Lighting options opinions

[ReefCAKE]

Hello all! I currently have a 32 Biocube that is running a hydra 26HD. I have a 80gal (48x24x 16) rimless that is going to be replacing it soon. I will be moving the Hydra to the 80 but can decided if i should buy another Hydra or two AI Primes. I was thinking that two primes would give me better coverage overall. The tank will be soft and LPS dominated. Thanks for any opinions on my oprtions for this new tank. *and look for a build thread to start soon!

 

[RobZilla04]

No experience with either light but from my readings on this (and other) forums, the AI Primes are not supportive of SPS. If you plan on sticking with LPS & soft, you could get away with a pair.

 

[lickyricky]

Hello all! I currently have a 32 Biocube that is running a hydra 26HD. I have a 80gal (48x24x 16) rimless that is going to be replacing it soon. I will be moving the Hydra to the 80 but can decided if i should buy another Hydra or two AI Primes. I was thinking that two primes would give me better coverage overall. The tank will be soft and LPS dominated. Thanks for any opinions on my oprtions for this new tank. *and look for a build thread to start soon!

Run 2 hydras together. Their software is easy to link them and they put out exactly the light that is set when working together.

 

[ReefCAKE]

Run 2 hydras together. Their software is easy to link them and they put out exactly the light that is set when working together.

I though that all AI lights run on the same software.

 

[lickyricky]

I though that all AI lights run on the same software.

They do! But if you are gonna run SPS the primes are not great, not as many spectrums available

 

[ReefCAKE]

They do! But if you are gonna run SPS the primes are not great, not as many spectrums available

No SPS planned for this tank, will be mostly LPS and softies. Lots of shrooms, rics, zoas, and euphyllia. Isn't the Hydra basically two primes in one fixture? My understanding is running two Primes would be like spreading out one Hydra.... So the 48" tank would have either two hydras or one hydra and two primes.

 

[lickyricky]

No SPS planned for this tank, will be mostly LPS and softies. Lots of shrooms, rics, zoas, and euphyllia. Isn't the Hydra basically two primes in one fixture? My understanding is running two Primes would be like spreading out one Hydra.... So the 48" tank would have either two hydras or one hydra and two primes.

1 prime = 100 PAR Max
1 hydra 26 = 360 PAR Max

So no, 2 primes don’t = 1 hydra 26

 

[mcarroll]

Apples to apples...100 to 150 to 300...pretty linear for one puck, two pucks and four pucks.

(Price is what's not quite proportional.)

 

[ReefCAKE]

Apples to apples...100 to 150 to 300...pretty linear for one puck, two pucks and four pucks.

(Price is what's not quite proportional.)

So if I am reading this right..... The AI primes might be the way to go as they wont be covering a 24"square as I will have the Hydra int he center of the tank. Thanks for the info!