribution.

It's a learning curve and we are sadly the ones doing the animal testing on behalf of the researchers. Just like shampoo in the 80s.

Anyway if using both don't blast the LEDs.

 

[Paullawr]

Lastly don't just point finger at lighting for bleaching. Environmental - covering toxidity or salinity of water, pests, introduced animals or even stray voltages can all do the same. Lighting is almost always the single point of blame. Often when it isn't. For your info a coral can survive a long time on limited light. It won't if you cook it.

 

[josh11293]

Bleached corals under LEDs are due to the LEDs being too high. LEDs are more focused and direct spectrum. LEDs.are improving in the way they distribute light with the use of optics.

Read ap700 and radion for fixtures that are delivering in these areas.

Lighting corals was once a par game. Ie deliver stupid levels to compete with halide. This was easily accomplished with 3+ watt diodes. However a massive point was missed in distribution.

It's a learning curve and we are sadly the ones doing the animal testing on behalf of the researchers. Just like shampoo in the 80s.

Anyway if using both don't blast the LEDs.

I will admit that my last attempt at LEDs was a failure due to the LEDs being to high. Its amazing how fast LEDs will fry your corals if you don't have them dialed in right. I think where I'm heading is I want the looks that LEDs provide but the dependability that T5s offer.

 

[Paullawr]

I think the dependability really is summed up by the fact you turn them on but can't twiddle with them.

It's LEDs strong point but also their biggest weakness.

Still do want you can to keep those animals happy.