Lighting input question

[Silverdot1211]

I am going to be purchasing a 80 gallon cube (32x24x24) from SCA. I like the idea of the AI Primes/ red sea or smaller lights, so with that... The question is do I go with 1or 2 prime 16HD's spaced or one 32HD.
My desire is to have zoas/softies and maybe some LPS. Radions are a little spendy for me trying to stay 400 or less

 

[Malifry97]

I am going to be purchasing a 80 gallon cube (32x24x24) from SCA. I like the idea of the AI Primes/ red sea or smaller lights, so with that... The question is do I go with 1or 2 prime 16HD's spaced or one 32HD.
My desire is to have zoas/softies and maybe some LPS. Radions are a little spendy for me trying to stay 400 or less

Why not go with two or three viparspectra or marsaquas. They'll grow anything you could ever want and it would stay under your budget

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I am going to be purchasing a 80 gallon cube (32x24x24) from SCA. I like the idea of the AI Primes/ red sea or smaller lights, so with that... The question is do I go with 1or 2 prime 16HD's spaced or one 32HD.
My desire is to have zoas/softies and maybe some LPS. Radions are a little spendy for me trying to stay 400 or less

My vote:Two primes for more control over your spread.

 

[Silverdot1211]

Why not go with two or three viparspectra or marsaquas. They'll grow anything you could ever want and it would stay under your budget

I am not opposed to them and for a while I was looking into alot of the "black box" lights. Some of what I read requires some lights to have the lenses removed or flipped and others have issues with internal connections or fan issues. Just didnt really want to deal with that... I even was considering the oceanrevive but I like the ability to link multiple units seamlessly and have one place to control them all (if multiple units are needed) I could be entirely backwards on this but it seems like there are more profiles and advice and light channel recommendations for the Ais and the Red seas.. So that's why the push for them

 

[Malifry97]

I am not opposed to them and for a while I was looking into alot of the "black box" lights. Some of what I read requires some lights to have the lenses removed or flipped and others have issues with internal connections or fan issues. Just didnt really want to deal with that... I even was considering the oceanrevive but I like the ability to link multiple units seamlessly and have one place to control them all (if multiple units are needed) I could be entirely backwards on this but it seems like there are more profiles and advice and light channel recommendations for the Ais and the Red seas.. So that's why the push for them

I understand what you are saying. Marsaquas are generally reliable. AI’s and Red Seas are extremely expensive and work very similarly to black boxes. I see both sides of the arguement