Lighting for 30g tank

[Aldo0990]

Hey guys, I’m currently setting up my first reef tank, it is 32x16x16 with a backsump. An employee at my LFS told me that I should get a hydra 64 but I think that is way too much light for this tank, I’m thinking about getting 2 AI prime 16’s and I’m only planning on having softies and Lps.
What do ya’ll think?

 

[Spare time]

A hydra 64 would be ridiculous.

Can you tell me more about what features you want, as well as how you plan on mounting or hanging the light? Any price range preferred?

 

[polyppal]

32 is a weird coverage for a single light (I have a 32) id go with a Hydra32 or 2 primes, whatever comes out cheaper with the mounts. If your planning on upgrading down the road the primes are much more flexible in a new tank than hydras

 

[Aldo0990]

A hydra 64 would be ridiculous.

Can you tell me more about what features you want, as well as how you plan on mounting or hanging the light? Any price range preferred?

I thought that as well.
I’m planning on building a simple reef nothing too high tech, I was thinking about getting the regular mounts for the prime 16 that hang on the tank, I don’t want anything too expensive but I don’t want to go cheap either, so something between 300 and 600 dollars for the lighting

 

[Aldo0990]

32 is a weird coverage for a single light (I have a 32) id go with a Hydra32 or 2 primes, whatever comes out cheaper with the mounts. If your planning on upgrading down the ready the primes are much more flexible in a new tank than hydras

Yeah I think 2 primes would give me a better spread so the middle of my tank doesn’t get cooked lol, thanks so much for the advise

 

[Hooz]

Two Primes mounted 10" above the water and centered about 9" in from each end would give pretty good coverage for an LPS/softie tank.

 

[AydenLincoln]

AI Prime! I think you could get away with just one especially if you want to hang it from the ceiling in the middle of the tank they have kits for that but if you do mount it two may be better.

 

[PatW]

Two AI primes would be plenty. I have a prime refugium light and it really gets the chaeto growing and it has been very reliable. If you decide to later go to SPS, you might not have enough light but adding another prime and spacing the other two would probably do it.