Lighting Controversy

[fishynewby]

I'm having an inner battle with myself on getting lighting for my tank. It is 36in long 15in wide and 13in tall. I was thinking about getting two AI Primes. How would you light this tank? Plan on having Soft and LPS corals!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Go with your gut.

And your wallet.

 

[pirate2876]

The Hydra 26's have better spread.

 

[dansreef]

I have had terrific tanks of softies and LPS and some SPS under a simple 4 bulb T-5. You can pick something up pretty cost effectively new or dirt cheap used. If you want to go with LEDs.... be cautious on the intensity levels and spread as LPS and softies don't need intense light. Still... you can generally ratchet the intensity down via programming. They can be more expensive to acquire yet... probably more cost effective to run.... you don't need to replace bulbs as you would for a T-5 and most likely wont use as much energy.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[fishynewby]

The Hydra 26's have better spread.

I would think I need two hydras though

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Two primes is fine. You'll never use the power of the two Hydra. But you will get better spread.

One will work but ...spread.

 

[Roy 9121]

I think 2 AI primes would be ok. But if you could afford two hydra 26s, that would be much better.
I have one Hydra 52 on my 36x15x24 55 gallon tank, and I'm think of going to 2 Hydra 26s.

 

[fishynewby]

I think 2 AI primes would be ok. But if you could afford two hydra 26s, that would be much better.
I have one Hydra 52 on my 36x15x24 55 gallon tank, and I'm think of going to 2 Hydra 26s.

If you pay for one ill get two hydra 26s

 

[Roy 9121]

If you pay for one ill get two hydra 26s

I would if I could, but i can't, so I won't.

 

[gar732]

The hydra 52, hydra 26 and primes all use the same pucks, therefore two primes should equal one 26. I would argue that you’d get better spread with two primes then you would with a single 26 because you can space the pucks apart to cover your tank. You would definitely need two 26s for a 36” tank. The 26 is cheaper then two primes by $50 but you’d need two so now you are spending $700 instead of $400 and you have more power than you can use.

 

[fishynewby]

The hydra 52, hydra 26 and primes all use the same pucks, therefore two primes should equal one 26. I would argue that you’d get better spread with two primes then you would with a single 26 because you can space the pucks apart to cover your tank. You would definitely need two 26s for a 36” tank. The 26 is cheaper then two primes by $50 but you’d need two so now you are spending $700 instead of $400 and you have more power than you can use.

My thoughts exactly i did see a video of a guy using a single prime on a 40 breeder thought it was interesting

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sbreeflight ultra. Pretty.

Sbreeflight 30 w ramping. Ulgy box , big power

Both better coverage. Both better price.

 

[fishynewby]

Sbreeflight ultra. Pretty.

Sbreeflight 30 w ramping. Ulgy box , big power

Both better coverage. Both better price.

lol i like the "solid gold plating" option its only 35k

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

lol i like the "solid gold plating" option its only 35k

Use my name. He'll work with you.


34995

 

[gar732]

I tried some reefbreeder value fixtures years back and hated them. I sold them without even really using them because I hated the color I got from them. Now it’s been years since then and I’m sure the the black box fixtures have improved since but I’d never buy one now without first seeing it in person first. I just don’t like that you don’t have the control to fine tune your color to get look you want.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Every light has a signature look.

That's important.

 

[ATI North America]

4x39w ATI Sunpower

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

4x39w ATI Sunpower

Drop the mike and run?

Oh yea !